Whenever a prominent artist makes a political statement, the mix of backlash and appraisal that ensues results in high publicity for both the artist and the topic they’re speaking about. The Grammy Awards provided the perfect platform for such declarations this year, from Paris Jackson’s protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline to A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson .Paak’s shade-throwing performances. Using fame to shine a light on social issues is a powerful way to make one’s voice heard, but there’s also a reciprocal to it: using politics to generate fame. This was the approach taken by singer-songwriter Joy Villa, who many people hadn’t heard of until she debuted a “Make America Great Again” gown on the red carpet.