As a dedicated gamer and pop culture enthusiast, I can’t help but be intrigued by the recent turn of events in American politics. Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, is having quite the “brat” summer, as 31-year-old pop sensation Charli XCX put it. The viral endorsement from the British singer-songwriter, known for her edgy and rebellious persona, has sent shockwaves through social media and beyond.
Kamala Harris is having a brat summer.
As a seasoned political observer with years of experience under my belt, I find the recent turn of events in the Democratic Party truly intriguing. Having followed the career trajectories of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris closely, I’m compelled to share my perspective on their surprising announcement.
As a seasoned political observer with years of experience following the intricacies of Capitol Hill and Hollywood culture, I can tell you that the exchange between the individual in question and certain influential figures set off a remarkable chain reaction. Endorsements poured in from all corners, not just on Capitol Hill but also from the entertainment industry. The financial support followed suit, filling the coffers with much-needed resources.
kamala IS brat
— Charli (@charli_xcx) July 22, 2024
The post became extremely popular, with over 32 million views as of Monday morning, based on available data. Charli’s devoted followers, known as “Charli’s Angels,” immediately grasped the significance of the announcement. However, some people acknowledged they were still trying to decipher the slang used by Charli and her group (“I don’t get it but I’m willing to try,” commented Ford News podcaster Jonathan Ford).
To truly grasp the meaning behind the term “brat“, look no further than Charli XCX’s perspective. As the name of her sixth album and embodying her current pop star persona, which debuted in June, she defines a brat as: “That girl who enjoys getting messy and partying, and might sometimes say things that aren’t very smart. She can be vulnerable yet honest, a bit unpredictable, and prone to making mistakes. In essence, she’s a brat – you are a brat too.”
That explanation might not seem like the most ringing endorsement of a U.S. presidential candidate but beyond that, Charli has said that brat represents an attitude, a type of brazen confidence amid the messiness that has clearly struck a chord with Gen Z and Millennials. Fans have also latched on to the album artwork, the word brat spelled out in slightly blurred Arial font on a meticulously selected color of green in the shade Pantone 3570-C. Per Charli, her team (that includes longtime creative director Imogene Strauss) dissected more than 65 shades to find the right one. “The conversations around the shade of green were weeks long,” Strauss told Billboard. “We analyzed every single element: where has this color been used before, what are its associations, who reacts to it and how.”
As someone who closely follows political campaigns and the impact of social media, I find the recent move by Kamala Harris’ official campaign page to adopt the “brat” branding in response to Charli’s post quite intriguing. It’s a bold move that shows their ability to adapt and engage with online culture in a way that resonates with younger audiences.
As a millennial myself, I can easily relate to why the Democratic party is making efforts to engage younger voters through endorsements like Charli XCX’s. Growing up, I often felt underrepresented and disconnected from the political process. However, seeing figures like Charli XCX, who resonate with my generation, express support for democratic values and ideals, makes me feel seen and heard.
“This could significantly boost youth voter participation in November’s election, according to Sunrise Movement’s communications director Stevie O’Hanlon, speaking to The Hill on Monday. Previously, there had been a noticeable absence of engaging content and excitement online surrounding Joe Biden’s campaign.”
A representative from The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Charli XCX’s team for more information, but they couldn’t be reached back at that moment.
The official social media account of the Biden-Harris campaign, named Biden-Harris HQ, has been revamped and renamed to “Kamala HQ” with a playful, youthful vibe.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 22, 2024
Harris has been quite active online, especially resonating with audiences on TikTok and X. Notably, a vibrant liberal woman of color in the Democratic party, known for her dancing, laughter, and memorable speeches, has captured their attention. In May 2023 at the White House, during an event celebrating opportunities for Hispanic Americans, Harris drew upon something her mother used to tell her. “My mom would sometimes scold us and say, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you young people. You act like you just fell out of a coconut tree!'” Harris reminisced with a chuckle. “We are shaped by our surroundings and the experiences that came before us.”
As a passionate fan, I’ve witnessed the extraordinary growth of this viral speech over the past year. Its popularity has been significantly boosted by the tumultuous political scene we’ve experienced recently. This phenomenon has led to over 47 million posts on TikTok and innumerable remixes, lip syncs, and headlines. To put it into perspective, an X TikTok user named Ryan Long went as far as staying up until 3 a.m. to create a remix that blended Harris’ voice with Charli XCX’s hit single “Von dutch.” It seems that Harris is indeed living up to the hype and having a memorable summer. The question now is, can she continue to ride this wave all the way from green to blue in November?
What kept me awake past 3 a.m., engrossed in creating a Von Dutch brat coconut tree edit including Kamala Harris, and why can’t I seem to get enough of it?
— ryan (@ryanlong03) July 3, 2024
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2024-07-23 00:26