Top Celebrities Making a Difference Through Activism in 2025

In 2025, celebrities are using their platforms to bring about meaningful change in the environment and amongst their fan bases. Whether it be climate change bills or fundraising money for social justice campaigns– Their power is being used for the right reasons to influence change rather than focusing on riches. 

This article looks at 10 celebrities who have brought about change through their celebrity activism, displaying their on the ground impact centered work inspiring millions of fans.  

The reason why celebrity Activism Matters in 2025

Celebrity activism is a force for good, with 68% of fans saying stars influence their social awareness, per a 2025 Nielsen report. Social media amplifies their reach, turning posts into global calls to action.

 From funding nonprofits to risking arrest, these celebrities are redefining fame as a tool for change. Drawing from recent web insights and X buzz, here are the top 10 activists to watch in 2025.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio (Environmental Conservation)

Activism cause: Climate Change and Wildlife Preservation advocate 

Trajectory:  The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation which was founded in 1998, funded over $100 million in conservation projects. Dicaprio’s 2025 Netflix documentary, ‘After the Flood’ highlights potential conservation techniques for climate change. His X posts rallying for COP30 policies reach millions. 

Impact: DiCaprio’s project supports over 35+ projects, from ocean preservation to protecting the  human rights of Indigenous people

How to help:  Follow @LeoDiCaprio on Instagram for updates or donate to his foundation at leonardodicaprio.org.

Recommendation: Stream  ‘Before the Flood’ on National Geographic to understand the root of his advocacy for climate change 

2. Angelina Jolie (Humanitarian Aid)

Activism cause: Refugee Rights and Women empowerment advocate 

Trajectory: A UNHCR Special Envoy, Jolie has visited 60+ refugee camps since 2001. In 2025, her Jolie-Pitt Foundation is funding education for displaced girls in Sudan. Her Elle op-eds inspire action, emphasizing service over fame through powerful celebrity activism.

Impact: Donated $1 million to refugees in Afghanistan and supported over 20+ global human rights initiatives.

How to help:  Support unhcr.org or follow @UNRefugees on X for updates.

Recommendation: Read Jolie’s 2018 Elle essay for insights into her humanitarian philosophy.

Curious about the private lives of famous gen-z celebrities? Read about their lives here

3. Beyoncé (Social Justice, Education)

Activism cause: Empowering youth and racial equality 

Trajectory:  Beyoncé is a huge advocate for Black Lives Matter, even having founded the BeyGOOD initiative which provides scholarships for Black students from lower class backgrounds. 

In 2025, Beyonce launched a music-based literacy program for youth facing poverty. Her visual album, ‘Cowboy Carter’ is a testament for how she is able to intersect art with activism.

Impact: She has donated over $2 million to HBCUs in 2024 alone.

How to help: Check out beygood.org or follow @Beyonce on X for program updates.

Recommendation: Stream her album Cowboy Carter to see how she blends social justice with storytelling.

4. Jane Fonda (Climate Action and Social Justice advocate )

Activism cause: Environmental Protection, Gender Equality

Trajectory: At 87, Fonda’s Fire Drill Fridays protests continue, with 2025 rallies targeting fossil fuel divestment. Arrested five times in 2019, she’s a fearless voice in celebrity activism. Her X posts mobilize fans for climate change marches.

Impact: Raised $1 million for youth empowerment programs in Georgia

How to help: Learn about Fire Drill Fridays at firedrillfridays.org or follow @JaneFonda on X.

Recommendation: Watch her 2019 TED Talk on climate change activism for inspiration.

5. Greta Thunberg (Environmental Activist)

Activism cause: Climate Change and Education for youth advocate 

Trajectory: Greta Thunberg achieved viral fame at just 19 years old when she began advocating for climate change outside the Swedish government every Friday. Even at 22, Thunberg remains passionate as an environmental activist. In 2025, she led a humanitarian aid mission to occupied Gaza which later got captured by Israeli forces. 

Impact: Inspired over 1.6 million students to strike in 2019.

How to help: Join Fridays For Future at fridaysforfuture.org or follow @GretaThunberg on X.

