Come this Friday, President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama will be hosting a star-studded farewell party in the White House featuring the couple’s closest celebrities friends and faithful donors.
Those billed to attend according to reports include Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Kendrick Lamar, Samuel L. Jackson, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Bradley Cooper and Stevie Wonder.
The Obamas
The Obamas did gave an indication about the party during an interview with People magazine last month that one final “grown up” event was looming.
“We are going to have a big party before we leave office,” President Obama said. “It’s going to be kind of a grown up party.”
Film directors J.J. Abrams and director George Lucas are also expected to attend.
The last time this many celebrities headed to the White House was for Obama’s 55th birthday party in August. That party featured musical performances from Usher and Kendrick Lamar and had a guest list reported to include Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Anna Wintour, Ellen DeGeneres, Alonzo Mourning and Magic Johnson.
Stevie Wonder with President Obama
If this star-studded shindig follows the traditional Obama script for private parties, the first couple will be footing the bill themselves as they did for the Prince concert last summer. Cellphones will be confiscated at the White House security gate and social media crumbs will be few. But afterward, tales of the president’s dance moves and sore feet will make the late-night talk show rounds.
The White House party will act as the kickoff of a goodbye tour of sorts for President Obama, who will head to Chicago to deliver a farewell address Jan. 10.
