Zohran Mamdani’s victory, making him the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor of New York City, sparked a wave of congratulatory posts from Hollywood actors, comedians, fashion-world figures, and global film talent with ties to his family and his Queens roots.
Hollywood, seemingly, is ecstatic over the results of last night’s non-midterm election results even if the outcome was quite predictable. For Mamdani, The win itself was called by multiple outlets late Tuesday into early Wednesday, with tallies showing a decisive margin over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. In other words, Mamdani defeated the grim reaper of nursing homes and a strange man with a red barrera.
If there’s one thing you can say about New York, it’s predictably blue… and although Mamdani as a socialist (among other attributes) is but one of many examples of the Democrat Party lurching leftward, there were no true shockers in last night’s blue state elections.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped strong reactions from both sides in Hollywood and beyond!
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New York media documented a steady drumbeat of celeb support that flipped to celebrations once races were called. The Cut rounded up posts from Bowen Yang (“Zohran” tee at the polls), Cynthia Nixon (calling Mamdani “a brilliant new young candidate”), Lupita Nyong’o (a 14-slide Instagram about knowing him for 20 years via Queen of Katwe), Emily Ratajkowski (“Hot Girls for Zohran”), SNL’s Sarah Sherman, Hari Nef, and even Al Franken saying he voted for Mamdani. Those same posts became victory notes as returns came in.
Patton Oswalt speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Stranger Things”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Patton Oswalt was perhaps one of the worst offenders of human decency on the night, resharing a sentiment that hopes for the end of a famous Jewish attorney and pundit if Mamdani won. Oswalt is a Marvel Star and the voice of Max from The Secret Life of Pets.
If you’re still in line, STAY IN LINE
— Abe El-Raheb / Editor & Writer (@eldashraheb.bsky.social) November 4, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Because Mamdani is filmmaker Mira Nair’s son (a Bollywood fixture, as well as a Disney documentarian), congratulations poured in from the Indian and global film community overnight. Coverage highlighted messages from Zoya Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Hansal Mehta, Sonam Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and others, framing the result as a cross-cultural milestone that resonated beyond the U.S. entertainment bubble.
Not all celebrity talk was celebratory, however. Debra Messing drew sharp criticism, but also praise, after sharing a meme about Mamdani on election day; the uproar continued into the night as results posted, with entertainment press detailing the blowback and calling the share irresponsible. Of course, conservative and centrist commentators had opposing views. The moment underscored how polarizing the race had become in parts of media and celebrity discourse.
debra messing has posted 100 instagram stories in the past 24 hours pic.twitter.com/500GtoFu1I
— chris randle (@randlechris) November 4, 2025
Beyond Hollywood, national and international figures amplified the moment. Major outlets cataloged praise from leftist leaders abroad and pushback from conservative politicians in the U.S., reinforcing the symbolic stakes celebrities were reacting to: a youthful, left-populist mayor taking over America’s largest city.
In one of the most bizarre situations of the night, some commentators of both political persuasions were critical of Mamdani’s acceptance speech… on CNN!
Scott Jennings on Zohran Mamdani’s angry and divisive speech after being elected Mayor of New York City: “Oh, are you saying… he wasn’t the unifying voice of a generation that you predicted mere moments ago? Axe, where was the man that you predicted would not slice and dice? He… pic.twitter.com/RL6bf55V4H
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) November 5, 2025
For NYC’s creative class, the mayor’s race doubled as a referendum on affordability, arts access, and the day-to-day realities of the city’s working talent. That’s why so many performers and filmmakers posted actively during voting, and why their post-call reactions landed as more than generic congrats. With a platform centered on housing and cost-of-living relief, Mamdani’s win represents a civic story celebrities personally experience in New York. At the same time, a financial exodus could be forthcoming for the city as successful, business people fine greener taxation pastures.
The amazing thing about all of this from an entertainment standpoint? Don’t be shocked if Hollywood suddenly believes that last night is an indication they should entirely go back to the way they were making movies and streaming shows before 2024. If fact, be surprised if Hollywood sees it any other way.
How do you feel about Hollywood figures celebrating the election of Zohran Mamdani? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
