Star Magazine logo

STAR Pays for Scoops!

Button which opens 'Send us a scoop' formClick here!

or call (800) 609-8312

'SNL' Maya Rudolph Belts Out Beyonce-Inspired National Anthem For Graduates

Maya Rudolph Visits "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

Credit: Getty

Sing it, sister!

Maya Rudolph showed up at Tulane University to give a little extra ‘umph’ to the graduation ceremony on May 16. Instead of the typical serious string of words, Maya split sides in the audience with her hilarious speech, but moreso for her singing the National Anthem in a not-so-normal voice.

So, why this graduation? Maya’s father was a Tulane grad and he holds a pretty special place in her life. In fact, she recalled telling him one day she’d be on Saturday Night Live. After graduating from the University of California, she took acting and improv classes to learn a simple way to succeed that would get her to SNL one day (aka the classic rule to any situation): “yes, and.”

So, she may have said a few encouraging words like:

“It really is a true honor to be with all of you as you begin this new phase of your life, as you embark on this exciting and challenging journey of being sober during the day,” Maya kicked off her presentation. “Say ‘yes, and.’ Create your own destiny. Hold onto your old friends. Kiss your mama. Admit what your dreams are. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know what you’re gonna do tomorrow, but work hard and don’t be lazy. And put away your damn iPhone once in awhile.”

In her video, you’ll catch an Oprah reference (“YOU get a diploma!) and her honesty about not being in the mood to ever write this speech for their graduation (procrastination). And she couldn’t forget to stir some Beyonce-inspiration into the song too.

Filed under: ,