Grading Celebrities on How Much They’ve Hyped the Vaccine
“Presley Receives a City Polio Shot” read a New York Times headline on October 29, 1956. “Singer Sets an Example for Teen-Agers.” At the time, less than 1% of American teenagers were vaccinated against polio. Six months later, more than 80% of young Americans were vaccinated. Eventually, polio was eliminated.
Celebrity endorsements won't be the one big push that moves Americans to get vaccines, because everyone needs to work to spread accurate information. In the ’50s and ’60s, American teens created a mass, national grassroots movement to raise vaccine rates. A giant network of teen volunteers ran media campaigns, put on “Salk Hops,” and reached over color lines and financial divides. Regular people did the work.
But they needed help from household names like Elvis and Debbie Reynolds. And getting vaccinated didn't exactly snuff out Elvis's career. The next year he released three number one hits, including “All Shook Up.” Perhaps it helped that he looked very hot while getting his vaccine. His skin looks like a baby that has been FaceTuned.
Today celebrities should be working harder to promote the COVID-19 vaccine. Celebrities are not that busy. They can afford childcare. They do not have to clean their own homes, shop for their own clothing, or occasionally touch the mouse on their computers to keep their Slack icon active.
This isn't an attack on celebs—bless them! We love them for their shiny hair and expressive faces and commitment to showing us every possible outcome of getting back together with your ex. But the least they could do is set aside some time to promote the lifesaving, free vaccine that's been made available to all Americans as the national death toll from COVID continues to rise past 600,000. Celebrities who got the vaccine have an obligation to talk about it to their giant fanbases.
There is no doubt that vaccines are safe and save lives. According to the latest data, between 94% and 99.8% of people who have died from COVID were unvaccinated. More than 96% of doctors are vaccinated, as are 96% of U.S. senators (that includes Democrats and Republicans). But only about 50% of Americans are vaccinated.
Every death from COVID is tragic. Everyone can help save lives by getting vaccinated and talking to their friends and family about why they chose to. Celebrities just have a slightly bigger circle of friends than most of us. And some of them are actually crushing this job—talking regularly and warmly about the importance of the vaccine, even though they're bound to lose followers over it. Other celebrities are being very, very quiet.
Let's take a noncomprehensive look at who's taking time to save lives.
Dolly Parton
Has any celebrity done more than Dolly Parton to stop the tide of death from COVID-19? This woman is the closest thing we have to an angel. Her $1 million donation to medical research at Vanderbilt University ended up funding multiple projects, including one that helped in the creation of the Moderna vaccine. (Moderna gang, hello, you all look incredible today.)
She has talked publicly about the vaccine and filmed her experience getting it. She sang “Jolene” but replaced the name with “vaccine.” Celebrities: This is the gold standard. Ask your publicist how to donate money to science research today.
Grade: A+
Tyler Perry
Perry hosted the BET event COVID-19 Vaccine and the Black Community: A Tyler Perry Special. In it, he gave a platform to health experts and spoke directly to Black Americans, who may understandably feel more vaccine skepticism given the American medical establishment's history of racism. This kind of work by Perry and Black activists is urgent—Black Americans have died of COVID at a rate two times higher than white Americans, according to the CDC.
While others belittled people who have concerns about the vaccine, Perry talked through misconceptions patiently, interviewing doctors and breaking down the history of medical racism. Celebrities who haven't done anything: Doesn't posting a single selfie seem pretty easy in comparison?
Grade: A+
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow has made a (second) career out of guiding women toward living well, and surely the most basic level would include staying alive in the first place? Unless I've missed it, she has not spoken publicly about getting the COVID vaccine.
Paltrow has said she has long COVID, which is horrible. But in the wake of that diagnosis, she wrote a post about her self-designed recovery protocol from long COVID that compelled Stephen Powis, the national medical director of England, to put out a statement calling the post “misinformation.” In it, Paltrow described a “detox” and even used the opportunity to try to sell products through her site. Powis responded, “We need to take long COVID seriously and apply serious science. All influencers who use social media have a duty of responsibility and a duty of care around that.”
Grade: D
Olivia Rodrigo
Someone had to put on a Chanel suit, march into the White House, and tell the youths aged 12 and up that if they want to look HAPPY and HEALTHY they need to get a vaccine, and Olivia Rodrigo was the right person for the job.
