What is the Dear Class of 2020 virtual graduation and how can I watch it?

Barack and Michelle Obama have created the ultimate virtual event for graduating seniors around the globe whose in-person ceremonies were canceled due to COVID-19.

When high school and college seniors took to social media to ask the former President and First Lady to give a commencement speech for the graduating class of 2020, the couple agreed - and they’ve asked some famous faces to join them.

Set to take place this weekend, the hours-long ceremony will include speeches, performances and appearances from leaders in the political, activist and entertainment fields.

Here’s everything you need to know about the ceremony, including where to watch it, who will be taking part, and how it came about in the first place.

How to watch the ceremony

The Dear Class of 2020 ceremony will be broadcast on YouTube on its YouTube Originals channel. While it was originally scheduled for June 6, the event will now begin on Sunday, June 7, at 3PM ET/12PM PT.

People reported that the virtual ceremony will span more than four hours with over 70 celebrity and special guest appearances.

If you’re part of the graduating class of 2020, you can share your post-graduate plans on the Reach Higher website prior to the ceremony.

Who will be speaking?

Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are hosting the virtual commencement and they’ve invited several other prominent figures to speak, too - plus plenty of musical performances and celebrity guest appearances.

Lizzo and the New York Philharmonic are set to kick off the ceremony with a joint performance of ‘Pomp and Circumstance,’ the traditional graduation walking march. Then, Alicia Keys will provide the opening remarks, followed by the Obamas.

The other speakers include a mix of political figures, activists and celebrities. Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and BTS are scheduled to provide remarks, as are former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, activist Malala Yousafzai and Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai.

Musicians BTS, Chloe x Halle, Maluma, Katy Perry (who will also lead the ceremonial tassel turn) and Megan Thee Stallion are all performing.

Additionally, Bono will introduce a performance of U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ by Leon Bridges, Camila Cabello, Noah Cyrus, Ty Dolla $ign, Cynthia Erivo, Khalid, Tove Lo, Chris Martin and Ben Platt.

The cast of Schitt’s Creek will perform a musical tribute to teachers, and several high school and college bands will team up to play Shawn Mendes’ 'There's Nothing Holding Me Back.’

There will also be special presentations throughout the ceremony, including a reading of the Maya Angelou poem Still I Rise by Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Kelly Rowland, Shonda Rhimes, Misty Copeland and Janelle Monáe.

Reach Higher has also shared on Twitter that special appearances will be made from Bill and Melinda Gates, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato. And social media influencers like Nikkie de Jager and Emma Chamberlain will also be popping up during the ceremony.

Who created the ceremony?

The virtual ceremony was put together by the Obamas in partnership with YouTube and Reach Higher, an initiative Michelle started during her time in the White House to encourage higher education.

The initial idea actually started on social media, when a graduating senior tweeted to Barack, asking him to give a commencement speech to the class of 2020. As graduation ceremonies were canceled worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, other seniors joined in and the hashtag #ObamaCommencement2020 went viral.

Less than a month after the request, on May 5, Michelle announced that she and Barack would be hosting a virtual ceremony with guest speakers and appearances.

“I know how hard the class of 2020 has worked to make it to graduation, so Barack and I want to give you the celebration you deserve,” Michelle’s tweet read, sharing that the virtual graduation ceremony would take place on June 6.

“Whether you’re graduating from high school, college, or any other kind of school - we want you, your family, and all of your loved ones to be a part of this celebration,” she wrote, later announcing through the Reach Higher Twitter account that the ceremony’s date had been changed to June 7 at 3PM ET/12PM PT.