Christina Aguilera Delivered Her Own Take on One of Barack Obama’s Favorite Songs During the Obama Presidential Center Opening Celebration.
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Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, and other artists also took the stage to perform during the special event.
Christina Aguilera delivered a memorable performance during the official opening celebration of the Obama Presidential Center.
The celebration was held on Thursday, June 18, at the Center’s John Lewis Plaza in Chicago and featured a lineup of musical performances from several major artists.
Aguilera, 45, impressed the crowd with her rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” a song known to be one of Barack Obama’s favorites. The classic track was originally recorded in 1967 by Louis Armstrong.
While introducing the singer, Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, shared that Aguilera had never performed the song publicly before. She explained that the singer created a new arrangement specifically for the occasion, making the performance even more meaningful.
During the performance, Obama was seen enjoying the moment alongside Michelle Obama, and the couple later showed their appreciation by giving Aguilera a standing ovation.
The opening event also featured performances from Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and The Edge of U2, Eddie Vedder, Marc Anthony, Tems, Common, Marsai Martin, and The Roots.
Known for his appreciation of music, Obama regularly shares his favorite songs and artists each year. His 2025 list included names such as Olivia Dean, Lady Gaga, and BLACKPINK.
Obama and Michelle attended the opening celebration with their daughters, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama. The 19.3-acre center, located on Chicago’s South Side, was created as a space focused on education, community, and inspiring future leaders.
The facility includes a museum housed inside an eight-story tower, along with a fitness center, public library branch, event areas, athletic facilities, and outdoor spaces. The Obama Presidential Center officially opened to visitors on June 19.
Earlier, Aguilera also celebrated the 25th anniversary of her holiday album My Kind of Christmas with a special concert film recorded at the Eiffel Tower. She later revealed that filming the performance was challenging because she has a fear of heights.
During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the “Beautiful” singer recalled feeling nervous while traveling up the tower, describing the experience as frightening — especially when the elevator unexpectedly stopped during the ascent.