John Legend steps into the campaign for critical Pennsylvania

He joins a growing list of celebrities, including Beyoncé, Usher and Lizzo, who have hit the campaign trail for Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats in the closing days of the 2024 election.

Legend and Casey visited two Black churches in the Philadelphia area and then spoke at a kickoff canvass event alongside Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

While Legend was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, he attended the University of Pennsylvania, entering at age 16.

NBC News spoke with Legend in an exclusive interview, covering a range of topics including abortion, Black male voters and the impact of celebrity endorsements. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

NBC NEWS: What brings you to Pennsylvania today and why is the election so important to you?

LEGEND: Well, Philly’s like my second home. I spent a lot of time here. I went to college here and made a lot of music here. Most of my band is from here and so I’ve got a lot of love for Philadelphia, and, of course, I think all Pennsylvanians know how important and crucial Pennsylvania’s voice is going to be in this election. So, I wanted to come and encourage all the great folks of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania to get out and vote, to understand the choices before them and hopefully make the right choices.

NBC NEWS: In the past week, we’ve seen tons of celebrities hitting the trail, especially for the Democratic candidates. What kind of impact do you think celebrity endorsements, like yourself, will have on this election?

LEGEND: Well, you know, I think the most important thing is our candidates and I think we’re out here because we believe in our candidates and what they stand for and what they’re planning for the country. We are well-known people and hopefully we’ll get enough attention on the candidates so that they can go out there and win these elections. But we know that the important work is what they do and they’re representing the people and they’re listening to the people. And I believe that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and Sen. Casey have great plans for the future of this nation and so we’re just out here supporting them and making sure that their plans get out to the people and that they remember that this election is really important.

NBC NEWS: And of all of your songs, which one do you think depicts this election?

LEGEND: Oh, "Glory!"

NBC NEWS: You’re from Springfield, Ohio. It’s a town that’s been in the news a lot. Do you have any comment on that?

LEGEND: Absolutely. I think everybody should go to my Instagram because I did a five-minute video on my thoughts on what was going on in my hometown, Springfield, Ohio. It was very unseemly what the former president did and what his running mate, who’s a senator from Ohio, did to slander the names of the Haitian immigrants who have come to our city and to really cause division and so much negativity on what should be a really positive story.

And the positive story is that the reason why we were attracting immigrants to Springfield, Ohio, is a growth story. It was new jobs were coming to the city and new opportunities were coming to the city and these Haitians came to Springfield legally with protected status as immigrants and they came to work. And our city’s been doing a great job of trying their best to accommodate them. Our mayor has scolded JD Vance and Donald Trump for spreading lies about these immigrants, and our governor, who’s a Republican — our mayor is a Republican too — have also said these are not true statements that have been put out about the Haitian immigrants. But JD Vance and Donald Trump are willing to divide the country and to denigrate groups of people so that they can win an election. And I’m glad that our mayor, our governor and the community of Springfield have come together to support these immigrants who have come to our city.

NBC NEWS: I know abortion is an issue that’s really personal to you. Can you talk to me a little bit about it and how you think it might be a factor in how people vote this election cycle?

LEGEND: Oh, it’s such a huge factor. And I think, you know, very seldom, and I don’t know if we ever have seen a right that was so fundamental to so many people taken away after 50 years of being in place. And that Dobbs decision, reversing Roe versus Wade, really impacted so many people. My own family has gone through so many different struggles with reproductive care and maternal care. And so many families are dealing with this all around the country. And these Trump abortion bans that have been enacted since Dobbs was decided have really affected so many lives and actually cost people’s lives. And so we’re looking forward to going back to a day when all Americans are free, all women in America are free to make decisions about their own reproductive care.

NBC NEWS: Sen. Casey, really quick, what is it like for you to have a legend like John Legend here?

SEN. BOB CASEY: It’s just great to have John here because he’s helping us get the word out about voting. And he’s here at a rally before people are going out to knock on doors, which is essential. Early this morning, we’re in two faith communities, both at Calvary Baptist and Mother Bethel AME. And to be part of a worship service, to focus on voting, our civic duty as Americans. But John, for purposes of today, we claim him as a Pennsylvanian.

LEGEND: I’m family.

NBC NEWS: John, I know some polling has shown that Black men are shifting a little bit more towards the Republican Party. What’s your message for them?

LEGEND: Well, I believe Black men are going to show up and make the right decision. I believe they’re going to show up for their communities. To protect their families and their communities from another term of Donald Trump. I think we’re going to protect our families from that. And we’re going to show up for Kamala Harris. I’m certain of it.

NBC NEWS: Why are you specifically supporting Sen. Bob Casey here in Pennsylvania, a race that could really determine which party is going to take control of the Senate?

LEGEND: Well, there’s so many things that I know that President Harris, if she becomes President Harris, will fight for, but she can’t do it without a Senate. And Bob Casey has shown for several terms now that he’ll fight for the people of Pennsylvania and the people of this country, for the working people, for women’s rights, for all the rights that we love and cherish in this country, voting rights. He’ll fight for all those things. And all presidents need a Senate, need a Congress that’s going to work with them to actually pass the agenda that they have.