Celebrities Making a Difference (% of US Adults, November 2013) | |||||
|
| Generation | |||
Difference | Total 2013 | Echo Boomers (18-36) | Gen X. (37-48) | Baby Boomers (49-67) | Matures (68+) |
Large/Some Difference (NET) | 53% | 57% | 53% | 49% | 50% |
A large difference | 15 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
Some difference | 37 | 39 | 39 | 34 | 38 |
Little/No Difference (NET) | 38 | 33 | 37 | 39 | 46 |
Little difference | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 22 |
No difference at all | 16 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 24 |
Not sure | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 4 |
Source: Harris Poll, November 2013 (Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding; categories and ages in all charts are: Echo Boomers (18-36), Gen X. (37-48), Baby Boomers (49-67), Matures (68+)) |
19% of Americans say they have gotten more information or done anything to support a cause because of something they heard an actor, singer or other celebrity do, up from 15% who said this in 2008. Actors and singers supporting a cause may be a way to spur younger Americans to get more involved. Over one-quarter of Echo Boomers (27%) say they have done something because of a celebrity, as have 22% of Gen Xers, compared to 15% and 10% of Baby Boomers and Matures, respectively.
Done Anything To Support A Cause Because Of Celebrity Endorsement? (% of Respondents; Base: All U.S. adults) | |||||
|
| Generation | |||
| Total 2013 | Echo Boomers (18-36) | Gen X. (37-48) | Baby Boomers (49-67) | Matures (68+) |
Yes | 19% | 27% | 22% | 15% | 10% |
No | 81 | 73 | 78 | 85 | 90 |
Source: Harris Poll, November 2013 |
55% of Americans believe that negative publicity can be very or somewhat damaging to the issue that celebrity is promoting, while 23% believe it can be a little damaging. Just 7% of Americans believe the negative publicity to a star would be not at all damaging to the cause they were promoting.
Certain celebrities are known for having more star power than others. When asked about actors, musicians, athletes and other celebrities who are currently active in championing a cause, over one in ten Americans (12%) say Angelina Jolie has been very effective in raising awareness of her cause, followed by 5% who say Brad Pitt. Next on the list are Michael J. Fox and Bono/U2, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, and Jerry Lewis and Marlo Thomas.
Celebrities Very Effective In Raising Awareness Of Their Cause (% of Respondents; Base: All U.S. adults) | |||||
|
| Generation | |||
Celebrity | Total 2013 | Echo Boomers (18-36) | Gen X. (37-48) | Baby Boomers (49-67) | Matures (68+) |
Angelina Jolie | 12% | 14% | 11% | 13% | 6% |
Brad Pitt | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
Michael J. Fox | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Bono/U2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
George Clooney | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Oprah Winfrey | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Ellen DeGeneres | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Jerry Lewis | 2 | * | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Marlo Thomas | 2 | - | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Source: Harris Poll, November 2013 (* response rate of <0.5%) |
Besides causes, celebrities are also becoming more and more involved in politics, not only at the presidential level, but also at the gubernatorial and senatorial levels. They endorse candidates and appear at events with them, hoping their fans will support their political choices. Americans are divided as to how good an idea this is, with 40% saying it is a bad thing and 38% believing it is a good thing; 22% are not sure if it is a good or bad thing.
58% of Americans say they believe the support of a celebrity can change a person's views about which candidate to support, compared to 25% who say this support does not change a person's view.
Support Of A Celebrity Changes People's Views About Which Candidate To Support (% of Respondents; Base: All U.S. adults) | |||||
|
| Generation | |||
| Total 2013 | Echo Boomers (18-36) | Gen X. (37-48) | Baby Boomers (49-67) | Matures (68+) |
CHANGES VIEWS (NET) | 58% | 65% | 54% | 57% | 52% |
Definitely changes views | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 |
Probably changes views | 48 | 53 | 43 | 48 | 45 |
DOESN'T CHANGE VIEWS (NET) | 25 | 18 | 23 | 28 | 38 |
Probably does not change views | 20 | 14 | 16 | 23 | 29 |
Definitely does not change views | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
Not sure | 17 | 17 | 23 | 15 | 10 |
Source: Harris Poll, November 2013 |
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