YouTube's Dear Class of 2020 highlights: From Michelle Obama to Beyonce and BTS

The event was full of moving speeches that addressed Black Lives Matter and the coronavirus pandemic
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Megan C. Hills8 June 2020

The class of 2020 has had a tumultuous year to say the least, from a global pandemic to the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests in response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

Yesterday, Barack and Michelle Obama found space to celebrate the achievements of graduating students during this time - inviting the likes of Beyonce, Katy Perry and more to join them in a virtual graduation ceremony - 'Dear Class of 2020' - on YouTube.

Many A-listers congratulated new graduates not just on ending one chapter of education, but also for using their “collective voice” to support movements such as Black Lives Matter.

While some like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez dropped quick one-minute smartphone videos (even The Simpsons dropped by), others gave moving speeches about the condition of the world and the place new graduates have in it.

The virtual graduation also included a number of musical performances by the likes of Katy Perry, Megan Thee Stallion and more.

Beyonce

Beyonce delivered a moving speech in which she congratulated the class of 2020 for “arriving in the middle of a global crisis, a racial pandemic and worldwide expression of outrage about the senseless killing of an unarmed black human being.”

She thanked graduates for “using their collective voice” to support Black Lives Matter and also talked about her own experience growing up, explaining that she hadn’t gone to university but had been taught the “value of education” and “how to be authentic in my actions.”

She also touched on how “terrifying” but important it was for her to build her own company, Parkwood Entertainment, in a music industry that she said was “still sexist” and had “not enough black women at the seat at the table.”

She told the graduates, “You are achieving things your parents and grandparents never could have imagined for yourselves. You are the answer to a generation of prayers.”

Barack and Michelle Obama

Both Barack and Michelle Obama gave speeches throughout the ceremony - with Michelle Obama’s individual speech a particular highlight - though they teamed up for a short and characteristically charming one too.

While they acknowledged graduates were missing out on an in-person ceremony, Michelle reminded those watching that they were surrounded by people who loved and supported them (as Barack chimed in “especially the dads”).

“You accomplished all that, and then just as you were rounding the final turn, the world turned a pandemic your way,” Barack said.

“These past few months, you’ve had to reach even higher. You weren’t just adjusting to a virtual classroom… you weren’t just hanging out with your friends in that group chat, you were supporting them through all this uncertainty and loss,” Michelle continued.

“In spite of it all, here you are. We want you to know that all the work you put in to get your education is still one of the best investments you can make... You all have done something great,” Barack said. Michele urged them to celebrate and “do a little dance”, which had Barack laughing as she did a little shimmy.

Lady Gaga

As with many stars, the Chromatica artist began by addressing the recent Black Lives Matter protests in her speech.

Gaga revealed she had prerecorded “a very different commencement speech” prior to the death of George Floyd in police custody that had centered on coronavirus. “You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country’s evolution. You are watching society change in a deeply important way” she said.

She said she had rewritten her speech and said that systemic racism in the United States was “a broad forest filled densely with tall trees.”

Saying that the trees were planted with “racist seeds”, had “racist branches”, “oppressive leaves” and “mangled roots”, she continued, “[They trees] buried and entrenched themselves deep in the soil forming a web so well developed that it pushes back when we try to look clearly at how it really works.”

“All of us are being invited to challenge that system and think about how to affect real change... it's you who are the seeds of the future. You are the seeds that will grow into a new and different forest that is far more beautiful and loving than the one we live in today,” she continued.

BTS

Korean boyband BTS joined the roster of famous faces during YouTube’s virtual graduation, sharing a prerecorded performance of their smash hit 'Boy With Luv' as well as a speech.

Beginning the speech, band member RM called the virtual graduation the “most special graduation ceremony in history” during a “strange year”, saying, “Never before have so many gathered for a graduating class for their achievements and their journeys. Wherever you are, you will all soon be breaking out of one world and soaring into another.

The rest of the members reflected on their own personal graduation experiences too, however, SUGA’s words were especially inspiring.

The singer said, “These days, I feel as though I've fallen to the ground during a race... This might not be the grand finale that you had imagined, and a fresh start might seem far away. But I wish to tell you: Please don’t be afraid, don’t worry yourself. The end and beginning, beginning and end, are connected.”

“There are some things you can only do in isolation, such as focusing only on myself and breaking my own barriers. One small person can dream the biggest dream, paint the largest picture, and make endless possibilities come true. When we meet again, I look forward to seeing your dream, your picture, and your endless possibilities out in this world,” he continued.

Lizzo with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

You may know Lizzo best for her pop hits like Juicy and Truth Hurts, but the singer is also a professionally trained flautist. Wieling her partner in crime - a flute named Sasha - she joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to open up the ceremony with a remix of Pomp and Circumstance.

Throughout the performance, images of students at Black Lives Matter protests were included.

Megan Thee Stallion

The 'Hot Girl Summer' rapper performed her iconic tune to kick off the holidays and performed in an at-home prerecorded music video.

As she danced on a terrace and staircase, dancers also took to her balcony to dance as she rapped “real girl s***” for the camera.

Katy Perry

The very pregnant star had the honour of performing during the moment of graduation, reminding those at home that the tassel on your cap goes from “right to left.”

As she counted down, videos of graduates all around the world were played moving their tassels from right to left - which Perry later followed with a live performance of her song 'Daisies' as she ran through a room covered in silver tassels.

Chloe x Halle

The rising duo performed for the graduating class in a performance full of trippy lighting choices and their signature harmonies as they sang their tune 'Do It.'

As Halle Bailey (who is set to play the new Ariel in an upcoming adaptation of The Little Mermaid) and her sister Chloe sang, they shouted out to the class of 2020 and performed a dance which has been making the rounds on TikTok.

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