Oh, the scene was set: Georgia, land of peaches, southern charm, and… reproductive rights rallies? Yes, indeed! On this fine Wednesday (October 9), in Canton, Georgia, Julia Roberts, the woman who made everyone question whether they, too, could pull off a pixie cut, graced the stage. But she wasn’t there to reenact Pretty Woman. No, Julia was getting political, people! She hugged none other than former Georgia House of Representatives politician Stacey Abrams, like they were long-lost BFFs at a high school reunion. It was the hug seen ’round the world—cue emotional music and slow-motion replay.
Julia, being the queen of Hollywood charm and clever wardrobe choices, showed up in a shirt that was probably the envy of every graphic designer in the crowd. The shirt? Oh, just a simple masterpiece that read “Kamala,” with the most extra, yet completely necessary, comma next to the “la.” That’s right: “Kamala.” Get it? Get it? Julia really wanted you to get it.
Once she was done showing off her shirt (honestly, she could’ve just stood there and let the shirt do all the talking), Julia grabbed the mic and spoke passionately about reproductive rights. And, as if channeling her inner Southern belle, she let everyone know, “I believe in Georgia!” Translation: “Y’all, I love my home state, and we’re about to make some moves!” She went on to drop the subtle hint that maybe, just maybe, the men who weren’t at the rally should be dragged, kicking and screaming, into the conversation. “Ladies, talk to your dudes. Dudes, talk to your dude friends.” Julia Roberts: Oscar winner, reproductive rights advocate, and now, unofficial couples counselor.
As the rally wound down, you could feel the anticipation in the air—the Presidential election on November 5 was just around the corner. Would Julia’s shirt, Stacey’s hug, and all those reproductive rights vibes change the course of history? Only time would tell, but one thing was for sure: Julia Roberts + political activism = box office gold.