Barack Obama 60th birthday bash: Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney in star-studded guestlist
Former President Barack Obama is planning a star-studded bash for his 60th birthday in Martha's Vineyard, sources have revealed.
The 44th POTUS, who has spent the last few weeks at his home on the coveted island, is purportedly thinking of inviting dozens of his celebrity pals to his 30-acre estate on August 4. “It's going to be big,” one source told The Hill, while another source said many A-listers and friends of the former first family had scored invites, including media queen Oprah Winfrey and Hollywood hunk George Clooney. That said, guests are reportedly being asked to take a Covid-19 test before attending the party at the Obamas' $11.75 million, seven-bedroom, 7,000-square foot mansion.
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The former president is known to throw lavish soirees on milestone birthdays. When Obama turned 50 in 2011, he invited a number of A-listers, including musicians Jay-Z and Stevie Wonder, actor Tom Hanks, comedian Chris Rock, Oprah Winfrey, and basketball legends Charles Barkley and Grant Hill at the White House. Also in attendance were some friendly politicians and his Chicago law school friends.
In 2016, The New York Post reported how the guestlist for his 55th birthday party included singers Beyonce, Jay Z, Usher, Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, and John Legend; actors Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alfre Woodard; athletes Magic Johnson, Alonzo Mourning; and designer Jason Wu. Also in attendance were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, future President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
The White House downplayed the glitz factor at the time, telling reporters only that the guest list included "a large number of family members and friends to mark the occasion."
While the official guest for this year's bash list isn't out yet, one can assume the usual suspects are to be present on Obama's special day. Beyonce and Jay Z have been friends with the family for years and have attended several White House events, including an Easter Egg Roll with their daughter Blue Ivy in 2016 and performances at both of the former President's inaugurations. Lamar is Obama's favorite rapper, while Wonder, Hudson, and Usher have performed at several POTUS-hosted events.
In January 2017, Barack and Michelle decided to throw a final bash for their loved ones as the sun set over the Obama White House.
This time, the guest list included Wonder, Usher, George and Amal Clooney, Lena Dunham, Chance the Rapper, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Chappelle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Usher, Robert DeNiro, and George Lucas.
Obama had told People magazine in December 2016 that he and his wife Michelle were “going to have a big party before we leave office." Chance the Rapper declared the party "amazing" on social media. “They wouldn’t let us bring cameras into this shit but just know it was historic, it was black, it was beautiful, there was dancing, there was laughing, there was loving there were hugs,” the rapper said at the time.
Among other stars who attended the soiree were actors Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson; model Chrissy Teigen and her musician husband, John Legend, and retired late-night TV host David Letterman, who arrived wearing a sweater. They were followed by actress Meryl Streep, producer and comedian Tyler Perry, film producer Harvey Weinstein; the Saturday Night Live creator, Lorne Michaels; chef José Andrés, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who grabbed headlines for meeting with Obama's successor Donald J. Trump at the time. Also in attendance were actors Olivia Wilder and her husband Jason Sudeikis, who posted a selfie as they left the party.