Former first lady Michelle Obama made an appearance at the Grammy Awards Sunday night, bringing down the house as attendees stood and cheered her surprise cameo at the ceremony.
Decked out in a sequined pantsuit and adorned with glittering rings and earrings, Obama was introduced at the ceremony, which purports to honor achievements in the music industry, by Alicia Keys, who said, “So let’s just be honest, this is a celebration. And y’all didn’t think I was coming out here by myself, did you? Please, can I bring some of my sisters out here tonight?”
“Woooooow!” Keys exclaimed as the curtain went up and Michelle Obama appeared, along with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The women took turns talking about the importance of music in their lives.
“They said I was ‘weird,’ that my look, my choices, my sound, that it wouldn’t work,” said Lady Gaga. “But music told me not to listen to them. Music took my ears, took my hands, my voice and my soul and it led me to all of you and to my little monsters who I love so much.”
“Back in the Bronx, music gave me a reason to dance, from hip-hop to freestyle, pop, soul, and salsa,” Lopez said. “And it kept me moving from the block to the big stages and even bigger screens. It reminds me where I come from, but it also reminds me of all the places that I can go. Music has always been the one place we can all feel truly free.”
Smith said, “We express our pain, power, and progress through music, whether we’re creating it or just appreciating it. But here’s what I know: every voice we hear deserves to be honored and respected.”
“Amen,” Obama said. “Amen. From the Motown records I wore out on the South Side—
She was interrupted by wild applause and a standing ovation from the enraptured crowd.
“All right, all right, we got a show to do—”
The crowd continued to applaud but eventually allowed her to continue.
“From the Motown records I wore out on the South Side to the ‘Who Run the World’ songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story,” she said. “And I know that’s true for everybody here. Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys. It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters — every story within every voice, every note within every song. Is that right, ladies?”
“Yes, it is,” Smith agreed.
“Michelle, what is better than this? There is nothing better than this! Tonight we celebrate the greatness in each other, all of us, through music!” said Keys.
More cheers and applause.
“Take it in, soak it up,” said Smith.
“I’m taking it in, so excuse me,” Keys swooned. “Who runs the world? Thank you so much, ladies, for your light, your message of love, your sisterhood. I love y’all so much. Give it up for these magnificent goddesses!”
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