The best advice celebrity graduation speakers gave the class of 2019

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• Every year, colleges invite celebrities to deliver commencement speeches at their graduations.
• Oprah Winfrey told graduates that life isn't about a "big break," but about "taking one big life transforming step at a time."
• Viola Davis said that "You can either leave something for people or you can leave something in people" in her speech at Barnard College.
• Katie Holmes advised against using a fake ID to buy alcohol and then trying to pay with a check.
• Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

Every year, colleges invite celebrities to deliver commencement speeches at their graduations and leave the graduating class with some words of wisdom. Who better to speak about success, failure, and following your dreams than accomplished people who have achieved theirs?

Here's what 10 celebrities shared with the class of 2019 about life after graduation.

Ken Jeong: "Figure out what your act II is, and embrace the change, embrace the twists and the unexpected turns. They’ll be good and they’ll be bad, but embrace that."

UNC Greensboro/YouTube

"They say everything happens for a reason," the actor told UNC Greensboro's class of 2019. "I don't know if that's true, but I do know everything happens, and it's up to you to maximize the reality of your situation."

Oprah Winfrey: "I'm here to tell you that your life isn’t some big break, like everybody tells you that is. It's about taking one big life-transforming step at a time."

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Winfrey told the 2019 graduates of Colorado College that it's okay to take it slow.

"I'm here to tell you that you actually do get to transform the world every day by your actions," she said. "Small steps lead to big accomplishments."

Glenn Close: "Your perspective is unique. It's important and it counts. Try not to compare it to anyone else. Accept it. Believe in it. Nurture it."

William & Mary/YouTube

Close also advised the graduates of The College of William and Mary to "Stay fiercely, joyously connected to the friends you have made here."

"You will have each other's backs for the rest of your lives," she said.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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