Variety reports:

In an unprecedented online wave, the day after Lula came second in the first round [of voting in Brazil’s presidential election], fan accounts for major artists such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Katseye, Demi Lovato, Harry Styles, Katy Perry and Selena Gomez ignited a movement, offering their massive platforms to amplify the current president’s campaign and help boost their access to young audiences. The quickly spreading movement began with a Billie Eilish fan account, with the singer’s famed brother, musician Finneas, posting a picture making the pro-Lula “L” sign on social media soon after.

Swifties in particular have rushed in droves to support Lula’s campaign, proliferating popular memes that included inserts of Lula in popular Swift music videos and an image of the famed blonde singer wearing Lula’s now signature hat (which fans have named “Taylula”). Flags printed with such images were frequently spotted at demonstrations, with fans also posting the hashtag #SwiftiesComLula (Swifties With Lula, in literal translation) on social media.

More than 600 Brazilian fanbase groups came out in support of Lula in the run-up to the Oct. 25 election, according to The Guardian.

“I’m not sure whether to open this speech with ‘comrades’ or ‘fandoms from all over Brazil’,” Lula said earlier this month, starting a speech at a rally on São Paulo’s Avenida Paulista which attracted a crowd estimated by its organizers at over a million.

“We’re inspired by these artists, and Taylor is always talking about how young people should take the lead,” said Josiane, a Swiftie in São Paulo, quoted by the same source. [Continue reading…]