People Are Sharing Which Celebrities They Respect, And Valid Points Were Made

    "Harry Styles. King of kindness."

    Lavinia Santos
    by Lavinia Santos

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which celebrities they respect and why, and their reasons were honestly so heartwarming. Here are some of their responses:

    1. Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift at the 2021 British Awards
    Dave J Hogan / Via Getty Images

    "She played such a big role in the whole Apple Music three-month-free-subscription controversy, which made sure the underground, nonmainstream artists you like got the money they deserved. It wouldn’t have impacted her much, but she still stood her ground against corporations exploiting artists time and time again."

    —Black Panda Bear

    "Taylor Swift worked really damn hard to make her dream come true. Awards after awards. She’s always stayed true to herself and stood her ground. She’s a great role model and talented, and her music/lyrics do connect with people."

    —SSammy

    2. Harry Styles

    Harry Styles at the red carpet for the 2020 BRIT Awards
    Jim Dyson / Redferns / Via Getty Images

    "He was always painted as a 'womaniser' in his One Direction days, but he was so much deeper than that, and he kept trying to prove it. He justified the feelings of teenage fangirls; he did #HeForShe when presenting Emma Watson with her award. He donated to causes like helping people afflicted with Parkinson's disease; cut his hair off to donate it to the Princess Fund, which makes wigs from donated hair for children undergoing chemotherapy. He's always humble, and thanks fans for everything they have done for him."

    —ruchav

    "King of kindness."

    —luvharrystyles

    3. Beyoncé

    Beyoncé posing at the red carpet for the world premiere of Disney's "The Lion King"
    Robyn Beck / AFP / Via Getty Images

    "She is a shining example of having a strong work ethic, and you never see her in any public drama with other celebs. She also gives back to her community and celebrates Black femininity."

    —viggles04

    "Beyoncé has remained humble and philanthropic. In 2020 alone, she donated millions of dollars to charities as part of her BeyGood initiative, and she has changed her art direction to move and uplift the Black community."

    —Hoggingmylifee

    "Agreed! She constantly makes sure to provide opportunities to marginalised groups. Her work ethic is unmatched, and she’s the ultimate perfectionist."

    —Joljah21

    4. Tom Holland

    Tom Holland at the SiriusXM Studios in New York City
    Astrid Stawiarz / SiriusXM / Via Getty Images

    "He always shows positivity and kindness towards his fans. He’s also respectful of others. I love how he’s not afraid to be himself."

    —Peynor

    5. Rami Malek

    Rami Malek at NBC in 2019
    NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal / Via Getty Images

    "I admire him because he's an amazing actor and a very beautiful, humble, and down-to-earth person. He’s vocal about how actors of Middle Eastern descent deserve more accurate portrayal in the industry, and how much respect he has for his Egyptian heritage.

    "He fights for causes such as the AIDS crisis and the International Rescue Committee, which helps save the lives of people from Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen. He's also grateful for his fans, friends, and family for getting him where he is today, and respectful and kind with his costars."

    —tanyam44ab2253d

    6. Mindy Kaling

    Mindy Kaling posing on the red carpet
    Leon Bennett / WireImage / Via Getty Images

    "She's such a force in an industry dominated by men. She holds her own as a comedy writer, and when she didn't see the kind of shows she could relate to on TV, she made them herself. I also respect the way she's raising her kids out of the limelight. It seems like she wants them to have a 'normal' life, and I love that."

    —NicoleD370

    7. Drew Barrymore

    Drew Barrymore at the 8th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at NASA Ames Research Center
    Rich Fury / Via Getty Images

    "I’ve always enjoyed her movies, but I admire her as a person and how she approaches life. She went through so much to get to where she is. Her strength is incredible, and she seems like an awesome mom!"

    —NoTeaNoShade

    8. Rihanna

    Rihanna posing at the 2021 Met Gala red carpet
    Angela Weiss / AFP / Via Getty Images

    "She’s a badass entrepreneur who’s done so much great charity work around the world — particularly thinking of her work with the Clara Lionel Foundation. Not to mention, she shows all kinds of women, especially BIPOC, that you can be who you really are, unapologetically yourself, and still get far and succeed. And her red carpet looks? Iconic. Love the woman!"

    —hillokie

    "She is such an inspiration to a young Black women like me — she is classy and stays out of drama and is just all around a good human being! ❤️❤️❤️"

    —ellie_koons

    9. Michael Sheen

    Michael Sheen at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversations: "Prodigal Son" at The Robin Williams Center
    Dominik Bindl / Via Getty Images

    "Underrated hottie Michael Sheen. He has declared himself a 'not-for-profit actor' and has committed to donating the majority of proceeds from his acting work to promote social causes. Can you imagine if all Hollywood actors decided they had earned enough, and all projects going forward would be dedicated to charity? I hope he starts a new trend for them."

    —Joljah21

    10. Lady Gaga

    Lady Gaga at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in Los Angeles
    RB / GC Images / Via Getty Images

    "I admire her because of everything she has done for the LGBT community, especially standing up against the 'don’t ask, don’t tell' act. She can really do it all — dancing, writing, singing, and acting. She cares so much about her fans and puts everything into anything she works on."

    —gagasevermore

    "Love her so much! I’ll never forget how she took a firm stand against Donald Trump and the way she sang at the inauguration in front of Mike Pence. Simply a queen."

    —Dee

    11. John Boyega

    John Boyega at the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony
    Nurphoto / NurPhoto / Via Getty Images

    "I saw John Boyega speak at a Black Lives Matter protest in London and...wow. Everything he said was so real and poignant (I mean, obviously), but he was also so fearless about what it would do to his career (in his own words). I really respected him in that moment — he was doing the most he possibly could as an internationally known individual, and it was amazing."

