Surprising Celebrities We’d Totally Invite to the 4th of July Summer Cookout

Melissa McCarthy, Tom Holland and Brie Larson are just some of the interesting names we’d give an invitation to.

Photo: Getty Images Maree Williams, Michael Loccisano, Kristy Sparow

Everyone loves a good 4th of July cookout. The best parties have a few fun surprises on the guest list. It may be a bit controversial to say, but there are some interesting personalities in sports, entertainment and politics who we wouldn’t mind hanging out with. So join us for a little light-hearted fun as we look at surprising celebrities we’d invite to the cookout.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Inside Lenny Kravitz’s Jaw-Dropping Paris Mansion

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe

Photo: Getty Images Steph Chambers

Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe seem like a fun couple who are always up for a party. And you know we want to see Sue school that one uncle who thinks he could’ve gone pro.

Katie Porter

Photo: Getty Images Emma McIntyre

Nobody gets anything by Katie Porter. That cousin who’s always lying is in for a rude awakening when he meets the congresswoman.

Tom Holland

Photo: Getty Images Michael Loccisano

Yes, we want to get Marvel secrets out of Tom Holland, but his invite is absolutely contingent on him doing the “Umbrella” routine. Sorry Tom.

Bernie Sanders

Photo: Getty Images Alex Wong

Uncle Bernie would definitely make himself comfortable at the cookout. We can imagine him, posted up in a lawn chair, remembering all the times America fumbled their chance to have him as President.

Sam Hunt

Photo: Getty Images Mindy Small

For a country music star, Sam Hunt has enough drip to successfully up the ante at any cookout. From his impressive vocals to chill demeanor, he would immediately fit in—did we mention he’s a Destiny’s Child fan?

Adele

Photo: Getty Images Alberto E. Rodriguez

Let’s be honest: we really just want to hear her sing. Preferably, she starts a “Rolling in the Deep” sing-along.

Brie Larson

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth

You know she’s going to be fun to have on your team when it’s game night.

Jane Fonda

Photo: Getty Images Vittorio Zunino Celotto

Jane has a history of never-holding back and speaking out about white supremacy. From calling out sexism in Hollywood and holding white men accountable for the climate change, this legendary activist would have quite the conversations with guests at the cookout.

Melissa McCarthy

Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

She and your uncle are going to trade some hilarious one-liners.

Mark Hamill

Photo: Getty Images Rich Fury

Yes, he’s Luke Skywalker, but if you follow Mark Hamill on Twitter, you also know that he’s funny, compassionate and really cool to his fans. Of course, I’m breaking out my lightsabers.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Photo: Getty Images Jono Searle

Because we love his work and he also needs to be present when your kid won’t stop singing “You’re Welcome.”

Travis Kelce

Photo: Getty Images Christian Petersen

He makes the list for the family football game. Also, he needs to bring his pal Patrick Mahomes along so I can crush my cousin’s team.

Lynda Carter

Photo: Getty Images Dominik Bindl

The original Wonder Woman is a badass who consistently schools trolls and politicians on social media. She will absolutely put your crazy uncle in his place.

Daniel Radcliffe

Photo: Getty Images Slaven Vlasic

If you have Harry Potter at your cookout, you will achieve “Greatest Aunt ever” status for life.

Chris Hemsworth

Photo: Getty Images Caroline McCredie

His stories about his world travels will be fascinating, but keep an eye on your newly single aunt because she will definitely be on the lookout for the very happily married Thor.

Chris Pine

Photo: Getty Images Pascal Le Segretain

He deserves a good meal after putting up with all that Don’t Worry Darling mess.

Amy Klobuchar

Photo: Getty Images Jerod Harris

You need someone to break things up when the inevitable arguments pop up.

