Zachary Levi has called on his fellow conservatives in Hollywood to openly express their political beliefs as the 2024 election approaches.
The Washington Examiner reported that in a bold move, Zachary Levi, known for his role in "Chuck," the film "Shazam!" and as the voice of Flynn Rider in Disney’s "Tangled," has taken a public stand encouraging conservatives in Hollywood to voice their beliefs.
Levi's appeal comes amidst the political tension building up to the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the perceived lack of conservative representation in the entertainment industry.
Levi's statements were sparked during a response to Whoopi Goldberg’s comments on "The View," where she asserted that Hollywood has historically leaned right politically.
Contrary to Goldberg's views, Levi argued that it is primarily well-established actors who can afford to express conservative views without fearing career repercussions.
According to Levi, many individuals in Hollywood share his conservative outlook but remain silent due to fear of potential backlash.
Levi revealed that he has received numerous messages from industry peers who support conservative values and Donald Trump but are hesitant to make their stance public. This atmosphere of fear, as described by Levi, might dissuade many from expressing their political beliefs openly.
Levi also criticized the current conditions of Hollywood, which he described as deteriorating. He cited the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing labor strikes within acting and writing guilds. He argues that these challenges further stress the need for a new, open dialogue about political and ideological diversity in the industry.
His engagement in politics became more evident when Levi publicly supported Donald Trump at a campaign event for former independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Initially, Levi had supported Kennedy but shifted his allegiance to Trump after Kennedy endorsed the former president.
During this process, Levi openly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, comparing her unfavorably to Trump on issues such as border security and economic management. This marked the first time Levi voted for Trump in a presidential election, signifying a significant political shift for the actor.
Levi’s public call to action was both a declaration and an invitation for those who feel suppressed within Hollywood's political climate.
"And what that means is there’s plenty...they have sent me lots of messages—plenty of people in my industry in Hollywood that are terrified to publicly say that they would vote for Donald Trump or be conservative in any way," Levi explained.
He continued to challenge the conservative Hollywood community: "It’s now or never, you know what I mean? Do whatever you feel like you need to do. If you need to come out publicly and say it, if you feel like you still can’t, then don’t. I would never pressure you to do that."
These remarks encapsulate the crossroads at which some Hollywood conservatives find themselves: either to disguise their political beliefs to maintain their careers or to express their true convictions in an increasingly polarized environment.
Levi emphasized that the potential career risks from openly supporting conservative perspectives shouldn’t deter those who believe in them, suggesting that the industry's future may gravely depend on this newfound openness. His stance and recognition of private support from like-minded industry members highlight the silent conservative undercurrent within Hollywood.