{"id":712927,"date":"2026-06-19T05:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T05:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/712927\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T05:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T05:01:10","slug":"the-celebrities-who-attended-the-obama-presidential-centers-opening-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/712927\/","title":{"rendered":"The celebrities who attended the Obama Presidential Center\u2019s opening ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jackson Park was full of famous faces Thursday as former President Barack Obama, his family and his supporters celebrated the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, a museum, public campus and library in the heart of his South Side stomping grounds.<\/p>\n

The crowd included local politicians, celebrities ranging from Mark Hamill to LL Cool J and David Letterman; and athletes including tennis legend Billie Jean King and basketball stars Dwyane Wade and Isiah Thomas. Marsai Martin served as the official correspondent for the watch party, held at Midway Plaisance \u2014 off site, but not far from the center. <\/p>\n

The opening ceremony also boasted a festival-worthy lineup of performers. Here are some of the cultural icons, sports figures and politicians in attendance.<\/p>\n

Musical performers:<\/p>\n

Christina Aguilera<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Christina<\/p>\n

Christina Aguilera performs Thursday at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on the South Side.<\/p>\n

Aguilera sang a cover of Louis Armstrong\u2019s \u201cWhat a Wonderful World.\u201d She previously joined Barack Obama<\/a> at a Democratic National Finance Committee fundraiser in Los Angeles in 2018, where she performed at a private residence.<\/p>\n

Marc Anthony<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"_Z723625.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Marc Anthony performs during the opening ceremony Thursday at the Obama Center on the South Side.<\/p>\n

Anthony performed his 2013 hit song \u201cVivir Mi Vida.\u201d He endorsed<\/a> Obama for president in 2012 and joined him<\/a> on the campaign trail to rally Latino voters. The former president\u2019s official 2013 inauguration playlist<\/a>, curated by Obama himself, includes Anthony\u2019s 2007 cover of the Hector Lavoe song \u201cMi Gente.\u201d<\/p>\n

Common<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago musician Common shakes hands with former President George W. Bush at the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

The Chicago native, rapper and producer has a long history with the former president. He was invited to the White House in 2011 to perform a poem<\/a> in an evening celebrating American music and literature. In a 2021 appearance on \u201cThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,\u201d Common said that the former president still owes him<\/a> a one-on-one game of basketball.<\/p>\n

Jennifer Hudson<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Jennifer<\/p>\n

Jennifer Hudson performs during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

Hudson sang the national anthem. Michelle Obama appeared<\/a> on an episode of \u201cThe Jennifer Hudson Show\u201d last year, where she spoke with Hudson about motherhood, marriage and her South Side roots.<\/p>\n

John Legend<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Legend performers during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

Legend covered 1973\u2019s \u201cSomeday We\u2019ll All Be Free\u201d by Chicagoan Donny Hathaway. He was executive producer<\/a> on the film \u201cSouthside With You,\u201d which is the story of how Barack and Michelle Obama first met. He spent a good amount of time with the Obamas to make the movie, including a double date<\/a> with his wife, model Chrissy Teigen.<\/p>\n

The Roots<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Roots performs during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

The Roots opened the ceremony. In 2018, Questlove curated a playlist<\/a> for the release of Michelle Obama\u2019s book, \u201cBecoming.\u201d He and Michelle Obama produced a podcast<\/a> about Stevie Wonder called \u201cThe Wonder of Stevie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bruce Springsteen<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Bruce<\/p>\n

Bruce Springsteen performs during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

Springsteen performed his 2001 song \u201cLand of Hope and Dreams.\u201d A longtime friend of Obama, the iconic singer-songwriter has written and performed for decades about political themes. Years ago, the duo recorded a podcast together on Springsteen\u2019s New Jersey farm, which later became a book, \u201cRenegades: Born in the USA.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Tems<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tems<\/p>\n

Tems performs at the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidental Center on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Times<\/p>\n

Tems performed her hit \u201cMe & U.\u201d The Nigerian singer-songwriter was featured on Barack Obama\u2019s 2022 and 2024 summer playlists.<\/p>\n

U2 (Bono and The Edge)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Bono<\/p>\n

Bono performs during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

Irish rockers U2 and the Obamas go way back<\/a>: The band performed at Barack Obama\u2019s first inauguration celebration in 2009. They performed \u201cCity of Blinding Lights\u201d Thursday for the former president, who frequently lists the song as one of his favorite tracks. Bono\u2019s friendship with the Obamas spans decades: They\u2019ve been spotted grabbing lunch<\/a> in New York City and have spent years collaborating on humanitarian efforts<\/a> around poverty, HIV\/AIDs and debt relief.<\/p>\n

Eddie Vedder<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Eddie<\/p>\n

Eddie Vedder performs during the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Vedder performed an original song called \u201cBetter Believe\u201d with a local nonprofit<\/a>, Guitars Over Guns<\/a>. The lead singer and guitarist of \u201990s grunge band Pearl Jam has been a longtime supporter of the Obamas; as a part of a farewell concert at the end of Obama\u2019s second presidential term, Vedder performed an acoustic set <\/a>alongside the Chicago Children\u2019s Choir.<\/p>\n

