The first word on Barack Obama 's historic nomination acceptance speech from a bevy of celebrities in attendance was decidedly partisan: "It was excellent," Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie said. "It was amazing."

will.i.am performed his speech-song Yes We Can with John Legend during the run-up to Obama's speech. Susan Sarandon and Anne Hathaway sang along in the stands as Sheryl Crow performed Change is Gonna Come, and crooner Michael McDonald prompted many a flag wave with his rendition of America the Beautiful.

Stars over the moon about Obama's speech August 30, 2008, 7:38 am
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Anne Hathaway admits she wasn't initially sold on Barack Obama.

"I was kind of afraid of Obama the first time I saw him," she told the Associated Press at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. "I thought, 'I've been burned by guys like you before.'

"I've been burned by politicians before that I wanted to believe in and just didn't live up to it," the newly single star explained. "And I was afraid to trust him and I was afraid to have hope when I first kind of became aware of him."

She said she had a change of heart "around the time that he gave his speech on race.

"I just said, 'I can't deny how I feel about you, Barack Obama. I want you to be the president. I want you in the White House,'" she said.

Not only does she believe Obama can "cause change," she said, but "he understands how hard it is.

"I just heard the other day, he just paid off his student loans two years ago," she said. "And so when people talk about financial issues and the higher cost of education, he really gets it."

She added, "I think he's the sort of person that inspires us all to be our best selves.

Hathaway is among the famous faces under the Creative Coalition banner who are attending DNC luncheons and forums to discuss issues facing the Democratic Party.

She said she isn't against the idea of celebrities being politically active.

She said there is a perception that "we're all out of touch. How could we possibly have an awareness of what real Americans feel and think and need because we just ride around in limos and - I don't know - buy diamonds all day long?

"But I don't know anyone like that," Hathaway went on. "I'm certainly not like that. I'm a passionate American, and that's what I am first and foremost."

Anne Hathaway: "I Was Afraid of Obama the First Time I Saw Him" Tuesday August 26, 2008
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Emotional stars like Oprah Winfrey and Kanye West had nothing but praise for Barack Obama's acceptance speech in Denver Thursday night.

Other celebs in attendance included Fergie, Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama, Star Jones, Susan Sarandon, Anne Hathaway and Kerry Washington.

VIDEO: Oprah Winfrey: Obama's Speech Made Me Cry "My Eyelashes Off"
Friday August 29, 2008
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