Elizabeth Warren

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Dietsch

When your dad starts going on his political rant about the state of the economy, introduce him to your friend Senator Warren, then stand back and watch the magic happen.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Trump Is Getting Away With These Dangerous Actions Right Under Our Noses

Trump Is Getting Away With These Dangerous Actions Right Under Our Noses

From rolling back civil rights protections to Trump’s violent threats against Americans, here’s all the political events happening right under you nose …
The Untold Story of Jimmie Lee Jackson, Whose Killing Sparked the 'Bloody Sunday' Marches

The Untold Story of Jimmie Lee Jackson, Whose Killing Sparked the ‘Bloody Sunday’ Marches

We know the leaders of the movement, but how well do you know the story behind the 26-year-old martyr whose death sparked Bloody Sunday? …
Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin Police Release Body Cam Footage of Black Shooter at an Austin Bar

Austin police are piecing together the motive behind Ndiaga Diagne, the Black man who killed three and injured over a dozen in a March 1 mass shooting …
F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to 'Take Africa Back' as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Calls for a Movement to ‘Take Africa Back’ as He Tries to Bring Racing to the Continent

The first and only Black driver in F1 history is empowering the people of the continent to “take Africa back” from European powers …
Jill Scott's Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott’s Break From Music is Part of a Growing Trend of Black Women Pausing With Purpose

Jill Scott, Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor and Simone Biles are part of a growing wave of Black women who have embraced the idea of stepping back …
Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Selma Was Not Just History, It Was a Warning

Opinion: Sixty-one years after “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, we are once again watching the machinery of state violence turn toward Black and Brown communities …
Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford Reveals the Unexpected Remedy That Helped Her Cope With Her Mother’s Death

Melyssa Ford is pulling back the curtain on her mental health journey, proving that sometimes, unconventional healing can help with unimaginable grief …
Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Big News On Sidney Dorsey, The Ex-Georgia Sheriff Convicted of Murder Conspiracy

Sidney Dorsey died in prison after serving a life sentence for the shocking 2000 political murder after losing his reelection bid …
Eric Benét's Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

Eric Benét’s Viral New War Protest Song is Exactly What We Needed

The “Spend My Life With You” singer gave us a much-needed soulful protest anthem calling out the Trump administration decision to bomb Iran …
This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive - And Looking Great While Doing it!

This Viral Content Creator is Keeping Our Black Food Traditions Alive – And Looking Great While Doing it!

Sonja Norwood (aka Wick’d Creations) has built a massive social media following sharing the Black recipes you won’t find in cookbooks …
Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

Queen Latifah Death Rumor Spurs This Unusual Development

After a viral rumor spread on Facebook that Queen Latifah was dead, she hopped on Instagram to address her fans’ concerns …
Viral 'Sinners' Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Viral ‘Sinners’ Test Footage Has Fans Wanting More Behind-the-Scenes Content

Test footage from the first days of filming “Sinners” has fans wanting more behind-the-scenes content …
Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

Why Stefon Diggs Is Having The Worst Week Ever, Black Twitter Responds

The NFL veteran wide receiver has been racking a bunch of L’s this week …
Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Black America Explodes After Trump Fires Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem spoke in Nashville during a conference right as Trump dropped the bombshell news of her replacement …
Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

Is the Fear of Getting ‘Too Dark’ in the Summer a Personal Choice for Black Folks or Deep-Rooted Colorism?

After a tweet calling out Black folks who avoid the summer sun went viral, a debate about loving one’s complexion versus colorism had the timeline on fire …
What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

What Will Happen to Rep. Al Green Now That He Is Forced into a Runoff Against Rep. Christian Menefee?

Rep. Al Green up against Rep. Christian Menefee– the new kid on the block– in the upcoming Texas runoff election …
Teyana Taylor Wants 'One Battle After Another' Sequel, But Fans Aren't Feeling It

Teyana Taylor Wants ‘One Battle After Another’ Sequel, But Fans Aren’t Feeling It

Though Teyana Taylor’s role in ‘One Battle After Another’ earned her an Oscar nomination, it looks like fans aren’t so hyped to see a spinoff of her character …
Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Black ‘Klan Whisperer’ Has Led Hundreds Away From White Supremacy —And Has the Robes to Prove It

Daryl Davis has used open conversation and music to persuade hundreds to leave hate behind, collecting their Klan regalia as symbols of change …
5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

5 Times That Stephen A. Smith Crossed The Line

The controversial host of ESPN’s “First Take” has a track record of being a habitual linestepper …
They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

They Wanted Tendernism. Just Not The Black Man Who Created It.

Walter “Mr. Tendernism” Johnson made a restaurant famous. Then the fight over his creation began …