Stevie Wonder<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Stevie<\/p>\n

Stevie Wonder performs during the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Wonder closed the performances with \u201cAll I Do\u201d and \u201cSigned, Sealed, Delivered (I\u2019m Yours).\u201d The Obamas chose Wonder\u2019s 1972 track \u201cYou and I (We Can Conquer the World)\u201d<\/a> for their first dance as husband and wife at their 1992 wedding. Michelle Obama produced a podcast about Stevie Wonder, called \u201cThe Wonder of Stevie,\u201d<\/a> with Questlove from The Roots.<\/p>\n

Entertainment:<\/p>\n

Jon Batiste<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Jon<\/p>\n

Jon Batiste hugs a supporter before the start of the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Batiste has both collaborated with the Obamas as media producers and earned spots on the former president\u2019s annual playlists. Barack Obama executive produced the documentary American Symphony, which follows tracks Batiste and his wife on her cancer journey. as they learn she has recurring cancer.<\/p>\n

Ken Burns<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Ken<\/p>\n

Ken Burns chats with Tom Hanks before the start of the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Burns endorsed Obama for president in 2007 and compared the young senator<\/a> to Abraham Lincoln. The pair have collaborated on film and media projects, including when Burns enlisted Obama as part of a project<\/a> to encourage knowledge of the Gettysburg Address.<\/p>\n

Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey<\/p>\n

Two familiar voices will guide visitors as they navigate the Obama Presidential Center: Hanks and Winfrey narrate portions<\/a> of the library tour. Hanks narrated a 2012 campaign video for the former president, while the retired talk show host Winfrey gave Obama an early endorsement in 2007.<\/p>\n

George Lucas<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"George<\/p>\n

George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson, chat with supporters before the start of the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

In 2013, then-President Barack Obama awarded Lucas the National Medal of Arts during an event at the White House. Lucas spoke about Obama while on a promotional stop for a film in Japan in 2008, where he said the politician is \u201ca hero in the making.\u201d<\/a> Lucas\u2019 wife, Chicagoan and businesswoman Mellody Hobson, was also spotted.<\/p>\n

Conan O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Comedian<\/p>\n

Comedian Conan O\u2019Brien attends the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere\/Sun-Time<\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien interviewed then-senator Obama in May 2006<\/a> and pushed him on whether he\u2019d run for president. The two have remained friendly over the years, with Obama appearing on Conan\u2019s podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tyler Perry<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Tyler Perry chats with supporters before the start of the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Perry posted on Instagram<\/a> that he \u201c[f]lew halfway around the world just to be back for this moment.\u201d The two men were caught in a famous photo<\/a> at Perry\u2019s home library taken during Black History Month in 2015, each standing beside chairs once owned by President Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n

Steven Spielberg<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Steven<\/p>\n

Steven Spielberg chats with supporters before the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Obama, who is close friends with Spielberg, dropped by the set<\/a> of \u201cDisclosure Day\u201d as a surprise while the film was in production last year.<\/p>\n

Athletes:<\/p>\n

Isiah Thomas<\/p>\n

When the Obama Presidential Center posted a video of the former president shooting hoops with NBA star Anthony Edwards, legendary point guard Isiah Thomas tweeted<\/a>, \u201cThis is so dope!!! I gotta meet President Obama!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Dwyane Wade<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Dwyane<\/p>\n

Dwyane Wade at the Obama Presidential Center opening ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.<\/p>\n

Wade praised Obama\u2019s game<\/a> in 2012. \u201cHe was kind of like a point guard,\u201d he told TIME Magazine<\/a>. \u201cHe was passing a lot. He\u2019s smooth \u2014 like he talks, like he walks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bears president Kevin Warren; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Cubs Tom Ricketts.<\/p>\n

Politics:<\/p>\n

Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden; former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush; former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; former Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff.<\/p>\n

Former U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice; former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Bill Daley.<\/p>\n

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth; U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi.<\/p>\n

Ill. Reps. Mike Quigley, Bobby Rush, Bill Foster, Jonathan Jackson, Danny Davis, Robin Kelly and Terri Sewell.<\/p>\n

Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton; Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias; State Treasurer Michael Frerichs; Attorney General Kwame Raoul; State Sen. President Don Harmon; Comptroller Susana Mendoza; State Rep. La Shawn Ford.<\/p>\n

Mayor Brandon Johnson; former Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot; Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling; Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss.<\/p>\n

California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; former Canadian PM Justin Trudeau; former German Chancellor Angela Merkel; former Italian PM Matteo Renzi; presidential scholar Norm Ornstein; civil rights leader Al Sharpton.<\/p>\n

Members of the Obama White House and campaign staffers:<\/p>\n

White House videographer Arun Chaudhary; White House, Senate campaign and Obama Senate press secretary Robert Gibbs; Strategist Anita Dunn; Pollster Joel Benenson; Presidential campaign, White House Justice Department, Kevin Lewis; First lady comms Katie McCormick Lelyveld; Presidential campaign, White House Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer; Political consultant Pete Giangreco.<\/p>\n