Former National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman left the nation speechless with her poem at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday (Jan. 20).
First lady Jill Biden hand-picked the 22-year-old L.A.-based poet and Harvard graduate to recite her original poem “The Hill We Climb,” about the nation returning to healing, hope, and harmony. With the reading, Gorman became the youngest poet to write and recite a piece at a presidential inauguration. She paid homage to the Black female poets who came before her by wearing a birdcage ring to symbolize I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, who spoke at former President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993. But she also gave a couple of shout-outs to Hamilton, much to Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s delight.
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“Did you catch the 2 @HamiltonMusical references in the inaugural poem? I couldn’t help myself!” Gorman asked the Hamilton star on Twitter by replying to his enthusiastic “YES” message. For any Hamilfans paying close attention, she nodded to the Broadway musical by recalling Hamilton’s own recitation of Hebrew scripture — “everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid” — and again when she said, “history has its eyes on us.”
“You were perfect. Perfectly written, perfectly delivered. Every bit of it. Brava,” he shot back.
YES @TheAmandaGorman!!! -LMM
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 20, 2021
You were perfect. Perfectly written, perfectly delivered. Every bit of it. Brava! -LMM
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 20, 2021
See more stars’ reactions to Gorman’s moving speech below.
Wonderful https://t.co/vAoqvI8xhE
— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 20, 2021
#AmandaGorman makes history as youngest known inaugural poet!!!#InaugurationDay
— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) January 20, 2021
Well that was fucking amazing. Absolutely stunning poem by @TheAmandaGorman The poise. The power. 😭 pic.twitter.com/TsscDvpE9f
— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) January 20, 2021
Oh this child!!! Amanda Gorman.🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 #BlackGirlMagic
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) January 20, 2021
There is a new star in the literary firmament and her name is @TheAmandaGorman!#InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/YJV2gRV0S8
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) January 20, 2021
If the future looks like inaugural poet laureate Amanda Gorman, we are in good shape. Wise and inspiring.
Our children learn from watching us and make it part of who they become. Be a model of compassion. ❤️#BeTheLight
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) January 20, 2021
To be viewed over and over. “… a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished…”
— @TheAmandaGorman #PoetryForTheWin https://t.co/WFy2iKNufF— Joyce DiDonato (@JoyceDiDonato) January 20, 2021
"The new dawn balloons." – Majestic @TheAmandaGorman. Thank you for these inspired, healing, visionary words.
— Joyce DiDonato (@JoyceDiDonato) January 20, 2021
Ms. Amanda Gorman Ladies and Gentlemen!!!! @TheAmandaGorman pic.twitter.com/dvvc6y2fxX
— Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapsmith) January 20, 2021
Outstanding ✍🏾 & Stunning #AmandaGorman
— JODY WATLEY (@jodywatley) January 20, 2021