WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman speaks at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.  During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Cover Amanda Gorman performs her self-penned poem, "The Hill We Climb" during the presidential inauguration (Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Amanda Gorman became the youngest poet to perform at a presidential inauguration and her poem, "The Hill We Climb" called for unity and togetherness

Clad in a dashing yellow coat and regal red headband both by Prada, young poet laureate, Amanda Gorman delivered a powerful poem recital at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The 22-year-old is the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate and the recital of her self-penned poem, The Hill We Climb captured the hearts of those watching in Washington DC and overseas.

Prior to her performance at the inauguration, Gorman's poems focused on the issues of oppression, feminism, race, marginalisation as well as the African diaspora.

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Above Watch Amanda Gorman's performance of "The Hill We Climb"

All eyes were on Gorman as she performed her five-minute poem, which called for unity and togetherness but also mixed in some pop-culture references including Hamilton. Gorman cites the speeches of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr and Winston Churchill as inspiration for the poem. Many including former First Lady, Michelle Obama praised The Hill We Climb for its strong and poignant words.

Gorman also inserted some anecdotes, describing herself as a "skinny Black girl / descended from slaves and raised by a single mother / can dream of becoming president / only to find herself reciting for one."

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Tatler Asia
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman arrives at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC.  During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Above Amanda Gorman arrives at the inauguration of President Joe Biden (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The writer and performer followed in the footsteps of other famous poets such as Robert Forst and Maya Angelou. Gorman, talking to BBC said "I really wanted to use my words to be a point of unity and collaboration and togetherness."

She adds that her poem is about "a new chapter in the United States, about the future, and doing that through the elegance and beauty of words."

Other than Gorman's inspirational poem, her outfit also made a statement and caught the eyes of many. The sunny Prada head-to-toe coat is a nod to First Lady, Jill Biden while Gorman's jewellery, Nikos Koulis earrings and an Of Rare Origin ring were given by Oprah Winfrey.

See also: 15 Instagram Poets to Follow for Daily Inspiration and Beautiful Verse

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