Julia Roberts Reminds Americans 'Our Children Are Watching' In Female-Led Voting Ad

Julia Roberts has launched a new ad campaign, encouraging Americans to make their voices heard in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in the upcoming election.

Taking to Instagram, the "Pretty Woman" actress shared the female-led campaign video, emphasizing the importance of voting and the impact it has on future generations.

The video shared on Julia Roberts' Instagram page is filled with messages centered on equality and the preservation of fundamental rights, and urges viewers to “Vote for us, vote for her, vote for Kamala.”

Featuring appearances from influential female figures, both historical and contemporary—including activist Betsy Ross, Hilary Clinton, and soccer star Megan Rapinoe—the ad campaign taps into a legacy of women’s leadership and advocacy, connecting past struggles with today’s battles for equality.

A recurring theme in the video is the protection of women’s rights, with particular emphasis on Roe v. Wade and issues of reproductive freedom. The ad reflects a call for action at a critical time, reminding viewers that the choices they make will shape the future, not just for themselves but for generations to come.

“Our children are watching,” Roberts wrote in the caption, a message from Liz Cheney's opening statement at Capitol Riot hearing in July 2021.

With a focus on unity and collective action, the campaign echoes Roberts’ own advocacy for civic engagement, highlighting the belief that voting is both a right and a powerful tool for change.

In addition to using historical photos and videos of prominent women, Roberts also used Laura Bell Bundy's song, "American Girl," which includes the lyrics:

"Why’s it so hard being an American girl
Why’s it so hard living in a first-problem world
When the American promise is the land of the free
But I’m waiting for the bill for the air that I breath
Why’s it so hard being an American girl."

In sharing this message, Roberts and her fellow advocates aim to remind Americans that their voices have the potential to drive progress and shape a future rooted in equality and justice.

A recent campaign ad narrated by Roberts for the Harris-Walz ticket has sparked widespread debate after its release by the progressive evangelical group "Vote Common Good" on Monday, October 28.

"In the one place in America where women still have a right to choose, you can vote any way you want, and no one will ever know," Roberts said in the ad, which features two women casting their votes for Vice President Harris and Minnesota Governor Walz.

When they rejoin their husbands, one husband asks his wife, “Did you make the right choice?” to which she responds confidently, “Sure did, honey.”

Intended to empower women voters with the message that they can vote independently of their husbands, the ad has instead faced backlash, with many critics calling it out-of-touch and patronizing.

"Julia Roberts does the voice-over for this execrable political ad," Boyce College Professor Denny Burk posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "The gist of it is this: Since men like your husband have taken away your right to choose abortion, you can stick it to them by exercising your right to choose Harris-Walz."

Author and columnist Caryn Sullivan said, "Don't be that woman."

The backlash didn't stop there...

"This ad featuring actress Julia Roberts encourages women to defy or lie to their husbands because the end (abortion) justifies the means," Sullivan added. "A fitting way to end a campaign marked by dishonesty and false claims of unity."

"Women aren't stupid. This is absurdly condescending," one X user said.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.