In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pharrell Williams expressed his annoyance with musicians who use their platforms for political endorsements. Williams, attending the premiere of his biopic Piece By Piece in Toronto, stated, "I get annoyed sometimes when I see celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for]." He emphasized that while he cares deeply about his community and the nation, he prefers to focus on action rather than political speeches.
The Happy hitmaker highlighted, "I won’t do that" when asked if he would allow either political party to utilize his music in campaigns. His comments come amidst a surge in celebrity endorsements for the upcoming presidential election, including Taylor Swift's recent backing of Vice President Kamala Harris. Swift's endorsement significantly drove traffic to the voter registration site, Vote.gov, resulting in a marked increase in sign-ups.
Stevie Nicks also chimed in, urging fans to research their candidates thoughtfully as they approach the election. Meanwhile, Williams is gearing up for the release of Piece By Piece, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, featuring appearances by artists such as Daft Punk and Justin Timberlake. The film is set for theatrical release on October 11 in the U.S. and November 8 in the U.K., and will include music reflective of his personal journey in the industry. In other news, the White Stripes are suing former President Trump over unauthorized use of their song "Seven Nation Army" in a political context, demonstrating the growing intersection of music and politics in today's landscape.