By Vanessa Denha Garmo

Ash Wednesday is one of the boldest days of the Catholic year.

We step into churches, receive ashes on our foreheads, and walk back into the world visibly marked by our faith. It’s a simple sign with a profound message:

We are dust.

We are sinners in need of mercy.

We belong to Christ—and we are not afraid to be seen as His.

Every year, Catholics across the globe wear this cross into workplaces, schools, grocery stores, and city streets. And increasingly, celebrities are doing the same—using their platforms to normalize Catholic identity in a culture that often misunderstands it.

From Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie proudly displaying their ashes in New York City, to public figures sharing their Lenten commitments online, Ash Wednesday has become a moment when faith steps into the spotlight.

And that same spirit of public witness is exactly what we saw in another unexpected place: the Grammy stage.

Celebrities Using Their Platforms to Share the Catholic Faith

Why It Matters — and What We Can Learn

Jelly Roll walked onto the Grammy stage and did something most celebrities would never dare to do. He pulled out a Bible.

He won Best Contemporary Country Album.

He thanked God for pulling him out of a deep, dark place.

And you could feel the room shift. Some people looked uncomfortable. But he kept going.Then came the moment that stopped the scrolling world in its tracks:

In the clip I saw, the camera cut to Reba McEntire—smiling, applauding, and rising to her feet in support. His message was simple, bold, and unmistakably true. He used one of the world’s largest stages to proclaim Christ in a room where others had used their moment to celebrate their abortions.

Jelly Roll reminded us that Jesus is for everyone.

Not for the perfect.

Not for the polished.

Not just for the “acceptable.”

But for the broken.

For the addicted.

For the anxious.

For the lonely.

For the man who messed up and still longs to come home. If you’re in a dark season right now, hear this: God isn’t done with you. The same Jesus who lifted him can lift you. Keep going. Keep praying. Keep believing.

Faith on Foreheads, Under Eyes, and Across Platforms

Tim Tebow used his eyes.

Mark Wahlberg used his forehead.

Both used their platforms to evangelize.

One of my favorite images from 2024 is a simple but powerful photo Mark Wahlberg shared: he and Jonathan Roumie standing in New York City on Ash Wednesday, proudly displaying the cross on their foreheads alongside Franciscan Friar Fr. Mark‑Mary Ames.

Fr. Mark‑Mary had just celebrated Mass, offered ashes, and shared his new book—all while promoting Hallow’s Lenten prayer challenge. The moment wasn’t staged. It wasn’t polished. It was raw, joyful, and beautifully Catholic.

Wahlberg wasn’t acting. He was living his faith.

Jonathan Roumie may portray Jesus on screen, but off‑camera he uses his own voice—especially on social media—to share personal stories of faith that reach far beyond the character he plays.

Wahlberg often says, “Being a Catholic is the most important aspect of my life.” And he backs it up by sharing his spiritual journey across platforms, including one of my favorite prayer apps, Hallow.

Tim Tebow became known not just for his athleticism, but for the Scripture he boldly displayed beneath his eyes during college football. His eye‑black verses—especially John 3:16 during the 2009 National Championship—sent millions searching Scripture within hours. A football game became a national catechesis.

Every One of Us Has a Platform

Years ago, I began encouraging my communication clients to build their own “newsrooms”—to tell their stories directly instead of waiting for traditional media to do it for them.

Social media gives every one of us a pulpit. Celebrities simply have a larger microphone. But that doesn’t make the rest of us irrelevant.

We may not have the reach of Mark Wahlberg or Tim Tebow, but we do have influence—in our families, workplaces, parishes, and communities. And we can learn a great deal from how these public figures witness their faith.

More Voices of Courage

Patricia Heaton, forever Debra Barone in my mind, uses her platform with joyful boldness. She posts about prayer, forgiveness, pro‑life issues, and the beauty of the Church. Her Catholic identity isn’t hidden; it’s woven into her public presence. She, too, has shared reflections on Hallow.

Other Hallow partners include Chris Pratt, Jim Caviezel, and Gwen Stefani, each lending their voice to prayer challenges and faith‑centered content.

Vice President JD Vance spoke at the 2026 March for Life just days after his wife, Usha, announced they are expecting their fourth child—a boy.

Harry Connick Jr., who became Catholic at 14, often speaks about how faith grounds him in the entertainment world. In 2027, he’ll be a featured performer on the Good News Cruise—a Catholic couples’ retreat at sea hosted by Corporate Travel Service, blending vacation with spiritual renewal.

Even when the characters they play or the projects they choose don’t fully align with Church teaching, I admire any celebrity who rises above the script and uses their influence to point others toward Christ.

Roma Downey, producer of The Bible and Son of God, often speaks about her devotion to Mary and the Catholic roots that shaped her. In a 2024 interview, she shared how losing her mother at age 10 became the moment she learned to lean on God. Her work flows from a desire to bring hope and healing to a world that desperately needs it.

Nicholas Sparks openly discusses his sacramental life and raising his children in the Church. His novels have sold more than 100 million copies, and 11 film adaptations have grossed nearly $900 million worldwide. His influence is undeniable—and so is his faith.

Stephen Colbert threads Catholic themes through his comedy, blending humor with reverence for prayer, Scripture, and the saints. His mother taught him to see every situation through God’s eyes—a lesson that shaped his wit and worldview.

In 2022, Jim Harbaugh made headlines when he shared a deeply personal conviction at a pro‑life event, offering to support or even adopt the child of any player or staff member facing an unplanned pregnancy. He emphasized these were his personal beliefs, but he shared them to encourage others to support life in tangible, compassionate ways.

Why This Matters

When celebrities share their faith, they do more than inspire.

They normalize Catholicism in a culture that often misunderstands or misrepresents it. Their witness reaches people who may never walk into a church, pick up a catechism, or hear a homily—but will scroll through Instagram or watch a late‑night interview. Their courage gives others permission to be courageous.

Their stories spark curiosity. Their public devotion opens doors for private conversion.

A Call to Action

When a celebrity shares their Catholic faith, don’t just scroll past it.

Engage.

Comment.

Share.

Thank them.

Let their witness spark ideas for your own.

Evangelization isn’t only for people with millions of followers. It’s for every baptized Catholic with a story to tell—and a circle of influence waiting to be reached.

If they can share Jesus with the world from a global stage, we can certainly share Him from the platforms entrusted to us.