By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A month after Hollywood turned its back on the Democrats, the country is sending its stars to the party’s national convention this week to officially nominate Kamala Harris for U.S. president.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Legend, Billy Porter and Mindy Kaling are among the entertainment stars expected in Chicago, the host of the four-day Democratic National Convention that begins Monday.

Kaling, known for the long-running hit series “The Office,” was one of four hosts chosen to host the prime-time events on the convention stage. They were joined by “Scandal” co-stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn and “The View” commentator Ana Navarro. Each will host an evening, offering introductions and occasional remarks, much like an Oscar host.

Other celebrities will headline nightly parties and concerts and, in the case of “Veep” TV star Louis-Dreyfus, moderate a political discussion with female governors.

The enthusiasm marks a significant shift since mid-July, when George Clooney and other frustrated stars publicly called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the race, with some threatening to stop making campaign donations to the party.

The mood changed when Biden gave up his bid for re-election, and support for Vice President Harris grew. A California native, she is no stranger to Hollywood, having served the state as both attorney general and U.S. senator.

Now, according to political advisers, actors and musicians are clamoring to perform at Harris’s convention or other events.

“They are naturally and genuinely excited about this slate, not just as celebrities but as people, as parents, as creators,” says Donna Bojarsky, a Democratic strategist who has worked with celebrities.

Other stars may also step into the spotlight in the Congress Hall.

Given her past support of the Democrats, pop superstar Beyoncé is gaining increasing prominence.

In 2013, Beyoncé sang the US national anthem at President Barack Obama’s inauguration. And in 2016, she and her husband Jay-Z headlined a concert urging people to vote for Hillary Clinton.

According to CNN, the Grammy winner recently gave the Harris campaign permission to use the song “Freedom” to rile up crowds at public events. Last year, Beyoncé gifted Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, two concert tickets.

Beyoncé’s press agent did not respond to requests for comment on whether the singer would attend the convention.

Many Hollywood actors, producers and filmmakers consider Harris to be their hometown candidate.

She shares a home with Emhoff, a former entertainment lawyer, in the celebrity enclave of Brentwood in West Los Angeles. Media executives and stars met her during her campaigns for state office and for president in 2020.

But there is concern in some Democratic circles that too many high-profile endorsements could spark a backlash. Some say Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 election, created an image of elitism with a long line of stars campaigning on her behalf.

Boyarsky does not share this fear. She believes that endorsements from entertainers help candidates by attracting media and public attention and giving them recognition in a celebrity-driven culture.

For Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, celebrity endorsements may be more important than in the past, she said.

“This campaign is about the zeitgeist,” said Bojarsky. “It’s about the place you need to be, where people’s hearts and minds want to be.”

When celebrities endorse a candidate, “it reinforces the idea that you want to be there,” she said.

While Hollywood stars tend to support the Democrats, Republican candidate Donald Trump was able to bring some prominent supporters onto the stage at his party’s convention in Milwaukee in July.

Among those who appeared on his behalf were country singer Lee Greenwood, professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and reality TV star Savannah Chrisley.

The Democratic National Convention will reach beyond traditional Hollywood. A blue carpet will be rolled out for social media stars to create content to share with their followers. Comedian and actor Matt Friend will conduct interviews that will be shown on Snapchat.

After the convention, Hollywood stars are expected to appear at campaign rallies and campaign trails in the weeks leading up to the November 5 election.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Howard Goller)