The Obamas, BTS, and Lady Gaga to headline YouTube virtual graduation ceremony
Streaming site YouTube is pumping up 2020 with a video graduation ceremony dedicated to all the graduates of the year.
YouTube's “Dear Class of 2020” special will feature some of the best of the best including an address from former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
On her Twitter account, Michelle Obama mentioned that she and husband Barack are making sure that all graduates get the “celebration you deserve.”
She wrote, “I know how hard the #Classof2020 has worked to make it to graduation, so @BarackObama and I want to give you the celebration you deserve. That's why @ReachHigher and I are teaming up with @YouTube to host a virtual graduation on June 6!”
Aside from the Obamas, K-pop boy group BTS will also deliver a commencement address and will perform at a virtual grad night after-party.
The announcement was confirmed by BTS's agency, BigHit Entertainment, who said, “BTS will participate in 'Dear Class of 2020,' which will be held online through YouTube on June 6th. YouTube organized this virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate college and high school students and their families from around the world graduating in 2020.
“BTS will speak as a special speaker along with the Obamas, Sundar Pichai, and Lady Gaga.”
In addition, the festival-style lineup will also feature traditional graduation-day talks and musical performances from Alicia Keys and Kelly Rowland.
The virtual commencement exercise will happen on Saturday, June 6, on the YouTube Originals channel and YouTube's Learn@Home site.
According to Susanne Daniels, global head of content for YouTube, “Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement.
“We hope bringing together noteworthy, influential speakers along with performances from some of their favorite artists will provide encouragement for the students who have worked so hard to get here.”
If you're unsure where to watch the upcoming exercises, we've embedded the video below:
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