Grammys 2019: Michelle Obama's surprise appearance thrills audience and Twitter

Michelle Obama thrilled with a surprise appearance at the 61st Grammy Awards.
Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez at the 61st Grammy Awards. Photo credit: Getty

Michelle Obama's surprise appearance at the 61st Grammy Awards appeared to work the crowd into an ecstatic frenzy.

The former First Lady of the US took to the stage to an instrumental version of Dr Dre's 'The Next Episode', aka 'Smoke Weed Everyday', flanked by Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Obama had to pause her monologue to allow the applause and cheering to subside, telling the audience "alright, we got a show to do".

"From the Motown records I wore out on the Southside to the 'Who Run the World' - songs that fuelled me through this last decade - music has always helped me tell my story," she said.

"Music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes, our joys. Music shows us that all of it matters."

After her appearance with the pop stars, Obama posted a photo of them together on Twitter with a special tribute to Alicia Keys.

"A big part of friendship is showing up for your girls - that's why I was thrilled to be there for the one and only @aliciakeys at the #GRAMMYs.

"She is one of the most genuine and thoughtful people I know - there's no one better to help us all celebrate the unifying power of music!"

The celebration of female musicians continued during the 2019 Grammys ceremony - Dolly Parton was joined by Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus for a medley of her hits, and Diana Ross celebrated her 75th birthday with a powerful performance.

The crowd's overjoyed reaction to Obama was captured on camera, but people who weren't at the ceremony joined in the celebration on Twitter.

Newshub.