Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, renowned for her portrayal of the inept Vice President Selina Meyer in the HBO comedy series "Veep," is actively involved in the upcoming 2024 presidential campaign. Her character's satirical portrayal has drawn comparisons to Vice President Kamala Harris, prompting Louis-Dreyfus to weigh in on the parallels and her support for Harris's bid.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the Emmy-winning actress who brought the comically inept Vice President Selina Meyer to life in the HBO series "Veep," is lending her star power to Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. Louis-Dreyfus's involvement has fueled a resurgence in the show's popularity, with viewership surging by 353% on HBO Max after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race.
Veep Resurgence: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Extends Support to Kamala Harris Campaign
In a recent interview, Louis-Dreyfus expressed her delight at the renewed interest in "Veep" and voiced her support for Harris. She acknowledged the comparisons between Meyer and Harris, a sentiment echoed by many on social media. However, she sought to distance the vice president from her fictional character, attributing the comparisons to sexism.
"Let me just say this," Louis-Dreyfus said. "If Selina had any advice for Kamala, she had best not take it. I think Kamala is so intelligent she wouldn’t take the call."
Veep Resurgence: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Extends Support to Kamala Harris Campaign
Louis-Dreyfus emphasized the scrutiny faced by female candidates, a theme explored in "Veep." She observed that women are often subjected to more rigorous judgment and that she and her co-writers had capitalized on this phenomenon for comedic effect.
"Female candidates are more scrutinized," she said. "That is the reality, and we played into it and used it to our comedic advantage."
Veep Resurgence: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Extends Support to Kamala Harris Campaign
However, "Veep" series creator Armando Iannucci has dismissed the notion that Meyer was based on Harris or any specific individual. He maintains that the character was a satirical construct, not a reflection of real-world politicians.
"Selina Meyer is not Kamala Harris," Iannucci told The Hollywood Reporter. "When we were making Veep, we didn’t have anyone in specific in mind…it really is not based on anyone."
Veep Resurgence: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Extends Support to Kamala Harris Campaign
Despite the creator's denial, the parallels between Meyer and Harris have persisted, leading to speculation about their similarities. Some have drawn attention to Harris's occasional malapropisms and gaffes, which they claim resemble Meyer's verbal stumbles.
Louis-Dreyfus is likely to play a prominent role in Harris's campaign, including an anticipated appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month. Her participation serves as a testament to the enduring popularity of "Veep" and the actress's own political activism.
As the campaign heats up, the comparisons between Selina Meyer and Kamala Harris will undoubtedly continue to draw attention. However, Louis-Dreyfus's support for Harris suggests that she believes the vice president possesses the intelligence and determination to succeed in the highest office in the land.
