LOS ANGELES, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A month after turning

its back on the Democrats, Hollywood is sending star power to

the party's national convention this week to formally nominate

Kamala Harris for U.S. president.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Legend, Billy Porter and Mindy

Kaling are among the entertainment luminaries expected in

Chicago, site of the four-day Democratic National Convention

that starts on Monday.

Kaling, known for long-running comedy hit "The Office,"

was one of four hosts selected to emcee primetime events on the

convention stage, along with "Scandal" co-stars Kerry Washington

and Tony Goldwyn and "The View" commentator Ana Navarro. Each

will host one night, providing introductions and periodic

remarks, much like an Oscars host.

Other celebrities will headline nighttime parties and

concerts and, in the case of "Veep" TV star Louis-Dreyfus,

moderate a policy discussion with female governors.

The enthusiasm marks a major turnaround from mid-July, when

George Clooney and other frustrated stars publicly called for

President Joe Biden to exit the race. Some had threatened to

withhold campaign contributions to the party.

Feelings changed when Biden ended his reelection bid and

support swelled around Vice President Harris, who as a native

Californian is no stranger to Hollywood, having served the state

as both attorney general and a U.S. senator.

Now, actors and musicians are clamoring to appear at the

convention or other Harris events, say political consultants.

"They are organically, authentically excited about this

ticket, not just as celebrities but as people, as parents, as

creators," said Donna Bojarsky, a Democratic strategist who has

worked with celebrities.

Other stars may step into the spotlight inside the

convention hall.

Buzz is building around pop superstar Beyonce, given her

past support for Democrats.

In 2013, Beyonce sang the National Anthem at President

Barack Obama's inauguration. And in 2016, she and husband Jay-Z

headlined a concert urging people to vote for Hillary Clinton.

More recently, the Grammy winner granted the Harris campaign

permission to use the song "Freedom" to pump up crowds at public

events, according to CNN. Last year, Beyonce gifted a pair of

concert tickets to Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff.

Beyonce's publicist did not respond to requests for comment

on whether the singer would take part in the convention.

Many Hollywood actors, producers and filmmakers view Harris

as their hometown candidate.

She shares a home with Emhoff, a former entertainment

lawyer, in the celebrity enclave of Brentwood on the west side

of Los Angeles. Media executives and stars got to know her

during her campaigns for state office and for president in 2020.

In some Democratic circles, however, there is a worry that

too many celebrity supporters could fuel a backlash. Some felt

Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 election, created an image of

elitism with a long parade of stars campaigning for her.

Bojarsky does not share that concern. She believes

entertainers' support helps candidates by drawing the attention

of the media and the public, and by providing validation in a

celebrity-driven culture.

For Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim

Walz, celebrity endorsements may be more significant than in the

past, she said.

"This campaign is about the zeitgeist," Bojarsky said. "It's

about the place to be, about where people's hearts and minds

want to be."

When celebrities back a candidate, "it solidifies this

notion that this is where you want to be," she said.

While Hollywood names tend to support Democrats, Republican

candidate Donald Trump brought out some famous backers at the

his party's convention in Milwaukee in July.

Country singer Lee Greenwood, pro wrestler Hulk Hogan and

reality TV personality Savannah Chrisley were among those who

appeared on his behalf.

The Democratic convention will reach beyond traditional

Hollywood. A blue carpet will be rolled out for social media

stars where they can create content to share with their

followers. Comedian and actor Matt Friend will conduct

interviews that will be featured on Snapchat.

After the convention, Hollywood figures are expected to

appear at campaign rallies and get-out-the-vote drives in the

weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election.