Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling Among Stars Tapped to Serve as DNC Hosts
Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn and Ana Navarro will serve as hosts at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which kicks off Monday in Chicago.
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the news that each of the stars will host one night of the four-day event. The plan is that, on their respective nights, one of the four will kick off the broadcast with opening remarks and make appearances throughout the evening.
The schedule is as follows: Goldwyn (Monday), Navarro (Tuesday), Kaling (Wednesday) and Washington (Thursday, which is also the day that Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the Democratic nomination for president).
The View co-host Navarro, who had previously voted Republican but began supporting the Democratic party once Donald Trump entered the political fray, took to Instagram on Sunday to express her excitement about being chosen for role.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me,” Navarro said in a video she posted. “Look, I’m a little refugee girl who fled Communism, who fled Nicaragua at the age of 8, found freedom, found opportunity, found a home in America. And for me to have the chance to stand on that stage and help my girl Kamala make history and become the Democratic nominee, it’s just such a mind-blowing moment.”
Goldwyn previously played a president on Scandal, which also starred Washington. Goldwyn currently stars on Law & Order, while Washington stars on UnPrisoned. Kaling is known for her role on The Office and also was tapped to write the third Legally Blonde film with Dan Goor, among other credits.
Washington has experience speaking at the DNC: She previously took the stage in both 2012 (when Obama accepted the nomination and ultimately won the election against Mitt Romney) and 2020 (when Biden accepted the nomination and went on to defeat incumbent President Trump).
As previously reported, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, along with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also are expected to speak at the 2024 DNC. President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will take the stage Monday. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also is among the list of scheduled speakers. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will accept his nomination for vice president on Wednesday night.
Others who are said to be taking the stage are Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and former President Carter’s grandson Jason Carter.
The news of the DNC hosts was first reported by CNN on Sunday.