Instead, it was Donald Trump and the Republicans who received scant support from the entertainment industry at large, but tapped a targeted subset of well-known, hypermasculine influencers who won comfortably.
So, did the Democrats' long-standing Hollywood and music industry connections, including last-minute rally appearances from pop stars Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, make any difference at all in the end?
"Not in this election, clearly," said New York University arts professor Laurence Maslon.
"At the end of the day, people probably realise that Beyonce and George Clooney don't have to worry about the cost of gas or the cost of eggs so maybe they're sort of irrelevant," he said.
Celebrity endorsements have long been part of the fabric of US elections, harking back to the days when late singer-actor Frank Sinatra wrangled the Rat Pack group of celebrities to support then Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Even in 2024, Hollywood-led fund-raisers helped raise tens of millions of dollars for Ms Harris' record-breaking campaign war chest.
But their impact in actually influencing votes has always been a "mixed bag", said Arizona State University Associate Professor Margaretha Bentley, who teaches a public policy course on Swift.
Denne historien er fra November 08, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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TACKLE PLASTIC WASTE, ONE NAIL AT A TIME
Before global leaders take the problem of plastic pollution into their hands in November, Japanese manicurist Naomi Arimoto is putting it on her fingernails.
Unpacking Ireland's cultural and creative renaissance
From Sally Rooney's bestsellers to actor Paul Mescal, Ireland, which holds a general election on Nov 29, has been enjoying a cultural and creative renaissance.
Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi split
Squid Game (2021 to present) star Jung Ho-yeon has split from her actor-boyfriend Lee Dong-hwi after a nine-year relationship.
Dorothy's ruby slippers to go under the hammer
The ruby slippers worn by the late American actress Judy Garland in classic film The Wizard Of Oz (1939) will be sold at auction in December, nearly 20 years after they were stolen.
Artist Julie Mehretu opens solo Show in Sydney
Ethiopia-born New York artist Julie Mehretu (right), considered one of the most influential living painters, has opened her first solo show in the Southern Hemisphere in Sydney.
Wicked's renowned costume designer returns to Oz
Tony Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell first created costumes for The Wizard Of Oz in a high-school production
ULTIMATE SELF-CARE
'Tis the season to treat yourself at spas and salons, which have introduced a slew of treatments for head-to-toe pampering
Fifa using $67m legacy fund for social initiatives
LAUSANNE - Fifa launched a US$50 million (S$67 million) legacy fund for social programmes on Nov 27, in collaboration with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
THE MARATHON BIKER GUY
Veteran Aussie has cycled over 50 courses in 12 years to ensure the route is 42.195km
Emery upbeat despite late drama against Juve
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