    —Sam Cleal

    "I second that. It’s annoying how so many people wanted to bring him down just because he spoke out against racism."

    —goosethekitty

    12. Steven Spielberg

    Steven Spielberg speaking onstage at the Los Angeles premiere of West Side Story
    Jesse Grant / 20th Century Studios / Via Getty Images

    "He got rejected from USC Film School THREE TIMES, and while that could make just about anyone feel defeated, he had a passion for film and believed in his potential. What truly impressed me was the level of humanity he was able to include in Schindler's List, and the sobering, harrowing emotions and vulnerability he included in that film are unlike anything I’ve seen in any other movie.

    "In addition, he has donated generously to many organisations and keeps a humble persona even with the success he has achieved in his lifetime. As an aspiring filmmaker, I have learned to make sure I am passionate in whatever I pursue."

    —ieatraw_eggs123

    13. Jane Fonda

    Jane Fonda at the Women in Film Honors
    Stefanie Keenan / Women in Film / Via Getty Images

    "The woman is incredible — she's funny, smart, and a driving force against climate change. Has anyone else given an award acceptance video while being arrested for protesting?"

    —dearpru

    14. Miz Cracker

    Miz Cracker at the 4th Annual RuPaul's DragCon at Los Angeles Convention Center
    Santiago Felipe / FilmMagic / Via Getty Images

    "Miz Cracker the drag queen! She’s so wholesome and funny, and she’s all about happiness and self-love. She always reminds her fans — or anybody watching her videos — to love the skin they’re in and to not be their worst enemy. She’s amazing!"

    —haightashbury1967

    15. Dolly Parton

    Dolly Parton at NBC
    NBC / NBCU Photo Bank / Via Getty Images

    "She donates a ton to charity and took care of her Dollywood staff during the pandemic shutdown. She gives free books to kids over the world and donated to get a COVID vaccine out quickly."

    —dellarock

    "Dolly Parton is someone I have greatly admired from a young age. She’s unafraid of being completely herself and is a role model for doing what you want to do while dressing how you want to dress — and not caring about what anyone else has to say. She was told she would never be a country music star, but she became that and SO much more."

    —cvrb3

    16. Tom Waits

    Tom Waits speaking onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
    Kevin Kane / WireImage / Via Getty Images

    "I’m afraid I don’t have the eloquence to properly describe all the ways he’s wonderful, but if you listen to his music and his interviews, his kindness, gentle good humour, and compassion for all who are struggling and in pain shines through. His music helped me through very dark, painful times in my past, and I am forever grateful 💚💚"

    —hellocomputer1701

    17. Selena Gomez

    Selena Gomez in a black dress for the premiere of "The Dead Don't Die"
    Theo Wargo / Via Getty Images

    "She’s been through a lot but always seems like a beacon of light. She has shortcomings like any other human, but she gets a lot of hate as an ex–Disney star, but she always takes criticism in stride. She donates to mental health charities, and I think she’s one of the LEAST problematic celebrities out there."

    —muminb

    18. Pink

    P!nk posing at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards
    Rich Fury / Via Getty Images for dcp

    "I always admired her when I was growing up. She wasn’t your typical early-2000s girl, and honestly, she doesn’t give a shit what people think about her."

    —Shedidit123

    19. Jason Momoa

    Jason Momoa at the Apple TV+ world premiere of "See"
    David M. Benett / Via Getty Images

    "He genuinely cares for his Hawaiian heritage and doesn’t just do it as a publicity stunt. His family is from the same neighborhood my fiancé is from — and he grew up knowing some of Jason’s extended family. His attitude towards people, his humour, and his way of carrying himself is his hometown through and through. My fiancé always says it’s like he never left."

    —Lilrahjahs

    20. Cardi B

    Cardi B at the 2021 American Music Awards
    Matt Winkelmeyer / MRC / Via Getty Images

    "Having watched a few interviews of her, I found her so funny and down to earth. When I heard she was covering funeral expenses for the people who were killed in the Bronx fire, that really made me admire her."

    —gemmat4c3f13094

    21. Andrew Garfield

    Andrew Garfield at the "tick, tick...Boom" screening
    Theo Wargo / Via Getty Images

    "Andrew Garfield has always been incredibly humble and eager to put the recognition on the director/cast he works with rather than himself. He's also a ridiculously talented actor with the face of an angel!"

    —HannahRachelle

    "He's so wholesome and reminds people like me that sensitivity is a strength.💖💖💖💖"

    —lilyhermionelovegood

    22. Emma Stone

    Emma Stone at the Los Angeles premiere of Disney's "Cruella" at El Capitan Theatre
    Frazer Harrison / Via Getty Images

    "She is an incredible actor, making it evident in movies such as Cruella, The Amazing Spider-Man, La La Land, and so on. I especially enjoy her appearances on Saturday Night Live, and she is hilarious!! She also seems really sweet and seems to adore her fans as well as her costars — and I just have a really high level of respect for her!"

    —aneggonmylegg

    23. Britney Spears

    Britney Spears at a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at The LINQ Promenade in 2015
    David Becker / Via Getty Images

    "Not only was she bullied by the media during the early years of her career, but she was under a horrible conservatorship for 13 years and was able to raise her voice and get herself out of it. Plus, she's always been kind, humble, and respectful towards her peers. Unproblematic queen."

    —ElenaBridges

    24. Louis Tomlinson

    Roy Rochlin / Via Getty Images

    "Louis Tomlinson will forever have my heart — first and foremost for his music, and then for the way he treats his fans. He has always had a charitable spirit: He held a livestream concert and then raised more than $1 million for four charities."

    —ridafarhan120

    Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. Additional thumbnail credits: Michael Ostuni via Getty Images.

    Which other celebrities do you respect, and why? Let us know in the comments below.

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