'Just in case': Fans left disappointed when major theory thwarted as the star-studded Democratic National Convention comes to a close
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago has just come to a close with a powerful speech from Vice president Kamala Harris, and boy was it a star-studded event.
Watch the video above.
Maybe not as star-studded as some were expecting, though.
Over the course of four days we saw celebrities such as Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria, Stephen Colbert and even Pink pop up at the event, but it seems some were expecting some even bigger stars to make an appearance.
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The Democratic National Convention was packed with celebrities who were there to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. AP
Online speculation ran rife with rumours that there was a special guest set to take to the stage right before Harris' big speech - namely, either Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.
As the event inched closing to the closing remarks from the Democratic nominee, viewers grew anxious wondering when one of the two female powerhouses would pop up.
But lo and behold, all the fan theories were wrong.
Harris took to the stage and gave arguably the most important speech of her political career to date, before her husband Doug Emhoff, along with Vice President nominee, Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz, joined her on stage to close out the event.
And while you may think the theories were too wild to be true to begin with, they did have some merit to them.
For months now, rumours have been swirling that both Swift and Beyoncé were set to throw their support behind Harris and the Democrats, planning to give their endorsement in a big way.
There's also the fact Beyoncé gave Harris' campaign the permission to use her song Freedom, which played several times at the DNC, including right before Harris took to the stage.
Attendees at the event were even spotted wearing friendship bracelets, and Swift's music was also played, but alas, there was no surprise appearance from either star.
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Despite that disappointment, the DNC was still packed to the brim with celebrities, whether they were simply cheering Harris and Walz on from the crowd or taking to the stage to deliver a moving performance.
Keep scrolling to see all the celebs who attended the Democratic national Convention.
Pink
Pink performed alongside her daughter Willow. Nine
Ahead of day three of the convention, it was announced that Pink would headline the event ahead of Harris' speech.
The superstar took to the stage alongside her 13-year-old daughter Willow to sing her hit song What About Us. Read more about her appearance here.
The Chicks
The Chicks sent fans into a frenzy when they reunited to perform at the DNC.
The iconic trio - formerly known as The Dixie Chicks - performed the American national anthem to kick off the event.
The Chicks performed the American national anthem. Nine
Following their performance, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, chanting "USA, USA, USA."
You can read more about their appearance here.
Kerry Washington
Following the Chicks' performance, Kerry Washington took to the stage to give a powerful speech in support of Harris.
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Kerry Washington took to the stage following The Chicks' performance. Nine
"I am not here tonight as an actor. I am here as a mother, as a daughter as a proud union member. I am here as the granddaughter of immigrants, as a Black woman descended from enslaved people," she said.
"I am here tonight because I am an American and because I am a voter and because we the people are stronger when all our voices are heard."
She was also joined on stage by her Scandal co-star Tony Goldwyn, as well as Harris' two young nieces, Amara and Leela, who helped her address a long-contested issue.
She was also joined by Harris' nieces, Amara and Leela. Nine
The siblings helped Washington as they taught the crowd how to pronounced their aunt's name, taking turns to help the crown sound it out.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria took to the podium, sharing what an "honour" it is to "be part of this historic moment."
She noted her friendship with Harris dates back more than a decade.
"We were both raised knowing that no one was going to hand us anything, especially as women," she shared, adding that they both climbed the ladder of success starting from their early days working in hospitality.
Eva Longoria shared that her friendship with Harris dates back more than a decade. Nine
"She worked at McDonald's but I worked at Wendy's, and look at us now," she said to a cheering crowd.
"You see, Kamala and I were able to see beyond the horizon because our families supported our big dreams," she shared, adding that Americans are "all part of one family".
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert was unrecognisable at the DNC. Getty
Stephen Colbert appeared at the DNC ahead of everything kicking off, looking completely unrecognisable.
Colbert bought back his Donny Franks alter-ego as he walked around the floor dressed as a hot dog vendor, wearing a shaggy brown wig, fake goatee, sunglasses and a hat.
The late night host was seen chatting to representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez as he handed out T-shirts featuring the faces of Walz, and Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff.
Colbert first pulled out a T-shirt with Walz's face and a slogan, which said: "Ballz to the Walz".
A second grey tee featured Emhoff's face and read "Do Dougs. Not Drugs".
There were also packs of Bratwurst sausages with labels reading "Kamala is Brat", in reference to the Charli XCX Brat meme that went viral on social media.
Colbert was seen chatting to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, holding up t-shirts which featured Tim Walz and Doug Emhoff's faces on them. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Two days later, he spoke about his time at the convention on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, noting the official theme of A Bold Vision For America's Future.
"And the unofficial theme was 'weee!'" he joked. "The vibe is definitely good.
"They're putting the 'party' back in Democratic party, and for the first time in history, a mum just stood up and proudly said, 'My son is a DJ.'"
