Inside the Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago
Thousands gather for music, emotion and a historic moment ahead of Juneteenth’s debut inside the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
- Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and Stevie Wonder were among the celebrities who attended the Obama Center’s opening ceremony.
- Politicians in the crowd included former Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
- Watch their interaction in this view from the ground.
The Grand Opening Ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center on June 18th drew 3,000 people to the plaza and was attended by countless celebrities.
Some of the biggest stars in attendance included performers like Marc Anthony and Stevie Wonder, who brought the audience to their feet during the program. Oprah Winfrey, who has a space in the museum named after her, shook hands with politicians including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau danced in a front row seat below former Vice President Kamala Harris (though his partner Katy Perry was not in attendance).
When John Legend and Jennifer Hudson weren’t on stage, they spent time in the crowd, sitting a short distance from California Governor Gavin Newsom. But former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama took to the stage along with every other living president except President Donald Trump.
Watch as celebrities and politicians alike take part in the grand opening ceremony.
Video: Celebrities and politicians party together at the Obama Presidential Center
Watch Oprah talk to Pritzker and Trudeau dance at Obama’s opening ceremony
President Obama’s inauguration ceremony in Chicago on June 18 brought together celebrities and politicians. Watch Oprah, Pritzker, Kamala Harris and more interact.
Who attended President Obama’s opening ceremony?
Celebrities spotted in the crowd include:
The politicians in attendance were:
- former vice president kamala harris
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
- California Governor Gavin Newsom
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
- Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Transportation
- Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
- Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago
- former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
- Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
Contributors: Taijuan Moorman, Phillip M. Bailey, america today
Kinsey Crowley is a Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Please contact KCrowley@usatodayco.com. follow her X (Twitter), thread, blue sky and TikTok.
