DNC Celebrity Hosts: See Who’s Taking the Stage Each Night

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) will feature a lineup of big-name celebrity guests, with Tony Goldwyn, Ana Navarro, Mindy Kaling, and Kerry Washington as the official hosts for the event, which kicks off on Monday in Chicago.
Each of these stars is set to host one night of the four-day event, organizers confirmed to Newsweek. They will begin the evening with opening remarks and continue to appear throughout the night, guiding the proceedings much like an awards show emcee.
The schedule is as follows: Goldwyn will host Monday, followed by Navarro on Tuesday, Kaling on Wednesday, and Washington on Thursday. The final night will also see Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepting the Democratic nomination.
But who are these stars?
Tony Goldwyn, best known for his role as President Fitzgerald Grant on ABC’s Scandal, will kick off the convention on Monday night. Goldwyn, who has been an active participant in political campaigns over the years, has previously shown his support for Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
Goldwyn currently stars as Manhattan District Attorney Nicholas Baxter on Law & Order and continues his advocacy work, notably with The Innocence Project.
Tuesday night will be hosted by Ana Navarro, co-host of The View and a political commentator known for her outspoken criticism of former President Donald Trump. Although a Republican, Navarro has publicly supported Democratic candidates in recent years, voting for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.
Navarro has often shared her personal story of fleeing communism in Nicaragua as a child, a narrative she says fuels her commitment to supporting candidates who, in her view, defend democratic values.
Mindy Kaling, known for her roles on The Office and The Mindy Project, will host on Wednesday night. In addition to her work in entertainment, Kaling has been active in politics, co-chairing a fundraiser for Biden’s 2020 campaign with actress Reese Witherspoon.
She has also used her platform to celebrate her Indian heritage, including cooking masala dosa with then-Senator Kamala Harris in a widely-viewed YouTube video.
This video recently resurfaced after former President Donald Trump shared it on his social media platform, using it to question Harris’s racial identity.
The final night of the convention, Thursday, will be hosted by Kerry Washington, known for her role in Scandal alongside Goldwyn. Washington is deeply engaged in political activism and is no stranger to the Democratic National Convention.
An Emmy winner, Washington has been a vocal advocate for the Democratic Party, supporting Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign and speaking at the DNC in both 2012 and 2020. She also hosted the virtual DNC in 2020.
Washington has consistently used her platform to promote voter registration and political activism. She even founded the organization Influence Change, which collaborates with celebrities to drive civil engagement.
Earlier this summer, before President Joe Biden announced he would not seek a second term, Goldwyn attended a reproductive rights event with Biden’s reelection campaign.
In addition to Hollywood stars, the DNC will feature appearances by President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Barack and Michelle Obama, and the Clintons.
Key Democratic figures, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, are also scheduled to speak.
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