The American presidential elections meant for a lot of young people a first chance to vote. Josie Carlisle (19) lives in Michigan and studies film, video and media studies. She loves pop culture and has a heart for politics. Her two biggest interests might lay closer to each other than one might suspect. What’s the influence of pop culture on first-time voters?

‘I cried for the next two days,’ says Josie when she thinks back to the outcome of the recent presidential elections in the United States. ‘It was very crushing, as a woman and as a queer person.’ This election was for many young people the first time they could vote, for the 19-year-old Josie Carlisle as well. Josie has a passion for pop culture but loves politics as well. The young woman is convinced these two have something to do with each other.

‘Recently, I’ve seen a thin line between pop culture and the presidential elections. Especially with how Harris tried to reach the younger audience,’ explains Josie. ‘Harris’ reach for audience and demographic was specifically Gen Z and first-tome voters. A lot of Gen Z and Millennials are on social media, I think she tried connecting with us through that way.’

The power of TikTok and Gen Z
Before Kamala Harris took over the wheel from President Biden as 2024 president candidate, a meme of her went viral on social media. Since then, the TikTok account Kamala HQ made video after video, of which some received millions of views. Focusing on younger people through TikTok was a right move according to Josie: ‘There aren’t only young people on TikTok, other age groups have probably seen it as well. TikTok is rising and it’s one of the biggest apps now. I think it was overall a good idea.’

‘I did see a lot of people say that maybe it isn’t the right way to win because she has only gone for one demographic, Gen Z alone aren’t going to win it. However, I do believe, Gen Z is the most influential group of people we have right now, they are the future. Getting them to understand and getting them on board, is a win too. Even if it isn’t a win in traditional sense, it’s still a win that people are starting to understand.’

When artists and elections collide
Pop culture doesn’t only mean social media, it is also movies and music. Josie loves music, she plays guitar, and she sings. She believes it is important celebrities and artists use their voice to speak up about the elections. ‘When Taylor Swift spoke up about endorsing Kamala, it was important to me. They have a large following, they’re influential and they have a huge impact. It’s important they use their voice.’

The young woman is a huge fan of the British singer Harry Styles, even though the singer is British, she was rather disappointed to see Harry didn’t say anything about the elections. ‘I was a little shocked when we didn’t hear from him during this election, just because he had previous elections. I don’t think it would’ve changed the outcome, but it is a very satisfactory thing because it gives you piece of mind to know that the person you’re supporting is a good person.’

What would she do if she found out Harry Styles, supported Trump? ‘I would look at him differently. One of the reasons I love Harry so much is because of what he stands for, for what he supports and who he is as a person. I think knowing he supported this fascist lead that wants to take rights away from people and who wants to harm people… I would have to reevaluate. I don’t want to support people who would vote against me.’

Josie also believes she wouldn’t be influenced if the artists she loved would vote for Trump: ‘Who I am, what I believe and who I support are a core value of me. It would be devastating to see the artist I love vote for someone I don’t agree with, so I would stop supporting them and focus on what I truly believe instead of trying to conform in what they believe.’