Lady Gaga gave her closing argument for electing Kamala Harris President on Monday night (Nov. 4) at an epic rally for the Vice President who is vying to become the nation’s first female commander-in-chief. The singer took the stage in Philadelphia on the eve of Tuesday’s (Nov. 5) election day with a crucial message about the nation’s future and a poignant song choice to drive that point home.
“For more than half of this country’s life, women didn’t have a voice,” Gaga, seat at a piano, said after performing Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” in her introductory performance before Harris took the stage just before midnight at the star-studded last rally of her historic campaign. “Yet we raised children. We held our families together. We supported men as they made the decisions. But tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision,” Gaga continued at the event where she later performed her hit “Edge of Glory” for the 30,000 supporters gathered in the cold at the base of the famous Rocky steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
“Today I am holding in my heart all the tough, tenacious women who made me who I am. I cast my vote for someone who will be a president for all Americans,” Gaga said while speaking to voters in the all-important swing state that could hold the key to victory for Harris — or for rival Donald Trump. “And now, Pennsylvania, it’s your turn. The country is depending on you. So tomorrow make sure all your voices are heard. Come on, let’s go!” she added before introducing Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
The “Vote For Freedom” event hosted by DJ Cassidy — who famously also was behind the decks for the musical DNC roll call this summer — also included the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am performing his new song for Harris, “YES SHE CAN,” as the Democratic candidate asked the gathered crowd, “Are we ready to vote? Are we ready to win?” The roster of guests stumping for Harris also included DJ Jazzy Jeff, Fat Joe and Oprah Winfrey, as well as Ricky Martin, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, DJ D-Nice, the Roots, while twice impeached former President Trump made his final pitch in Pittsburgh.
Sullivan made it personal during a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” telling the crowd, “they’re trying to take away our reproductive freedom. What’ goin’ right now?” In the wake of announcing his support for Harris after a recent Trump rally in New York where a warm-up comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” P.R. native Martin fronted a big band for a run through his signature song “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” He also had a poignant message for voters: “Kamala Harris is for us,” he said. “She’s for unity, she’s for all Americans.”
Martin was introduced by Fat Joe, who said he came to represent Puerto Ricans as well. “Kamala Harris is for us. She’s for unity, she’s for all Americans – Black, white, big, small, Latino, you name it,” he said. “She’s for us. One thing I won’t do is sell my soul for anybody. If I’m out here telling you she’s the one, it’s because I know she’s the one.”
With parallel satellite gatherings in the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona and N. Carolina, the hourslong livestream also had Harris jumping over to Pittsburgh, where Katy Perry played a set of hits, while James Taylor entertained the crowd in Raleigh, N.C. with, naturally, “Carolina On My Mind” as well as “Something in the Way She Moves”; Fantasia, Sugarland and Remi Wolf were also on hand in Raleigh. Jon Bon Jovi beamed in from Michigan to perform the Bon Jovi classic “Living on a Prayer” with The War and Treaty, as well as teaming up for their new song, “The People’s House.”
In addition, 2 Chainz, Keyshia Cole, Anthony Hamilton and Ciara took the stage in Atlanta.
Christina Aguilera was the headliner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas — along with regional Mexican band Los Tigres Del Norte and dance duo Sofi Tukker — telling the crowd, “Tonight, I’m here in honor of the people who have fought to give us the privilege to be heard. Let’s raise our voices and vote for freedom,” before performing her 2002 single “Fighter,” according to USA Today. Xtina also gave the crowd her power ballad “Beautiful” and her Pitbull collab, “Feel This Moment.”
Before exiting to her campaign’s theme song, Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” Harris told the enthusiastic crowd, “We started this fight 107 days ago. And it has not been a fight against something, but a fight for something. It’s about our love for our country, and our faith in a future that we will build together with energy and joy … Generations of Americans have led the fight for freedom. And now the baton is in our hands.”
Watch highlights from Monday night’s events here and check out footage of Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” at Harris campaign event below, as well as performances from Aguilera and Perry.
