Democrats risk star power outshining issues at party convention in Chicago

As Democrats prepare to kick off their 2024 convention Monday in Chicago on Monday, organizers risk having star power take the spotlight off of the issues impacting average Americans — so much so that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is reportedly trying to limit celebrity involvement.

One month ago, Republicans nominated former President Trump at a convention that mostly featured everyday Americans struggling to survive insecurity and inflation.

Among the participants was an Arizona rancher near the border who discussed the impact of illegal immigration on his operations and a teacher who advocated for expanding school choice programs in the country.

Relatives of Marine Corps Sergeant Nicole Gee, who died during the Afghanistan withdraw in 2021, also made an appearance.

The Democratic Party has not yet released it’s full main stage agenda showing who landed speaking roles at the United Center, but Hollywood-types are already lining up to participate in a host of events throughout the week-long confab.

The roster of celebrity entertainers at the Democratic convention is shaping up to far exceed the GOP convention, which included a performance from musician Kid Rock and speeches from wrestler Hulk Hogan as well as model Amber Rose.

Grammy award-winning recording artist John Legend is performing at a concert hosted by Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Pritzker, with a net worth of $3.5 billion is the nation's wealthiest politician, according to Forbes magazine.

The Creative Coalition non-profit group is reportedly hosting events during the week with a delegation that is expected to include Hollywood actresses and actors Uzo Aduba, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chris Witaske, Yvette Nicole Brown, Anthony Anderson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Busy Philipps, Jon Cryer, David Cross, Yolonda Ross, Iain Armitage, and Danai Gurira.

The group is also expected to co-host an event with Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer in partnership with Reproductive Freedom for All, End Citizens United and Gabrielle Giffords’ gun safety organization, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The event will include musical performances by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Drive-By Truckers and SistaStrings.

Actor and singer Billy Porter is scheduled to appear at a luncheon honoring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. while actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus -- the star of the popular TV mockumentary "Veep" -- will be moderating a panel with female Democratic governors, including Gretchen Wilmer of Michigan.

Rapper Lil’ Jon is going to DJ at the Southern Soul Party sponsored by Georgia’s state Democratic Party.

Actress Reese Witherspoon and television director Ryan Murphy are also expected to attend the convention in some capacity, according to several reports.

Grammy award-winning recording artist Beyonce is rumored to have some sort of role in the week-long festivities and there is speculation that Grammy award-winning musician Taylor Swift might also make an appearance.

Beyonce performed during former President Obama’s inauguration in 2009 and endorsed President Biden in 2020. Swift started to speak publicly about politics during former President Trump’s first term.

Apparently more famous names have expressed interest in taking part in the convention in some way but the Harris campaign, according to gossip website TMZ, is reportedly being selective, quoting an unnamed source who allegedly said Harris is working hard to avoid the Chicago-based DNC being painted as a "Hollywood liberal elite" event.