Recommendation: Read her book No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference on climate change and human rights

6. Taylor Swift ( Queer Rights and  Disaster Relief advocate)

Activism cause: Activism based on equality and community 

Trajectory: Swift donated over $10 million dollars to the Tennessee wildfire victims in 2025. She also consistently shares her projects on X. A strong advocate for queer rights, Swift incorporates sapphic lyrics into most of her songs.

Impact: Raised $750,000 for GLAAD through 2019 campaigns.

How to help: Support GLAAD at glaad.org or follow @TaylorSwift on X.

Recommendation: Watch her 2019 VMAs speech on social justice and inclusion

7. Billie Eilish (Action against climate change and  Animal Rights activist ) 

Activism cause: Sustainability and Veganism

Trajectory: Eilish headlines FireAid, a 2025 benefit concert for California wildfire victims, announced by ABC on X. Her vegan lifestyle and fur-free Met Gala stance push sustainability. Her 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft addresses climate change themes.

Impact: Influenced many celebrities to go against using animal skin in Fashion

How to help: Follow @BillieEilish on X or support Green Futures at greenfutures.org.

Recommendation: Check her Instagram handle @BillieEilish for vegan recipes and eco-tips.

It’s hard to be an activist and take action against social injustice if your mental health is not in a good place. Read about how to set better boundaries for your mental health here

8. America Ferrera (Immigration Reform and Latinx Rights advocate)

Activism cause: Immigrant Rights, Representation

Trajectory: Ferrera’s Harness nonprofit empowers artists for political impact. In 2025, she’s advocating for DREAMers via speeches at Democratic events, amplifying Latinx voices in her celebrity activism. Her book American Like Me inspires inclusion and human rights awareness. 

Impact: Spoke at a Woman’s march in 2017 to over 500,000 attendees.

How to help: Visit the harness. Community or follow @AmericaFerrera on X.

Recommendation: Read American Like Me for diverse first-generation experiences of social justice

9. Millie Bobby Brown (Gender Equality, Education)

Activism cause: Girls’ Rights, Youth Empowerment

Trajectory: Why They Stand Out: As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Brown’s 2025 UN speech on girls’ education, shared by UNICEF on X, reached 10 million views. Her Florence by Mills brand donates to girls’ literacy programs as a part of her activism.

Impact: Raised over $1 million for UNICEF’s education fund in 2024.

How to help: Support UNICEF at unicef.org or follow @MillieBBrown on X.

Recommendation: Watch her UN speech on YouTube to hear her human rights advocacy in real time 

10. Lizzo (Racial Justice, Body Positivity)

Activism cause: Anti-Racism, Self-Love

Trajectory: In 2025, Lizzo gave a speech at Central Park, calling out systemic racism, which later went viral on X. Her brand Yitty promotes body inclusivity, and she also funds mentorship programs for black youth

Impact: Spoke at a Global Citizen Live program with over 60,000 attendees 

How to help: Follow @Lizzo on X or support Global Citizen at globalcitizen.org.

Recommendation: Check her Instagram @Lizzobeating 

Why These Celebrities Are Gaining Popularity: 

These stars combine influence with action, risking criticism to champion causes. Their work, whether funding schools, protesting pipelines, or speaking at the UN, drives social justice and human rights awareness. 

A 2025 Pew Research study notes that 67% of Americans see social media activism as vital for change, and these celebrities excel at it. Their  social media presence helps to amplify their call for action. Think DiCaprio’s posts on climate change or Brown’s UN speech promoting human rights.  

Conclusion

In 2025  these top celebrities are proving that fame can be a platform to bring about change in the world and from Leonardo DiCaprio’s climate change activism to Lizzo’s social justice advocacy, they inspire millions every day. 

Their activism, which is rooted in passion and amplified by social media, helps shape a better world. 

Whether you as a reader are able to donate, take part in marches, or share posts, you too can join their mission today!

Which celebrity activist inspires you most? Share your favorite in the comments below, or join the conversation on X!

Follow GoZuni for more celebrity news with researched backing!