Michelle Obama Calls Beyoncé 'My Girl': A Look At Their Friendship Over The Years

KEY POINTS

Michelle and Beyoncé appear to have developed a strong bond before Barack Obama took up office in 2009
Michelle once said she wants to be Beyoncé if she could be anyone other than herself
Beyoncé performed at former President Obama’s first inauguration ball

Michelle Obama and singer Beyoncé share a longstanding friendship filled with mutual respect and admiration, and they proved that once more when the former first lady honored the singer at this year's BET Awards.

On Sunday (June 28), Obama presented the BET Humanitarian Award to Beyoncé during the virtual ceremony. Addressing Beyoncé as "my girl," former President Barack Obama's wife praised her for her philanthropic activities and for being an inspiration to many.

“I am here to talk about The Queen,” Michelle said in a video. “You know the one!”

The former FLOTUS highlighted Beyoncé's activism and her contribution to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“You can see it in everything she does. From her music that gives voice to Black joy and Black pain, to her activism that demands justice for Black Lives. And no matter how big the stages get, I know my girl isn’t satisfied unless she’s sharing all that shine with the next generation,” Michelle continued.

While it’s not clear when Michelle and Beyoncé first met, they seemed to have developed a strong bond before the former's husband Barack took up office in 2009.

At former President Obama's inauguration ball, Beyoncé was chosen to perform for the new first couple, and she sang "At Last" for their first dance. Beyoncé also sang the national anthem for Obama's second inauguration.

In a bid to support Michelle in her “Let’s Move” project, a public health campaign aimed to reduce childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle, Beyoncé came out with a new video in 2011 for her song "Get Me Bodied."

Michelle, on her part, gave Beyoncé the ultimate compliment when she said she would want to be the singer if she could be anyone other than herself.

The former first lady also proved she was a fan of the singer when she belted out Beyoncé’s iconic hit "Single Ladies" during her "Carpool Karaoke" with James Corden.

Last year, Michelle took to Instagram to congratulate Beyoncé for the release of her "Homecoming" Netflix special, saying, "Girl, you have done it again."

“Constantly raising the bar for us all and doing it flawlessly,” Michelle said. “I’d say I’m surprised, but I know who you are. I’ve seen it up close and personal. Girl, you make me so proud, and I love you.”