WATCH: Miley Cyrus sings ‘The Climb,’ Oprah sends message of hope to graduating batch of 2020
Miley Cyrus and Oprah Winfrey (Image: Instagram/@mileycyrus, @ophra)
American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus sang her 2009 hit song “The Climb” during Facebook and Instagram’s star-studded virtual ceremony for the graduating batch of 2020. Former TV host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey concluded the online event with an inspiring commencement speech.
The two social networking sites organized the virtual graduation to acknowledge some of the graduating college and high school seniors in the United States as students are still forced to stay indoors and mass gatherings, such as graduation rites, are prohibited due to the threat of COVID-19.
The ceremony was streamed live on Facebook’s page earlier today, May 16. Cyrus also showed her performance via her Instagram post on the same day.
Cyrus stood on a golden podium and delivered a short message to the graduating students before she sang.
“As I was thinking about you, the class of 2020, and how you inspire me. I knew I wanted to share this song with you,” Cyrus said.
Article continues after this advertisement“It feels full of a new meaning: ‘Keep the faith,’ ‘keep on moving,’ ‘keep climbing,'” she added quoting some of the song’s lyrics.
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Winfrey also imparted some words of wisdom to “the pandemic class.” The philanthropist showed her whole speech via her Instagram account today.
“Class of 2020, this is not the graduation ceremony you envisioned,” Winfrey said. “Even though there may not be pomp because of the circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose and vision, passion and energy, and hope.”
Winfrey said during her speech that she was confident that this graduating batch will lead the people forward, no matter how uncertain the future might be.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she also challenged the fresh graduates to show others “not how to put the pieces back together again, but how to create a new and more evolved normal.” Winfrey also acknowledged how the global health crisis has highlighted the “inequality” in the current system and how the youth can change it.
“My hope is that you will harness your education, your voice, your vote and use it to create more equity, more justice, and more joy in the world,” she added. “Congratulations Class of 2020! You are now the class that COMMENCED a new way forward.”
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The event also included some personal messages from actors, musicians, athletes, internet celebrities and more, as seen on Instagram’s page.
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Those who sent their love to the 2020 graduating class are the following:
Amy Schumer, Ashley Graham, Awkwafina, Ben Platt, Bretman Rock, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, David Dobrik, Diplo, DJ Khaled, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailee Steinfeld, Cardi B, Jennifer Garner, J.J. Watt, John Mayer, Kristen Bell, Lana Condor, Lilly Singh, Luis Fonsi, Marshmello, Charles Melton, Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Simone Biles, Hugh Jackman, Usher, Winnie Harlow and “Sesame Street” characters Cookie Monster and Grover. /ra
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