International Celebrities Rally Behind Lula’s 2026 Re-Election Campaign

As Brazil approaches the runoff of its 2026 presidential election, a notable surge of international celebrity endorsements has emerged in support of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). This wave of backing from the global cultural community highlights Lula’s influence and underscores the international attention on the Brazilian elections.

Filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho released a high-profile video featuring an ensemble of renowned Brazilian and international artists expressing support for Lula’s re-election. Among the notable figures appearing are American actors Mark Ruffalo and Gael García Bernal, Spanish actor Javier Bardem, British actress Tilda Swinton, French actress Juliette Binoche, and acclaimed directors Guillermo del Toro and Pedro Almodóvar. Brazilian celebrities such as Wagner Moura, Bruna Marquezine, and Caetano Veloso also participated, signaling a coalition of artistic voices rallying behind Lula’s candidacy. Mendonça Filho highlighted that the video seeks to draw attention to the global cultural community’s vested interest in Brazil’s political landscape, emphasizing the symbolic importance of this mobilization.

Beyond the video, individual endorsements on social media have amplified Lula’s campaign. Pop icon Madonna shared posts focusing on themes of democracy, education, and science, advocating for Lula’s reelection. Actor Mark Ruffalo called on voters to be "heroes for the environment and Brazil," while musician Roger Waters openly criticized Lula’s opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, and his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. Pedro Pascal, famous for roles in "The Last of Us" and "O Mandaloriano," also posted Instagram stories supporting Lula, including a selfie featuring the campaign’s trademark "L" hand gesture and the hashtag #BoraLula.

Musical groups like The Strokes contributed by sharing video montages accompanied by songs critical of capitalism, further reinforcing Lula’s narrative on social media. Additionally, Mexican actor Alfonso Herrera posted a photo alongside Lula with messages of support. This dynamic movement of international artistic voices complements widespread backing from Brazilian artists, who have also publicly taken sides in the closely contested election.

The growing chorus of celebrity endorsements ahead of Brazil's October 25 runoff illustrates the significance of the election on a global scale and the cultural sector’s active engagement in championing democratic causes. With the world watching, these prominent figures are leveraging their platforms to influence public opinion and bolster Lula's bid for a new term.