How Tyler Perry Challenge Helped Kenyan Feature at Biden's Inauguration

US President Joe Biden (left) during his inauguration on January 20, 2021.
US President Joe Biden (left) during his inauguration on January 20, 2021.
ABC News

Eunice Wanjira Wambari was among the lucky few to have performed during the inauguration of United States of America President Joseph Biden Jr on January 20, 2021.

The Mississippi based healthcare worker in April 2020 joined her colleagues to sing the song, "He's got the whole world", as a message of hope to the people and appreciation of medical practitioners as the US battled the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the time, the song was neither an audition for any show, nor the inauguration itself, but would set the stage for her newly found fame.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation on January 31, 2021, Wambari revealed that she along with her co-workers decided to hop on the challenge by renowned American Producer and filmmaker Tyler Perry and sing the religious tune, to give hope to Americans as the country had been ravaged by the virus.

A collage image of Eunice Wanjira Wambari and US President Joe Biden.
A collage image of Eunice Wanjira Wambari and US President Joe Biden.

"It was the worst time ever in this country because by then it was clear we were losing the war to the virus. So, Tyler Perry had started this challenge where essential workers from around the country would sing that iconic song just to keep our spirits high and not to give in to hopelessness and surrender to this virus," Wambari was quoted as saying.

"Last year Tyler Perry wanted the world to know that God had the whole world in his hands and that we would get through the hardships together," she added.

The video of her singing in that challenge went viral and she was the recipient of congratulatory and encouraging messages from random people from all over.

She revealed that the encouragement she received propelled her to keep up the fight in saving lives as a respiratory therapist.

She told the publication that a week to the January 20 inauguration, producers of the inauguration event contacted her employer at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre (UMMC) seeking her contacts. They had seen her singing challenge featured on television.

The producer then reached out to her, requesting that she sings "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers outside the State Capitol and record herself doing it.

"They instructed me to record myself singing the song, "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. After sending my video in, I had no idea how it would be used, I just felt so blessed to be a part of the inauguration and also thankful to be recognised as a healthcare worker on the frontline," Wambari narrated.

To much of her surprise, she also watched her self sing during the inauguration special event, along with millions from across the world.

"I was shocked. I was screaming. I was just full of excitement, but also honoured to even be part of such an important moment," Wambari recounted.

"One of the producers reached out with an email describing when the segment would appear. At this time, I still did not know who would be involved in the segment. 

"Finally the time came and they announced Demi Lovato was coming up next to sing "Lovely Day". I would be singing with Demi Lovato. I was so excited. I never expected to be part of something so memorable. This inauguration involved the first female vice president and I was part of it," she stated.

After the ceremony, people reached out to congratulate her, and she even featured on a local TV station a day after the inauguration.

Wambari was born in Jacksonville Mississippi on February 19, 1992, to Kenyan parents, Andrew Wambari Kihumba and Hellen Njeri Wambari.

"My parents were born and raised in Kenya, but moved to the US before I was born. My beautiful family lives in Kenya and yes I have been to Kenya to visit my family a couple of times. I can't wait to go back again and visit them and the beautiful country. My last visit was the summer of 2015," Wambari stated.

She has lived her entire life in Mississippi and schooled there as well. She started singing at a tender age when her father was the director of the children's choir at their local church. Today, she is pursuing her music career, growing both as a singer and a songwriter.

"Singing is definitely a career goal of mine. I dream of one day singing in front of a crowd of thousands. I want my music to reach the whole world and touch their hearts. I want everyone to experience the feeling music gives me. It is truly indescribable," Wambari stated.

US Musician Demi Lovato performs 'Lovely Day' along with Eunice Wambari (second bottom right) during President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021.
US Musician Demi Lovato performs 'Lovely Day' along with Eunice Wambari (second bottom right) during President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021.
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