Top 10 Celebrity Human Rights Activists

Last updated on September 17th, 2025 at 12:27 pm

In recent years, celebrities have used their money, power and fame to promote human rights across the world. From fighting poverty to ensuring the right to education, these celebrities have helped common people. 

In this article, we have compiled a list of top 10 celebrity human rights activists who made efforts in support of human rights across the world.

Top 10 Celebrity Human Rights Activists

1. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, who has been named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress multiple times, is one of the best celebrity human rights activists. She became the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2001 in order to support migrants and refugees.

She has always called for an end of violence against kids and women in conflict zones. Throughout her time with UNHCR, she has carried out more than 60 field missions. 

Recently, Angelina Jolie slammed Pakistan for forced expulsion of Afghan migrants. She described the sufferings of Afghan migrants as “another example of the backsliding in human rights globally.”

2. Shakira

Shakira, a Colombian singer and songwriter, is also one of the top celebrity human rights activists. She founded Pies Descalzos Foundation to give poor children the right to education. She was designated as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador in 2003. She also participated in projects with the World Bank to help poor people. 

3. Beyoncé

Beyoncé, an American singer, songwriter and businesswoman, is also known for her humanitarian work. She founded the Survivor Foundation to provide shelter and housing to the Houston victims of Hurricane Katrina. She also supports and promotes women’s rights. She is an Advocate for Black Women’s Rights.

4. Rihanna

Rihanna, a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, actress, and songwriter, has always been vocal about LGBTQIA+ rights, children education and women’s rights. She is the founder of Clara Lionel Foundation, which funds education as well as supports health programmes across the world.

5. Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra – an Indian actress and producer and the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant – is also one of the best celebrity human rights activists. In 2016, the actress was made a UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) Goodwill Ambassador. She always promotes education for the girl child.

6. Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon, who is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, is known for her humanitarian work. She has always raised voices for greater representation of people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities in Hollywood. She has her own company called ‘Hello Sunshine’, which promotes greater representation of LGBTQ+ community in films.

7. Elliot Page

Elliot Page, who has received various accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award, is also a great human rights activist. In 2014, he became a public advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. After coming out as transgender in 2020, he became an activist for trans issues.

8. Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae, who has received ten Grammy Award nominations, and won a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Children’s and Family Emmy Award, has always marched in Black Lives Matter protests. She pledged support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

9. James Cromwell

James Cromwell, an American actor, began his activism during the civil rights movement and Vietnam War. He has received a Primetime Emmy Award as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Babe. He has always supported human rights and animal rights.

10. Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid is one of the top celebrity human rights activists. Gigi Hadid and UNICEF also joined forces on a special project in 2020 to help poor children. She has always been a fierce advocate for refugees and migrants. In 2018, Gigi Hadid partnered with UNICEF to help refugees and migrants.

This is the list of top 10 celebrity human rights activists.