Other celebrities should be blowing up Jen Psaki's phone, begging for similar assignments. I want to see leaked footage of other Disney stars screaming at their agents, “I'm cutting ties if I don't see the inside of the Lincoln Bedroom before 2022.”
Grade: A
Mariah Carey
A lot of us are out here presenting our shoulders to a health professional, turning our heads in the other direction and shouting, “I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE NEEDLE!!!” Meanwhile, Miss Mariah is hitting high notes while getting vaccinated in front of her Instagram audience of 10 million. This is leadership: glamour, vibes, a bit of a comedy routine, and the highest note in the traditional soprano range.
Grade: A
J.Lo
Jennifer Lopez is perhaps the most watched woman in the world right now. But has she gotten a vaccine? She performed at the Global Citizen Vax Live concert, so she's working to get other people vaxed. In a video promoting the event, she said, “That night is about everyone getting the vaccine so we can come back together. It's about reuniting the world.” During her performance, she brought her mom, Guadalupe Rodríguez, onstage for an emotional reunion. “I didn't even get to spend Christmas with my mom this year,” she said. “But she's here with me tonight and she's vaccinated!”
J.Lo kills this entire performance. But is she vaccinated herself? Probably! But would a little selfie and a few facts about the vax hurt?
Grade: Incomplete
Britney Spears
If Britney Spears can make time to hype the vaccine while at the center of a hellish legal battle over her own basic rights, other celebrities can certainly squeeze in a quick shout-out. Not only that, but she actually fought internet misinformation. This! Woman!
“Okay, so the people on the internet said it was really really bad, it was like a bullet going through your arm—it was nothing,” she said, in a video posted to Instagram. “I felt nothing. I feel fine and I hope I continue to stay fine.” This is a really, really important point—most people are scared of needles, but for many people the COVID vaccination isn't just painless, but it's not noticeable. It's also important because Britney Spears should never have to experience any more pain, please God.
Grade: A
Chet Hanks
Chet Hanks, son of Tom, does not plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Would you rather be like Britney, Mariah, and Dolly, or like Chet Hanks? It's a choice we all have to make in life. Celebrities, think through this one carefully.
Grade: F
Nene Leakes
There is nothing quite like watching a person face a deeply held fear in order to save their own and others' lives. Go, NeNe! Also, go, medical professionals who supported NeNe!
Grade: A
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston, of all people, has taken a remarkably strong stance about the vaccine, maybe stronger than any other celebrity.
“There's still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers or just don't listen to the facts,” she told InStyle. “It's a real shame. I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate. I feel it's your moral and professional obligation to inform since we're not all podded up and being tested every single day. It's tricky because everyone is entitled to their own opinion—but a lot of opinions don't feel based in anything except fear or propaganda.”
Many of us have been following Jennifer Aniston's career for over two decades. She is many wonderful things, but she isn't really known for staking out strong, controversial beliefs. Is it weird that I'm deeply proud of her?
Grade: A
Justin Bieber
Has Justin Bieber been vaccinated? We don't know, because he hasn't told us. A J.Beibs vaccine post could go far—Bieber has cut ties with the mega-church Hillsong, but he may still have influence in that community, which recently lost an unvaccinated member to COVID.
Grade: D (subject to change)
Amy Schumer
This is what we need from celebrities: get your shot, do your little talent, and get out of there. That's what we pay you the absolutely ginormous bucks for.
Grade: A-
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is celebrated for extremes—she has the biggest hair, highest voice, tiniest hands, and (used to have) the most chaotic romantic life. She is also an especially smart person and thoughtful communicator, not just by celeb standards but by all standards.
Unlike most celebrities, her vaccine post—which is “gentle,” in her words—contains facts, corrects misconceptions, and points to accessible resources.
Grade: A
Patrick Mahomes
“To me it was more of a personal decision, with having a baby girl and knowing that I was going to be around people,” NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters in April about his choice to get vaccinated. “I wanted to make sure I could do whatever I could to help keep her healthy.” Beautiful and simple, like a quick pitch on a running play (maybe? I don't watch football).
Grade: A
Blake Lively
Blake Lively posted a photo of herself getting a vaccine, and she praised health care workers. That's all it takes, folks!
Grade: A-
Jenny Singer is a staff writer for Glamour. You can follow her on Twitter.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
