POP STARS ADDRESS THE CLASSES OF 2020

Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Katy Perry, BTS, U2, Alicia Keys and Lizzo with an assist from the New York Philharmonic delivered online commencement address to the class of 2020 on Sunday. Check out what they had to say.

Beyonce spoke about racism and sexism in the entertainment industry. “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.”

Gaga rewrote her speech to address the protests against racism and police brutality. “You are watching what is a pivotal moment in this country’s evolution. You are watching society change in a deeply important way. This change will be slow, and we will have to be patient. But change will happen and it will be for the better.”

Swift told graduates that they aren’t alone in missing their graduation—she did, too. “I found myself on radio tour with my mom in rental cars, sitting on the floors of airports, and I ended up being mailed my diploma.”

Here are some other words of advice and a few musical notes.