CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention entered its third night in Chicago with several performances throughout the night.
Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and former President Bill Clinton headlined Wednesday's event with some other notable speeches from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
For the past two days, the Democrats have pulled together some celebrity entertainment for their convention. Notable moments include a surprise appearance from rapper Lil Jon during Georgia's roll call vote and a performance from Patti LaBelle.
Here's who's set to take the stage in Chicago.
Who is performing at the DNC?
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder used his keyboard as a podium on the stage of the Democratic convention, giving a brief speech before breaking into “Higher Ground.”
“We must choose courage over complacency, it is time to get UP! And go vote.”
He asked the audience, “Are y’all ready to reach a higher ground? Because you know we need Kamala Harris.”
The 74-year-old musical luminary then broke into his 1973 classic from the album “Innervisions,” accompanied by a DJ and dancers clad in white.
Wonder also sang at the 2008 convention in Denver that brought the nomination of Barack Obama.
John Legend
John Legend and Sheila E. celebrated Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz with a rendition of son-of-the-state Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” at the Democratic convention.
Legend started at the piano and the onetime Prince collaborator Sheila E. started at her signature standing percussion set before each grabbed a mic and rocked with a band at the center of the stage, tearing through the purple tune for an audience of blue delegates.
Walz has gushed about the music of Minnesota, expressing his affection for Bob Dylan, the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and Prince, who died in 2016.
Legend told The Associated Press before the convention, “I’m trying to do what I can to help protect our democracy and have someone with a really positive vision for the future elected. And I think Kamala is the right person.”
He added, “I’m so excited that she’s infused so much energy into the campaign and that young people and so many people that I think felt concerned that they had to pick between two choices they weren’t excited about.”
Oprah Winfrey
Talk show legend Oprah Winfrey appeared at the DNC on Wednesday night.
It was previously revealed that Winfrey would make a convention appearance, but it wasn’t clear what she would be doing, or whether she would endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Good evening everybody!” Winfrey shouted in tones she once used to open her talk show, and proceeded with a speech to a crowd in her hometown Chicago.
“What we’re going to do is elect Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States,” she said.
Winfrey delivered a famous endorsement to then-Sen. Barack Obama, her fellow Chicagoan, during his 2008 presidential campaign.
“Who says you can’t go home again?” she said Wednesday night.
Winfrey, a registered independent, made a direct appeal to unaffiliated and undecided voters to back Harris, saying, “Decency and respect are on the ballot in 2024.”
“Character and values matter most of all," she added.
Winfrey closed with a resounding shout of “Let us choose Kamala Harris!”
Maren Morris
Singer Maren Morris brought her plea for progress “Better Than We Found It” to the convention.
The Grammy winner from Arlington, Texas, has been leaning more toward pop recently but struck a decidedly country tone on the stage at the United Center.
“God save us all from ourselves and the hell that we’ve built for our kids,” she sang. “America, America, We’re better than this.” The song was released in 2020 in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and was viewed as an implicit rejection of former President Trump’s rhetoric.
Morris has been a vocal supporter of liberal causes and has publicly sparred with other country music figures on issues including trans rights.
She’s also set to be among the performers at a 100th birthday celebration for former President Jimmy Carter next month.
Morris was seen doing soundcheck on Wednesday ahead of the third night of the DNC, becoming the latest country star to sing at the convention.
Amanda Gorman
Poet Amanda Gorman unveiled her latest work at the DNC on Wednesday.
“A people that cannot stand together cannot stand at all,” Gorman declared from the Democratic convention stage as she recited an original piece of verse penned for the occasion, “This Sacred Scene.”
“While we all love freedom, it is love that frees us all,” Gorman’s poem said. “Empathy emancipates, making us greater than hate or vanity, that is the American promise powerful and pure.”
The 26-year-old earned rare national fame for a modern poet when she read another poem she wrote, “The Hill We Climb,” at the inauguration of President Joe Biden 3 ½ years ago.
Kenan Thompson
Comedian Kenan Thompson will be joined by “guests,” the convention said, as he discusses the conservative Project 2025 on stage during the program.
Who else is performing at the DNC?
Pop star Pink is expected to perform on the closing night of the Democratic convention in Chicago.
Pink will give a performance ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris' acceptance speech on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the planning who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the lineup.
