Pharrell Williams knocks celebrity political endorsements: ‘Nobody asked you’

WASHINGTON (TND) — Singer and producer Pharrell Williams last week slammed celebrities who dabble in politics, saying their opinions are not being sought out.

The comment came in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter during which the singer touched on the upcoming November election. Williams likened himself to a “federal employee” due to his inclination toward civil service.

“I’m more of a humanitarian,” he said. “I like people trying to help people. Not sure I’ll ever vote far right. I won’t do that.”

But I don’t really do politics,” he added. “Some policies I lean into. I think education is important.”

When asked whether he would allow a political party to use his music, Williams repeated his distaste for the political world.

“I don’t do politics,” he said. “In fact, I get annoyed sometimes when I see celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for]. There are celebrities that I respect that have an opinion, but not all of them.”

I’m one of them people [who says], ‘What the heck? Shut up. Nobody asked you,’” Williams added. “When people get out there and get self-righteous and they roll up their sleeves and s—, and they are out there walking around with a placard: ‘Shut up!’”

READ MORE | Fact Check Team: Celebrity endorsements heat up as 2024 election nears

Williams’s interview was released the same day Taylor Swift announced her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Swift in an Instagram post jabbed Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, by signing the message “Childless Cat Lady,” a nod to a controversial remark made by the Republican in 2021.

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift wrote. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”

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