Hollywood celebrities split as New York City chooses its next Mayor

Zohran Mamdani, the progressive Democrat and State Assembly member, has drawn an eclectic roster of supporters from the arts and entertainment world

On the eve of New York City’s mayoral election, the race between Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa gained a dose of Hollywood drama. Across social media, celebrities flaunted their “Voted Early” stickers and declared their loyalties, adding a layer of star power to a contest already defined by generational and ideological divides.

Celebrity endorsements have long been met with scepticism, especially after the 2024 presidential election showed their limited influence on voters. Still, their posts and appearances over the past week injected energy and visibility into a race that will decide the city’s next direction, the New York Times reported.

Mamdani’s famous supporters

Zohran Mamdani, the progressive Democrat and State Assembly member, has drawn an eclectic roster of supporters from the arts and entertainment world. Many of them live outside New York but share his political ideals.

Actress Lupita Nyong’o posted on Instagram that she first met Mamdani 20 years ago, when she interned at Mirabai Films, the production company founded by his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair. She praised his “personality, skills, and temperament” as suited to the city’s top job.

Actor Mark Ruffalo and comedian Ilana Glazer volunteered to work a phone bank for Mamdani in the campaign’s final stretch, while actor Wallace Shawn was spotted canvassing in the East Village. Filmmaker Spike Lee also voiced his support in an August interview, saying he would vote for Mamdani “to move forward for equality for New Yorkers.”

The campaign’s crossover into pop culture reached television screens when comedian Ramy Youssef invited Mamdani to join him onstage at the Beacon Theatre alongside activist Mahmoud Khalil and later portrayed the candidate on Saturday Night Live.

Comedian Bowen Yang posed online wearing a “Zohran for Mayor” T-shirt, while actress Cynthia Nixon — who once ran for governor herself — called Mamdani “brilliant” and “young” in a video urging early voting. Model Emily Ratajkowski, an early backer, wore a “Hot Girls for Zohran” T-shirt in a campaign video encouraging voter turnout during the primaries.

Cuomo’s famous backers

Andrew Cuomo, the former three-term governor, has received a more understated but equally high-profile show of support.

Actress Amy Schumer posted her “Voted by Mail” sticker on Instagram, writing cryptically that her choice “rhymes with duomo” — widely interpreted as an endorsement of Cuomo. Singer Marc Anthony publicly backed him during the primaries, praising the former governor’s consistent support for Puerto Rico.

In September, filmmaker Woody Allen told CBS News editor Bari Weiss that he would vote for Cuomo because “he will be better for New York.” And billionaire Elon Musk, who played a visible role in President Trump’s 2024 campaign, joined in on X with a post that endorsed Cuomo while intentionally misspelling Mamdani’s name — a gesture that stirred both amusement and irritation online.

Sliwa’s smaller circle

Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, has not drawn celebrity endorsements, but his support base includes notable conservative politicians. Former governor George Pataki and former mayor Rudolph Giuliani both campaigned for him in recent weeks, emphasizing law and order themes that defined Sliwa’s platform.

Do endorsements matter?

Whether these endorsements will sway voters is uncertain. Analysts note that celebrity backing can generate attention but rarely shifts large numbers of votes. In a city where turnout often decides tight races, enthusiasm and visibility may matter more than persuasion.

For Mamdani, the influx of cultural figures has reinforced his image as a candidate of the young and progressive. For Cuomo, the endorsements from established entertainers and business figures lend him a sense of experience and pragmatism. Sliwa, meanwhile, continues to rely on his reputation as a longtime New Yorker with a populist appeal.

As polls close, the celebrity glow around the race may fade, but its imprint on this campaign — a blend of politics, personality and showmanship — will remain part of New York’s evolving political theatre.