Published : Nov. 8, 2012 - 09:20
A person poses with a cell phone in front of a computer screen to check Barack Obama's tweet on November 7, 2012 in Paris after his re-election as US president. Barack Obama brought his sophisticated social media campaign to an emotional climax, proclaiming his victory on Twitter and Facebook just as TV networks were breaking the news. The post was his most re-tweeted -- 472,000 shares in three hours -- according to Twitter's politics account @gov. It was also the most popular ever, topping a message from singer Justin Bieber, website BuzzFeed said. (AFP-Yonhap News)
Hollywood and the entertainment industry on Wednesday hailed the re-election of President Barack Obama, who won widespread celebrity backing and funding help in the race for the White House.
Stars took to Twitter en masse to welcome the Democratic incumbent's victory over Republican rival Mitt Romney in the early hours of Wednesday, after a bruising campaign battle.
"I'm proud of where I come from... but I'm even more proud of where we are going," said singer and producer will.i.am, one of Obama's most vocal supporters.
"All that travel, hard work and campaigning was worth it... and now it's time to work even harder."
Flamboyant pop diva Lady Gaga reacted to the clean-cut election win in typical off-beat style.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHRHRGRGRGRRRGURBHJBEORWPSOJWPJORGWOIRGWSGODEWPGOHEPW09GJEDPOKSD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0924QU8T63095JRGHWPE09UJ0PWHRGW," she wrote in an initial tweet.
In a more intelligible reaction, she added: "CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT @BarackObama We are so proud to be American tonight! YES!!! YES! YES!!"
Obama has long had friends in Tinseltown, and traveled here repeatedly during the campaign season -- including for a lavish fundraising party hosted by George Clooney in May, in his Hollywood hills home.
Dubbed "Starmageddon" and organized by DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, the event was said to have made some $15 million. The guest list included Barbra Streisand, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Billy Crystal.
Obama was back in October, for a fundraising show headlined by Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry and Earth, Wind and Fire -- as well as Clooney -- for which 6,000 people paid at least $250 a head.
"Pulp Fiction" actor Samuel L. Jackson -- who made an expletive-ridden but very amusing video before the election urging people to vote for Obama -- was among those voicing relief Wednesday.
"A deep sigh of relief before celebration! Congratulations are in order for all who went out & worked & kept the faith & WOULD NOT BE DENIED!" he tweeted, after an initial "RISE UP!!!!!"
Whoopi Goldberg added: "I'm so happy, NOW that (Obama) WON, will all you racists & nasty vitriolic angry folks GO AWAY & take your CRAP w you."
The long list of President Barack Obama's A-list supporters included Clooney, Robert De Niro, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Morgan Freeman and Robert Redford.
Romney's celebrity backers were far fewer in number. Probably the most high-profile, Clint Eastwood, raised eyebrows by talking to Obama in an empty chair at the Republican convention in August.
Actor Mark Ruffalo meanwhile took fiercely anti-Obama tycoon Donald Trump to task over a series of tweets made shortly after Tuesday night's decision -- some of which had since been deleted.
Trump notably opined that "our nation is a once great nation divided" and said "the world is laughing at us," encouraging his Twitter followers to mount a "revolution in this country."
"The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy," he said, referring to the 538-member body which will formally elect Obama as president after he secured easily more than the 270 delegates required.
Ruffalo tweeted: "Donald Trump just called for a Revolution. Doesnt like democracy i guess."
From the music world, Mary J Blige tweeted: "Congratulations Mr.President!!!! I was never worried and i never doubted you!!! God bless you!!! 4 more years!!!," while Rihanna said "Put one in da air for the Prez! Our dear Obama!"
Grammy-winning singer John Legend simply tweeted the emoticon ":)" (AFP)
‘오바마 재선 축하’ 할리우드 스타들 말말말
미국 대선 기간에 버락 오바마 대통령에게 아낌없는 지원과 기부금을 보냈던 할리우드 스타들은 대통령의 재선 소식에 환호했다.
치열한 접전 끝에 오바마 대통령이 공화당의 밋 롬니 후보를 누르고 승리하자 7일(현지시간) 트위터에는 할리우드와 연예계 유명인사들의 축하 메시지가 쏟아졌다.
오바마 응원 동영상에 출연해 화제를 모았던 할리우드 흑인 배우 새뮤얼 잭슨은 자신의 트위터에 "이제야 안심이 되네요! 그동안 열심히 일하고 신념을 지켜온 모든 이들에게 축하를 보냅니다!"라는 글을 올렸다.
영화배우 우피 골드버그는 "정말 행복하다. 오바마 대통령이 승리했으니 모든 인종주의자와 형편없는 독설에 찬 이들은 사라질 것"이라며 기뻐했다.
가수 겸 제작자인 윌아이엠(will.i.am)은 "내가 태어난 나라에 자부심을 느끼고 우리가 앞으로 나아갈 미래는 더욱 자랑스럽다"며 "모든 여정과 고생은 가치 있었다. 이제 더욱 열심히 일할 때"라는 트윗을 올렸다.
레이디 가가는 "축하합니다! 오늘 밤 미국인이라는 사실이 자랑스럽네요!"라며 환호했다.
가수 메리 제이 블라이즈는 "단 한 번도 걱정하거나 의심하지 않았다. 대통령에 게 신의 가호가 있기를! 4년 더!"라는 트윗을 남겼다.
오바마 대통령은 선거운동 기간에 할리우드를 여러 차례 방문해 스타 지원군을 확보했다.
지난 5월 할리우드 힐에 있는 배우 조지 클루니의 자택에서 열린 선거자금 모금 행사에는 배우 바브라 스트라이샌드, 로버트 다우니 주니어, 잭 블랙, 빌리 크리스털 등 유명인사가 대거 참석했으며 총 1천500만달러(약 163억원)의 거액이 모였다.
지난달 로스앤젤레스 노키아 극장에서 열린 '대선 승리를 위한 D-30' 공연에는 스티비 원더와 제니퍼 허드슨, 케이티 페리, 존 본 조비 등 영화•음악 분야 유명 인사들이 찾아 오바마를 응원했다.