On Monday night, Lady Gaga ignited the stage at Kamala Harris' rally in Philadelphia, her powerful vocals echoing through the air as she belted out "God Bless America" and "Edge of Glory." Addressing the swaying masses of voters from a pivotal state, Gaga passionately declared, "The fate of our country rests upon your shoulders."
Harris' election eve rally, spanning multiple cities, shone brightly with a stellar lineup that included not only Gaga but also Katy Perry, Jon Bon Jovi, Christina Aguilera, and other luminaries, who mesmerized crowds in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Milwaukee.
After her stirring rendition of the patriotic anthem, Gaga addressed the gathered throng with emotion, "For more than half of this nation's existence, women were silenced. Yet, we nurtured our children, held our families together, and stood by men as they steered the decisions. But tomorrow, women will stand at the helm, shaping this crucial decision."
She further elaborated, "Today, I hold dear within my heart all the resilient, unyielding women who have shaped me into who I am. My vote goes to a leader who will be a president for everyone, for all Americans alike."
With Gaga's words still resonating, she introduced Doug Emhoff, who spoke passionately about his wife's readiness to lead from the White House. Following Emhoff, Oprah Winfrey captivated the audience by introducing will.i.am, who performed his inspiring new song, "YES SHE CAN." The vice president then took the mic for the evening's closing speech, her voice imbued with urgency as she addressed the Philadelphians, "Pennsylvania, you hold the key to shaping this election's outcome."
In her passionate address, Winfrey emphasized the crucial role of Pennsylvania voters, amid polls indicating a neck-and-neck race between Harris and Donald Trump. "If we fail to turn out tomorrow," she warned, "we might lose the chance to cast our ballots ever again. And let me stress this: if you neglect to ensure that those in your life can access the polls, it is a grave mistake. Opting out of decision-making is, in essence, giving others the power to shape your future."
Following Harris's inspiring speech, Gaga returned to the stage to deliver an intimate acoustic rendition of "Edge of Glory," which carried the festive atmosphere into the midnight hour, officially ushering in Election Day.
For weeks, the star-laden lineup for the Kamala Harris concert had remained a closely guarded secret. However, on Monday, the performers were unveiled, revealing not just one concert rally but a coordinated series across seven pivotal states.
The livestreamed "Vote for Freedom" rallies—the campaign's final push to ignite grassroots enthusiasm and mobilize voters before Election Day—featured a diverse array of performances. In Atlanta, 2 Chainz, Anthony Hamilton, Ciara, and Joy of Jesse & Joy entertained the crowd. In Raleigh, Fantasia Barrino, James Taylor, Remi Wolf, and Sugarland took the stage. Las Vegas witnessed performances by Christina Aguilera, Los Tigres Del Norte, and SOFI TUKKER, with Eva Longoria delivering a powerful speech. La Original Banda El Limón rocked Phoenix, while Eric Benet performed at a Milwaukee event hosted by Tim and Gwen Walz. In Detroit, Jon Bon Jovi, The War and Treaty, and the Detroit Youth Choir captivated the audience.
However, the heart of the event was centered on two rallies in Pennsylvania. Harris made her initial stop in Pittsburgh, where Katy Perry, Andra Day, and D-Nice entertained the crowd, before concluding her tour in Philadelphia with a star-studded lineup including Winfrey, Gaga, DJ Cassidy, Fat Joe, Ricky Martin, The Roots, Freeway, Just Blaze, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazmine Sullivan, and Adam Blackstone.
The election eve rallies of 2024 were preceded by a surge of Hollywood support for the vice president in the final days leading to November 5. Beyoncé, a heavy-hitter supporter, endorsed Harris at a Houston rally. Harris herself appeared on Saturday Night Live, prompting NBC to grant equal time to Donald Trump the following Sunday. Other high-profile endorsements came from Harrison Ford, Jennifer Lawrence, and Will.i.am.
A senior campaign official recently spoke about the impact of celebrities mobilizing voters for Harris, noting how the strategic incorporation of DJs, videos, songs, and celebrities throughout her campaign fostered an atmosphere of hope and optimism. This approach underscored Harris's message that "everyone has a home with us," driving her message home with unwavering clarity.
DJ Cassidy had previously rallied the Democratic National Convention with a groundbreaking roll call dance party, while Winfrey delivered a surprise speech at the convention, further amplifying the sense of unity and purpose.
