Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, students around the world have had to alter their graduation plans this year. Instead of holding a big ceremony with family and friends cheering on students as they walk across the stage and accept their diplomas, a virtual gathering was held with star-studded speeches and performances.

Beyoncé, Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, BTS, and more were all present to deliver wise words to the graduating class of 2020, contributing to the "Dear Class of 2020" event. Megan Thee Stallion is also being celebrated for her high-energy performance, which also doubled as a tour of her home.

One moment, in particular, is being praised as "epic" when the Stallion performed her break-out hit "Big Ole Freak" before jumping into the splits on her couch and twerking for the camera.

Former President Barack Obama addressed graduating students during YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” virtual graduation ceremony, Sunday.

Handout / Getty Images

Obama spoke about the internet, the news media, activism, and more with the class of 2020.

“To see so many of you participating in peaceful protest, to see so many of you of every race and background raise up your voices on behalf of justice for all, well, it’s been unbelievably inspiring. You make me optimistic about our future,” he said.

“Use all that critical thinking you’ve developed from your education to help promote the truth,” he continued. “You are the Internet generation and the social media generation. It’s not just how you shop, or listen to music or watch videos, it’s part of your social lives, it’s the new town square where you all come together to meet. In many ways, it’s been an amazing tool. In your pockets, you have access to more information than any group of people in history. It’s allowed movements of like-minded people to mobilize on behalf of worthy causes. But, what’s become clear is that social media can also be a tool to spread conflict, divisions, and falsehoods, to bully people, and promote hate. Too often, it shuts us off from each other instead of bringing us together, partly because it gives us the ability to select our own realities, independent of facts or science or logic or common sense. We start reading only news and opinions that reinforce our own biases. We start canceling everything else out.”

Check out the full speech below.

[Via]

Beyoncé used her speech during Barack and Michelle Obama’s “Dear Class of 2020” YouTube virtual graduation ceremony to address protesters, sexism in the music industry, and more.

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

After thanking the Obama’s for the platform and congratulating the graduating class of 2020, Beyoncé spoke about the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Abery, and Bronna Talyor: “Thank you for using your collective voice and letting the worlds know that black lives matter,” she said. “The killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others have left us all broken. It has left the entire country searching for answers. We’ve seen that our collective hearts, when put to positive action, could start the wheels of change. Real change has started with you, this new generation of high school and college graduates who we celebrate today.”

From there, Beyoncé discussed the role of women in the entertainment industry: “The entertainment business is still very sexist,” she explained. “It’s still very male-dominated and as a woman, I did not see enough female role models given the opportunity to what I knew I had to do. To run my label and management company, to direct my films and produce my tours, that meant ownership—owning my masters, owning my art, owning my future, and writing my own story. Not enough black women had a seat at the table. So I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table. Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat. That meant hiring women, men outsiders, underdogs, people that were overlook and waiting to be seen.”

Check out the rest of Beyoncé’s speech below.

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