'She is a beacon of hope': Beyoncé praises 'brilliant' and 'strong' Michelle Obama in a gushing tribute, as the former first lady is named one of Time's most influential people of 2019

  • This is the second time that Obama, 55, has made the list
  • The issue features influential people, many of whom have short tributes written about them by famous and successful friends and admirers
  • Beyoncé, 37, wrote that loving the former first lady 'wasn't much of a choice' and 'came naturally' to her
  • The singer described Mrs. Obama as ambitious and someone who 'spoke her mind without sacrificing honesty or empathy'
  • Wrote that she's 'honored to know such a brilliant black woman'
  • Said she's grateful her kids 'live in a world where Michelle Obama shines as a beacon of hope who inspires all of us to do better and to be better' 
  • The Time profile angered fans of Melania Trump, who insisted it is unfair that the current first lady has not received the same glowing coverage

Beyoncé sang former first lady Michelle Obama's praises in a short but effusive tribute in this week's issue of Time magazine.

Obama, 55, was named one of the most influential people of the year on the 2019 Time 100 list, and the 37-year-old Lemonade singer penned a short essay explaining exactly why she thinks the honor is so deserved. 

'Loving Michelle Obama wasn't much of a choice,' Beyoncé began. 'It was something that came naturally, because of how she carried herself. Because she resembled us and was moving in spaces where, as black Americans, we weren’t exactly meant to be, she seemed so powerful.'

Love fest: Michelle Obama, 55, was named one of the most influential people of the year on the 2019 Time 100 list — and Beyoncé contributed a short essay about the former first lady

Love fest: Michelle Obama, 55, was named one of the most influential people of the year on the 2019 Time 100 list — and Beyoncé contributed a short essay about the former first lady

'When I first met her, I was embraced by a warm, regal, confident woman who possessed a reassuring calm,' she wrote (pictured in 2015)

'When I first met her, I was embraced by a warm, regal, confident woman who possessed a reassuring calm,' she wrote (pictured in 2015)

Beyoncé recalled meeting the Obamas back in 2009, when she performed at the President's inaugural ball. The Grammy winner sang At Last while the couple shared a dance in front of guests.

But they also shared a private moment that Beyoncé clearly still treasures.

'When I first met her, I was embraced by a warm, regal, confident woman who possessed a reassuring calm, on the eve of President Obama’s historic first Inauguration,' the chart-topper wrote, before going on to extol the former first lady's many virtues as a royal model for young women. 

'The way she looked, walked and spoke, in that warm but authoritative tone, we saw our mothers and sisters,' Beyonce explained.

'She was strong and ambitious and spoke her mind without sacrificing honesty or empathy. That takes a lot of courage and discipline.'

Beyoncé went on to say that Mrs. Obama would have been 'impactful' simply for being the first African-American first lady, but pointed out that she never settled for just being a symbol.

Flashback: The singer performed at the President's inaugural ball in 2009

Flashback: The singer performed at the President's inaugural ball in 2009

'I'm honored to know such a brilliant black woman who's spoken about the sacrifice it takes to balance her passions while remaining a supportive partner and mother, and now a best-selling author with Becoming,' she wrote
Bey went on: 'She has continued to open herself up, even if it meant being criticized. She has continued to be a portrait of grace'

'I'm honored to know such a brilliant black woman who's spoken about the sacrifice it takes to balance her passions while remaining a supportive partner and mother, and now a best-selling author with Becoming,' she wrote

'She also used her position of power to improve the world around her,' she said. 

'Her initiative Reach Higher, for example, encourages young people to complete their education past high school. She empowers all of us to interrogate our fears and surpass greatness.'

The singer continued to praise Obama and list her accomplishments. 

'I'm honored to know such a brilliant black woman who's spoken about the sacrifice it takes to balance her passions while remaining a supportive partner and mother, and now a best-selling author with Becoming,' she wrote. 

'She has continued to open herself up, even if it meant being criticized. She has continued to be a portrait of grace.'

She concluded: 'I am so grateful that my daughters and my son live in a world where Michelle Obama shines as a beacon of hope who inspires all of us to do better and to be better.'

Beyoncé's gushing tribute to the bestselling author will come as no surprise to those who have followed the friendship between the two women for some time now. 

Loving it! Obama is also a fan of Beyoncé, and was captured on video at the singer's concert in Paris last year

Loving it! Obama is also a fan of Beyoncé, and was captured on video at the singer's concert in Paris last year

In fact, while this latest outpouring of praise comes from the chart-topper, both women have had many warm things to say to each other in the past. 

In January, Beyoncé wished Obama a happy birthday on Instagram with a picture of her as a child and the words 'Bow Down' written across it, to which Obama replied: 'Thanks for the love — thankful for you!'

And in 2016, Obama told Stephen Colbert, 'She’s a sweetheart. I mean, she's smart, she's creative, she’s a great mother, she loves her family. I mean, you know, she's just a low-key lady, so we have a lot in common in that way—except I can’t sing, I can’t dance. Not like Beyoncé.'

But Obama did dance at a Beyoncé and Jay Z concert back in 2018, where fans caught her enjoying herself on video.

She also took Sasha and Malia to a Bey and Jay concert in 2014, and introduced Beyoncé's performance at the Global Citizen Festival in 2015.

In 2012, Beyoncé also wrote an open letter to the then-first lady on her website.

Another tribute; In 2012, Beyoncé also wrote an open letter to the then-first lady on her website

Another tribute; In 2012, Beyoncé also wrote an open letter to the then-first lady on her website

She declared Mrs. Obama 'the ultimate example of a truly strong African-American woman.'

'She is a caring mother, she's a loving wife, while at the same time, she is the FIRST LADY!!!!

'No matter the pressure, and the stress of being under the microscope — she's humble, loving, and sincere.

'She builds and nurtures her family, while also looking out for so many million in so many ways.

'Michelle, thank you so much for every single thing that u do for us — I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to.' 

The singer's tribute has been widely praised by her fans on social media, with hundreds of people complimenting the glowing essay on Twitter. They've also heaping praise on her for publishing such thoughtful words about someone else on the same day that her own Netflix documentary debuted. 

Yas! Fans of both women have gone wild for the tribute on social media

Yas! Fans of both women have gone wild for the tribute on social media

'Beyoncé dropped #BeyonceHomecoming making Netflix #BeyFlix, a live album and a funky cover of one of the blackest classics ever with Before I Let Go, and authored Michelle Obama's #Time100 icon essay. I'm inspired and missing my edges. It's not 9 am yet,' one person wrote.

'Today feels like our redo of black history month. Michelle Obama by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & #homecoming drooped?! wrote another.

A third tweeted: 'Michelle Obama by Beyoncé? It's what we all deserve.'

However, the profile was viewed differently by Melania Trump's most dedicated supporters, a couple of whom claimed it is 'unfair' for Obama to receive so much more positive media attention than the current first lady. 

'Ya keep putting her on magazines,' one person complained. 'How many magazines has the currently #FLOTUS been on... zero... so much for feminism. The left can coexist and be tolerant with everyone besides a Republican. True hate.'

Others, meanwhile, insisted that Melania was 'more deserving' of the honor than Obama.  

Critics: A couple people on Twitter have not been pleased with Obama's inclusion in the issue and say Melania Trump should get more attention

Critics: A couple people on Twitter have not been pleased with Obama's inclusion in the issue and say Melania Trump should get more attention

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