The 'Wrecking Ball' hitmaker helps high school and college seniors celebrate their graduations remotely, while Oprah Winfrey shares her wisdom through a special message.
- May 16, 2020
AceShowbiz - Miley Cyrus has helped the class of 2020 celebrate their graduations amid the coronavirus pandemic with a musical performance. Taking part in Facebook and Instagram's #Graduation2020 virtual broadcast, the former "Hannah Montana" star delivered a rousing rendition of her 2009 hit song, "The Climb", from her home.
Before her performance, the 27-year-old expressed her support for the 2020 graduates in a quick address. "Hello to all the graduates out there," she greeted while standing behind a sparkling blue and gold podium. "I'm truly honored to celebrate each and every one of you high school and college seniors and all that you've accomplished."
"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," the ex-wife of actor Liam Hemsworth continued her short speech by introducing the ballad she was about to cover. "It feels full of a new meaning. Keep the faith, keep on moving, keep climbing, here's 'The Climb'."
Miley was one of the stars participating in the multi-hour streaming event dubbed "#Graduation2020: Facebook and Instagram Celebrate the Class of 2020". On the Friday, May 15 stream, Oprah Winfrey also popped up online to give an inspiring commencement speech to the graduates she described as "the pandemic class."
"I know you may not feel like it, but you are indeed the chosen class for such a time as this - the class of 2020. You're also a united class, the pandemic class that has the entire world striving to graduate with you," the media mogul began her speech. "But even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion, and energy and hope."
The 66-year-old then challenged the graduates to use what they have learned to strive over COVID-19. "So can you use this disorder that COVID-19 has wrought? Can you treat it as an uninvited guest that's come into our midst to reorder our way of being? Can you, the class of 2020, show us not how to put the pieces back together again, but how to create a new and more evolved normal, a world more just, kind, beautiful, tender, luminous, creative, whole?" she asked.
"We need you to do this, because the pandemic has illuminated the vast systemic inequities that have defined life for too many for too long," she added. "You have the power to stand for, to fight for, and vote for healthier conditions that will create a healthier society. This moment is your invitation to use your education to begin to heal our afflictions by applying the best of what you've learned in your head, and felt in your heart."
