This week, two of America’s most enduring sweethearts have made it clear how they are voting in the upcoming election. Most recently it was Jennifer Aniston – she posted on Instagram yesterday that she voted, and in the caption confirmed, not surprisingly, that she’d voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz.

I say it’s not a surprise because Jen has already clapped back at JD Vance over his “childless cat lady” remarks and, in the past, voiced her support for reproductive freedom. She also voted for President Joe Biden in 2020. Here’s her post this time:

You will note that she did not turn off the comments. And I’ve remarked on this before – the comment section reveals a lot about who some of her fans are. Which, of course by now, Jen would have already been aware of… and she, presumably, is undeterred. It’s become one of my favourite things about her.

The other America’s Sweetheart is Julia Roberts. A couple of weeks ago she was campaigning in her home state George with Governor Walz. This week she made headlines because she voices this ad:

Unlike Jen, Julia restricts comments on her post. But even though she can’t see them on her feed, she too is likely aware of what some of her followers would say. Trump supporters are apoplectic about these ads, claiming they’re insulting to women. You know what’s more insulting to women? Violating their reproductive rights and being told what they should do with their bodies and how they must live their lives.

Related to this topic, The Cut published a piece yesterday about the experiences of four women who are voting for VP Harris even though their husbands are Trump supporters. All of them are vulnerably giving insight into their lives, their frustrations, their realities and I’m better for having read it. These are the kinds of stories that encourage understanding and empathy. Which, as Jennifer Aniston said in her post, is essential if we want to “find our way back to each other with respect, common cause, and LOVE.”