Hollywood hails Obama re-election
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. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHRHRGRGRGRRRGURBHJB EORWPSOJWPJORGWOIRGWSGODEWPGOHEPW09GJEDPOKSD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !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 ":)"
