3 Celebrities That Gave Commencement Speeches in 2022

Taylor Swift: New York University 

Taylor Swift started off her speech with a joke, stating that she is almost positive she was only invited because of her song “22.”

She gave some life hacks to listeners, including a powerful statement about knowing when you should hold onto something and when you should release it. 

Swift recommends stopping yourself from carrying unpleasant grudges, like rude exes and mean bullies. 

As she went on with her life hacks, she then went on a little rant about how everything will be cringe one day. 

You can’t avoid it becoming cringe and you don’t have to! Trends and phases are fun and allow you to look back and laugh at them later on. 

She continued to speak on how effortlessness is a myth and to never be ashamed of trying. 

Best Passage: “Oftentimes the good things in your life are lighter anyway, so there’s more room for them,” she continued. “One toxic relationship can outweigh so many wonderful, simple joys. You get to pick what your life has time and room for. Be discerning.”

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges: Georgia State University 

Starting off on a humorous note, Ludacris states that it took him half an hour to get the graduation cap over his afro backstage. 

He made a large point to thank his family and friends, but especially his mother.

Ludacris continued to acknowledge that there is no single correct way to get to graduation day, especially with many students taking gap years due to the pandemic. 

Of course, he had to rap four lines, which all happened to be clean, from “Welcome to Atlanta” which was a song he was featured on by Jermaine Dupri. 

He continues to speak on Mark Twain’s quote about the two most important days of your life – the one when you are born and the other when you find out why. 

It begins to get deeper as he speaks on mass shootings and the kids who go unfed. 

After pausing for an airplane going overhead, he spoke about the importance of Georgia State University.

From having an African American president to graduating more Black students than any college in America, Ludacris gave thanks to the university for the impact it has had on the Black community. 

In true Ludacris fashion, he posted a video on Instagram after of him wearing a “Class of 2022” chain. 

Best Passage: “The struggles that you guys have encountered here and moving forward will prepare you for your why. Nobody said life would be easy. But I promise you living in your why will make life worth it because life can only be understood backward and not forwards.”  

Henry Winkler: New England Institute of Technology 

After teasing the president about paying for his dinner, he started on a rant about geometry. He stated that he could barely pass the class, making it out with a D minus. 

Winkler stated that despite not knowing any of the graduates, he is extremely proud of each and every one of them.

He encouraged listeners to go out and do the best they can do at whatever they are meant to do. 

Unfortunately, there are only clips of his speech and none of his entire speech. 

Best Passage: “This brain didn’t get geometry, and not only is it okay, I never used it. No one ever said ‘Hey, an isosceles triangle is going to help you with this part.'”