With one week left within the 2024 presidential election and early voting in a number of states in full swing, Love Island USA season six winners Serena Web page and Kordell Beckham have partnered with Lyft for a PSA emphasizing the significance of attending to the polls. We talked with the couple to see why they selected this partnership when their affect is at an all-time excessive.
EBONY: After Love Island, the world is your oyster. Why do you are feeling it’s vital to make use of your platform to encourage folks to vote?
Serena Web page: It’s extraordinarily heartwarming to have this platform after Love Island and to have so many individuals care about our opinions and what we’ve to say. We’re impressed to make use of it for good and encourage others, which we hope our PSA video with Lyft accomplishes. Voting is an important proper; we wish to assist our group make its voices heard.
Kordell Beckham: It’s such a privilege to be an adolescent dwelling at the moment and have such a tremendous platform the place we are able to have a voice about subjects that basically matter. It’s nice to have enjoyable and do all of the thrilling new issues our time on Love Island has afforded us, however it’s much more vital to be concerned in the neighborhood and be a catalyst for optimistic change.
Similar to in Love Island, the place public votes can dramatically change the sport, how do you suppose public opinion shapes the outcomes of nationwide elections?
Beckham: Public opinion is de facto the whole lot in the case of elections. There’s a lot info coming at people, and it’s very tough to sift by means of all of it; so, no matter messages are most impactful and resonate with essentially the most listeners is what’s mirrored when it’s time for folks to vote.
Web page: Public opinion in nationwide elections holds a number of energy as a result of lots of people don’t have the sources and knowledge wanted, so they appear to these with a platform and affect to assist navigate their choices.
What’s your private expertise with voting? What has impressed you to vote previously, and in case you haven’t, what makes you excited to vote on this election?
Web page: My private expertise began after I was in school. There was a number of hype round it, so it felt vital to vote. Being round individuals who had been educated on it made me wish to study extra about it and information me to a extra educated choice.
Beckham: Voting was such a ceremony of passage for me. It’s an enormous deal in my household, so after I was capable of vote for the primary time 4 years in the past, it was a serious milestone.
Why do you suppose persons are keen to vote for Love Island however not in public elections? Why ought to they alter that perspective?
Web page: Voting for Love Island {couples} is so simple as sending a textual content. For public elections, there are limitations to voting. Lyft is doing good by providing a 50% low cost on rides to the polls on Election Day to interrupt down transportation limitations and construct up participation. Everybody ought to really feel empowered to get out and vote! You can also make an actual distinction.
Beckham: Entry to polling locations and knowledge are the 2 greatest obstacles to voting, I believe. I’m honored to accomplice with Lyft, which is making it simpler than ever for folks from all walks of life to get to the polls this yr.
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Inform me extra about your partnership with Lyft and their 2024 Voting Entry Program! What appealed to you about working with them on this particular program?
Beckham: I believe Lyft is such a giant a part of this technology’s lives. We put it to use on a regular basis going out to go to one another, so it’s such a pure development to make use of it this yr to verify we’re capable of get out and vote. The 50% off experience code makes one thing we use on a regular basis even simpler. So, for me, it was a no brainer to hitch the marketing campaign!
Web page: We love the means and motivation Lyft is offering for younger voters by means of their 2024 Voting Entry Program. From the 50% experience code to different work, they do to assist shut the hole. It felt like a pure match for us to get entangled and encourage others to get to the polls.
Serena, one of many issues that followers have come to study you is that you’re a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Inform me how being a member of this illustrious group has formed your views on group involvement.
Web page: Becoming a member of an illustrious group like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. confirmed me how vital having a group is, particularly as a Black lady. It made me understand that everyone comes from totally different backgrounds and are coping with various things, and one thing as small as having a group to depend on could make a world of distinction. So, getting concerned in your group makes extra of an affect than folks suppose.
Kordell, as somebody who has seen what it means to be a public determine nicely earlier than your time on Love Island, do you are feeling a accountability now to make use of your platform to encourage younger folks to have interaction in civic duties, similar to voting? If that’s the case, how?
Beckham: Sure, I do. As you talked about, I’ve seen my brother reside a really public life for the previous a number of years and the affect he can have on the lives of those that admire him. I’m excited that I get to do this too, now. I’ve many basic core beliefs like being type to all folks, being respectful and principally making an attempt my greatest to be an excellent human. I wish to share these beliefs and hopefully encourage others to be a optimistic pressure in the neighborhood and their very own households.
Serena, in your opinion, what are some efficient methods to empower younger folks to have their voices heard in social and political issues?
Web page: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or admit that you could be be uneducated in sure areas. Be taught to repair that. [Also, hold] house for significant conversations with your pals and educate others on the how and the why.
How vital are range and illustration in actuality TV and politics?
Web page: It’s extraordinarily vital to see somebody like your self preventing for what you imagine, each in actuality and politics. There’s a number of worth in seeing folks from totally different walks of life and cultural backgrounds, seeing somebody from the same background doing what you might wish to do or simply giving totally different views.
Lastly, Kordell, what sort of legacy do you hope to depart behind, notably relating to your affect on youthful audiences?
Kordell: I actually can’t stand it when persons are imply. Which will sound easy, however when it’s all stated and performed, I hope that folks I are available in contact with will stroll away going, “Man, that’s an excellent dude,” and, in flip, pay it ahead.
In the event you’re Lyfting to the polls, use promo code “VOTE24” for 50% off your experience on election day, November 5.