Young social media stars join forces with political campaigns in unexpected way
Social-media influencers with millions of followers are stepping into political advocacy using their unique platforms. Content creators from nail artists to food bloggers share personal stories to connect with young voters
In Chandler Arizona Kaylee Sotelo a nail-art expert with over 1-million social-media followers‚ is mixing beauty tips with civic engagement. The 22-year old first-generation student (who took a three-year break from college) now combines her creative nail designs with political outreach
Her current autumn collection features marble-style patterns and chocolate-brown swirls; but theres more than just aesthetics at play. Sotelo uses her platform to reach young minority women and LGBTQ+ followers sharing her experiences from recent campaign events
In [an] industry full of women I hear so many personal intimate stories of countless women and their experiences with exercising their reproductive rights
In Las Vegas Sulhee Jessica Woo known as the bento-box queen with 7-million followers is taking a similar path. The 38-year old food content creator hosts campaign-related gatherings while maintaining her usual content: this mix helps make politics more approachable to her young audience
Over in Milwaukee Ray Nitti a community activist works with local creators to reach non-traditional voters. He collaborates with comedians and artists creating voter-registration content thats both entertaining and informative
- Myron Jewell
- Cortez Ross Jr
- Brandon Jones
Digital strategist Deja Foxx points out that first-person storytelling makes complex issues more relatable: young voters connect better with content creators who share similar backgrounds and experiences. The 24-year old emphasizes how personal narratives can shift political discussions from abstract policies to real-world impact
These content makers reach audiences who might skip traditional campaign ads - about one-third of 18-29 year olds now get news from TikTok. Their authentic approach helps bridge the gap between social media entertainment and civic participation
