{"id":29979,"date":"2026-06-25T11:50:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=29979"},"modified":"2026-06-25T11:50:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:50:24","slug":"tems-stepped-onto-a-stage-filled-with-presidents-music-legends-and-thousands-of-guests-in-a-striking-crimson-gown-but-it-was-her-emotional-performance-of-me-u-at-the-obam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=29979","title":{"rendered":"Tems Stepped Onto A Stage Filled With Presidents, Music Legends, And Thousands Of Guests In A Striking Crimson Gown\u2014But It Was Her Emotional Performance Of \u201cMe & U\u201d At The Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening That Left The Biggest Impression, Reminding Everyone Why Barack Obama Has Kept Her Music On His Personal Playlists For Years"},"content":{"rendered":"

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So many exciting things happened at the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening on Thursday. There was Stevie Wonder closing out the night with \u201cHigher Ground.\u201d There was\u00a0Bono<\/strong>\u00a0singing \u201cMichelle, ma belle\u201d to\u00a0Michelle<\/strong>\u00a0Obama<\/strong>\u00a0mid-performance. There were four former US presidents sitting in the same room together. But most exciting of all, there was a performance from Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer\u00a0Tems<\/strong>, who took to the stage at the Center\u2019s John Lewis Plaza in Chicago and reminded everyone exactly why\u00a0Barack<\/strong>\u00a0Obama<\/strong>\u00a0has been a fan of hers for years.<\/p>\n

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\"Tems<\/p>\n

Tems getting her makeup done behind the scenes, featuring deep purple ombre lipstick, defined eyeliner, and voluminous dark curls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Stepping onto the stage looking absolutely breathtaking, the songstress anchored the room in a rich crimson gown that mirrored the weight of the historic event. Moving with her signature regal poise, she delivered a striking silhouette across the plaza as she performed \u201cMe & U<\/strong>\u201c\u2014a song that had already earned its place on one of Obama\u2019s annual playlists, which says a lot about how this booking came together.<\/p>\n

Before she started, she told the crowd: \u201cI\u2019m so blessed and so honoured to be here. This one is to you, everyone in this room and to Mr. and Mrs. Obama and all the family.\u201d This is far from the first time Tems has had Obama\u2019s attention. \u201cVibe Out<\/strong>\u201d made his 2022 list. \u201cLove Me Jeje<\/strong>\u201d made it in 2024.<\/p>\n

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\"Tems<\/p>\n

Tems singing live into a microphone on stage in her red gown during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The rest of the ceremony matched the scale of the moment.\u00a0Christina<\/strong>\u00a0Aguilera<\/strong>,\u00a0Jennifer<\/strong>\u00a0Hudson<\/strong>, John Legend, Common, U2\u2019s Bono and The Edge, Marc Anthony, Bruce Springsteen, and Eddie Vedder all performed, alongside The Roots, before Stevie Wonder closed it all out. In the audience sat Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden, alongside their first ladies, as Obama reflected on his journey from community organiser to president, and Michelle delivered a speech on democracy and belonging that the internet has not stopped talking about since.<\/p>\n

Watch Tems performance below<\/p>\n

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\"Grammy-winning<\/p>\n

Portrait detail of Tems\u2019 sophisticated styling ahead of her performance for the Obama family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Nigerian<\/p>\n

A look at Tems\u2019 elegant crimson red draped gown worn for her live performance at the Obama Presidential Center.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

See more photos of her below and watch her performance<\/p>\n

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\"Nigerian<\/p>\n

A look at Tems\u2019 elegant crimson red draped gown worn for her live performance at the Obama Presidential Center.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Grammy-winning<\/p>\n

Portrait detail of Tems\u2019 sophisticated styling ahead of her performance for the Obama family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n