Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has announced her bid for the Democratic nomination for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo. She joins a growing list of celebrities swapping showbiz for politics, including Clueless actress Stacey Dash, who is running for Congress in California as a Republican.
Dr Sharon Coen, a media psychology expert at the University of Salford, suggests that celebrities have a natural advantage in politics. 'If they are already in the public eye, they are already present on people's radar,' she explains. 'This increases feelings of likeability, familiarity and trust – key factors for political success.' She also notes that performers are trained to communicate effectively, and their experience with media scrutiny helps them cope with the pressures of political life.
Not all celebrity forays into politics have been successful. Glamour model Katie Price stood as an independent candidate in Stretford and Urmston in 2001, promising free plastic surgery and more nudist beaches, but won only 713 votes. In contrast, Arnold Schwarzenegger served two terms as Governor of California, and Ronald Reagan went from Hollywood actor to US President.
Other notable transitions include Manny Pacquiao, the world champion boxer who became a Philippine senator, and Glenda Jackson, who won two Oscars before serving as a Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate. The trend raises questions about the role of celebrity in politics, with some arguing it trivialises serious issues while others see it as a way to engage younger voters.
