Mark Wahlberg Thinks Celebrities Need to 'Shut Up' When It Comes to Politics

Gettyimages | Nicholas Hunt

With the advent of social media platforms, celebrities are able to give their opinions on matters more than ever, especially when it comes to making comments on political issues.

This relatively new avenue for them to speak is an addition to the award shows where celebrities get on stage and try to push their political agendas on people in attendance and those watching on television. Their comments usually fall on deaf ears, but one person is sick of hearing what they have to say and is calling for them to 'shut up'.

Gettyimages | Gregg DeGuire

Mark Wahlberg, someone who has been a rapper, opened his own chain of burger restaurants, and has had starring roles in a number of films, isn't a fan of celebrities voicing their political opinions. To Wahlberg, the 'Hollywood Elite' are too out of touch with the common person to even have the right to speak out on issues plaguing most of the country.

"A lot of celebrities did, do, and shouldn’t," the actor told Task & Purpose, referring to celebrities constantly feeling the need to push their political comments and agendas on other people.

Gettyimages | Leon Bennett

"You know, it just goes to show you that people aren’t listening to that anyway," he continued in his anti-celebrity rant. "They might buy your CD or watch your movie, but you don’t put food on their table. You don’t pay their bills. A lot of Hollywood is living in a bubble. They’re pretty out of touch with the common person, the everyday guy out there providing for their family."

For Wahlberg, he's been in the blue-collar world and experienced what the common person does, making his comments at least remotely applicable to the other people who are subjected to celebrity opinions about social and political issues.

Gettyimages | David M. Benett

"Me, I’m very aware of the real world. I come from the real world and I exist in the real world. And although I can navigate Hollywood and I love the business and the opportunities it’s afforded me, I also understand what it’s like not to have all that," the former rapper concluded.

And while many people would agree with Wahlberg's comments, he, too, is now a celebrity. Although, he seems to have taken his own advice, very rarely speaking about politics unless asked, and even then, it's brief and not directed at influencing anyone else.

Gettyimages | Kevin Winter

One person on social media echoed his sentiments, sharing that celebrities are 'out of touch' with real issues that are affecting people around the world.

"I do get tired of celebrities spouting off like we should listen to them, most of them don't even know what living in the real world is. Their opinions don't count anymore than mine or yours but because they have access to a platform to run their mouths we are supposed to listen," they said.

Another advocated for letting them speak, which would only further expose their lack of knowledge on key issues. "I will never support any effort to limit the speech of anyone, even those whom I consider enemies let alone those with whom I disagree. Let them babble on. The more they speak, the easier it is to see their errors..." they wrote.