Oprah Winfrey
Like many others, Winfrey took the opportunity to speak on the dangers of former president Donald Trump serving another term in the White House.
"People who would have you believe that books are dangerous and assault rifles are safe. That there's a right way to worship and a wrong way to love," she said.
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Oprah Winfrey warned people of the dangers of another Trump presidency. AP
"America is an ongoing project that requires commitment and being open to the hard work and the hard work of democracy.
"Every now and then it requires standing up to life's bullies."
Stevie Wonder
"We must keep on keeping on until we are truly a united people of these United States and then we will reach a higher ground," music legend Stevie Wonder declared on stage.
The singer then went on to perform his hit song Higher Ground.
Stevie Wonder performed his hit Higher Ground. AP
Barack and Michelle Obama
The crowd went wild for Barack and Michelle Obama.
The former president and first lady have been active on social media since Joe Biden announced he was stepping out of the race, throwing their support behind the Harris and Walz campaign.
"America, hope is making a comeback," Michelle declared to cheers from the crowd.
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The crowd went wild for Barack and Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Nine
She referred to Harris as "one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency."
"We don't need four more years of bluster and chaos. We've seen that movie, and we all know that the sequel's usually worse," Barack said, referencing Trump's presidency from 2016 to 2020.
"America is ready for a new chapter. America's ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris."
Spike Lee
Iconic director Spike Lee got involved in the Roll Call, joining New York Democrats as they delivered the state's 298 votes for Harris.
"We gotta do everything we can to make sure this isn't close," Lee told GQ following his appearance at the event.
"Because if it's close, you know what they're gonna do.
Spike Lee got involved in the roll call for New York. AP
"When they start doing the okie-doke, the rooty-toot, then they go on the three S's, which are... Subterfuge. Skullduggery. Shenanigans!"
Mindy Kaling
The Office star Mindy Kaling hosted the third night of the DNC.
The actress and writer brought plenty of laughs to the stage, reminiscing on the time she accidentally "outed Kamala Harris as Indian."
Later in the evening, she gave a shoutout to her hometown of Massachusetts.
Mindy Kaling brought the laughs as she hosted the third night of the DNC. Getty
"I love you Massachusetts! Everyone is always hating on us, but they just don't get it! Go Sox! Go Jayson Tatum! Ben Affleck, hang in there," she said, referring to news breaking the day earlier that Affleck's wife Jennifer Lopez had filed for divorce.
Jack Schlossberg
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former president John F. Kennedy, son of Carline Kennedy and the newly appointed Political Correspondent for Vogue, also took to the podium.
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Jack Schlossberg is politics' newest 'it-boy'. Getty
"Like President Kennedy, Vice President Harris has dedicated her life to public service," politics' latest 'it-boy' declared.
"She believes in America like my grandfather did, that we do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
John Legend
John Legend performed with Sheila E. AP
John Legend, who has previously shared his endorsement for Harris, welcomed vice presidential candidate Tim Walz to the stage with an electrifying performance.
Together, with fellow musician Sheila E., Legend performed Prince's 1984 single Let's Go Crazy.
Maren Morris
Grammy Award-winning country star Maren Morris also took to the stage, performing her 2020 hit Better Than We Found It.
Maren Morris also took to the stage. Getty
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Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle made her grand comeback to the DNC after performing in 2004 when John Kerry was voted the party's nominee
LaBelle performed her song You Are My Friend, telling Billboard she would do anything for President Biden and Vice President Harris because "we have to keep peace alive and keep hope alive.
Patti LaBelle shared she would do anything for President Biden and Vice President Harris. AP
"It's an honor just being asked to do something for something as wonderful and important as this," she continued.
"Anytime they call me for anything, I'm available!"
Lil Jon
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight to officially nominate Kamala Harris for president," Lil John declared as he made a surprise appearance during Georgia's roll call.
The Atlanta native went on to perform his his Turn Down For What, pumping up the crowd for one of the most electric Roll Call's the DNC has ever seen.
Lil Jon pumped up the crowd with a surprise performance. Getty
Mark Hamill
Star Wars legend Mark Hamill took to Twitter to share a few snaps of him getting among the action at the DNC.
"A sense of euphoria sets in as we begin to realize our long, harrowing, National Orange Nightmare is nearly over!" he captioned the post.
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Mark Hamill took to Twitter to share a few snaps from the event. Twitter: Mark Hamil
Kenan Thompson
Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson poked fun at Project 2025 during a skit at the DNC.
He walked on stage carrying a large book appearing to be the conservative 920-page document.
Kenan Thompson poked fun at project 2025 in a skit. AP
"You ever seen a document that could kill a small animal and democracy at the same time? Here it is," Thompson said as the audience laughed.
He referred to the project as "the terms and conditions of a second Trump presidency".
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