Zendaya, Dua Lipa and the Jonas Brothers honor class of 2020 in Graduate Together virtual special 

With the growing coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, everyone’s had to adjust to a new normal.

But the class of 2020, who’s missing their commencement amid stay-at-home orders, had help from a slew of celebs in celebrating during Graduate Together.

The virtual star-studded special took place Saturday, featuring Zendaya, who spoke briefly from her backyard, giving a shoutout to teachers. 

The Euphoria star said: ‘My mother is a teacher, so I know how hard all you guys are working.’ 

She added: ‘Being a senior is so much more than just your senior year. It is every moment from the day you were born, leading up until right now. The tiny ones, the life-changing events, they all add up to make you, the class of 2020.’

Dua Lipa appeared against a green screen to perform the single Break My Heart from her new album Future Nostalgia.

The performance began with a high school drumline, as some high school bands, flag teams, dance squads and cheerleaders danced along.

The event concluded with a performance by the Jonas Brothers, each broadcasting in front of a green screen from their respective homes.

Nick said: ‘All of you have accomplished so much so far, and we wish you all the best in everything that’s ahead of you.’

Joe added, as the music started: ‘Congratulations to all the seniors, and now let’s party!’ 

The trio performed their latest single X, as they were accompanied by Colombian artist Karol G, who’s featured on the track.  

They sang against colorful virtual backdrops, complete with balloons and appearances from dozens of graduates performing a choreographed routine. 

LeBron James kicked off the one-hour special in a green screen warehouse, plastered from wall to wall with photos of graduating seniors.

He said: ‘Celebrate and be proud. We are all ready for the class of 2020 to change the world. Congratulations.’  

Kevin Hart gave a short comedic speech: ‘As you can probably imagine, I was one of the most popular kids in school. That’s a lie! I wasn’t, but I was definitely one of the funniest.’ 

He then recounted his most embarrassing school moment: ‘I got caught with sneakers on that were too big. When I was younger, I took my brother’s sneakers and wore them to school, and they were a size 10. At the time, I was like a size seven.

‘The reason I wore them is because I felt like girls would like guys with big feet. For whatever reason. Use your imagination. I did that, that backfired on me.’ 

Yara Shahidi offered some inspiring words: ‘Even though we are amid circumstances that have affected our families, our friends and communities, I’m inspired by how many of you all continue to ask, “How can I be of service?”‘

The Grown-ish star added: ‘You’ve pushed the bounds of what it means to be a hero, and the whole world is witnessing the incredible superpowers of our generation.’

She recited a quote by author James Baldwin: ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it’s faced.’ 

Maren Morris made a remote appearance with Kane Brown to spotlight student speaker Priscilla Arceo from Santa Ana High School in California.

Timothée Chalamet gave a shoutout to some of his own past teachers: ‘Thank you for your valiant efforts to teach me the art of statistics. Thank you for everything.’

Megan Rapinoe used her speech to encourage grads to vote: ‘The cliché would be for me to ask you all to come together. But we aren’t together. We are separated in ways we’ve never experienced and facing a world that will never be the same.

‘So, I’m not gonna ask you to come together. I’m gonna ask you to demand better, together. For many of you, this year will be the first time you cast a ballot. I urge you not to miss the importance of who makes the decisions in times of crisis and in times of triumph.’ 

Ben Platt made an appearance with his brothers Henry and Jonah to perform an acapella number with a virtual chorus.

They sang a mashup of Maroon 5’s Memories, Vitamin C’s Graduation (Friends Forever), There Are Places I Remember and In My Life by The Beatles, Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again and Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).

Bad Bunny spoke from home in Puerto Rico, giving his speech in Spanish: ‘Work hard on everything that you set out to do, on all your goals. But remember that it doesn’t matter what we achieve.

‘The most important thing is respect for others. It’s respect and the values that we put into practice day to day. They are what says who you are. They are what defines us as people.’

Alicia Keys then gave a beautiful performance of her song Underdog, playing a piano in a large dark room.

From her upcoming album Alicia, she dropped the song in January to reflect the difficult times of today.

Kumail Nanjiani gave a speech as an Animal Crossing avatar, which was dressed in full cap and gown. 

He joked: ‘Thanks for inviting me to your island. It’s the first time I’ve worn pants in weeks… I’m lying, I’m not wearing any pants under this robe.’

The Silicon Valley then revealed all the life lessons he’s learned from the video game: ‘Try new things, water your plants, learn from those who don’t look like you…and most importantly, use what the world puts in front of you, especially sticks. Sticks are important.’

Olivia Wilde then introduced female education activist Malala Yousafzai: ‘Our next speaker is a Nobel Prize Laureate who has spent her life fighting for everyone’s right to an education. 

‘And we used her name as a codeword in Booksmart, which I’m positive is her least impressive accomplishment. But it means a lot to me.’

Malala revealed she’s also missing her graduation this year: ‘The class of 2020 won’t be defined by what we lost to this virus, but how we responded to it. The world is yours now, and I can’t wait to see what you make of it.’

Lena Waithe also gave an uplifting speech: ‘I believe a little adversity makes for a very compelling story. So write a good one. Use your voices and talents to be seen and heard.’

She introduced rapper Chika, who performed her song Crown with Bmike against a beautiful animated mural-in-progress.

H.E.R. gave a soulful performance of her song Sometimes, as she played piano against a beautiful cityscape out her window. 

Pharrell Williams gave some words of wisdom: ‘A great speech, like a great song, comes from the heart. It’s only when the words flow from authentic emotions that it can actually really resonate with the many, versus the few.’ 

President Barack Obama then offered an empowering keynote address, giving some words of wisdom about life during COVID-19.

He said: ‘If you’d planned on going away for college, getting dropped off at campus in the fall — that’s no longer a given. If you were planning to work while going to school, finding that first job is going to be tougher. 

‘Even families that are relatively well-off are dealing with massive uncertainty. Those who were struggling before — they’re hanging on by a thread.’

He added: ‘It’s also pulled the curtain back on another hard truth, something that we all have to eventually accept once our childhood comes to an end. All those adults that you used to think were in charge and knew what they were doing? 

‘Turns out that they don’t have all the answers. A lot of them aren’t even asking the right questions. So, if the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you.’

Obama concluded: ‘The truth is, you don’t need us to tell you what to do. Because in so many ways, you’ve already started to lead. Congratulations, class of 2020. Keep making us proud.’