Princeton Class of 2025 Announces Jay Shetty as Class Day Speaker

Princeton, New Jersey — Jay Shetty, a bestselling author, podcast host, and life coach, has been named the speaker for the Class of 2025 Class Day, scheduled for May 26. The announcement was made by the Class Day chairs, who emphasized Shetty’s focus on community, mental health, and meaningful relationships.

Class Day takes place the day before Princeton’s Commencement and features student remarks, award presentations, and a keynote address from an invited guest. Previous speakers include notable figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, comedian Trevor Noah, and Senator Cory Booker.

The Class Day Committee, consisting of Venezia Garza ’25, Gil Joseph ’25, Kelly Park ’25, and Ben Wachspress ’25, described their careful and value-driven selection process. “From our very first meeting last April, we just brought in a list of values we wanted our speaker to embody,” Park stated. “We didn’t come with a list of speakers — we came in with the values first.”

The Committee’s decision to select Shetty stemmed from his emphasis on mental wellness, which they believe resonates with their classmates amidst global uncertainty. “He was super excited about the opportunity to come and speak at Princeton,” Joseph said. “We wanted someone who was as excited about Princeton as we were about them.”

The announcement, finalized in December, generated a mix of reactions among students. Many seniors expressed enthusiasm after the reveal. “I think a lot of our peers were really excited,” Garza noted. “It was really nice to hear that people had already come across this content in one way or another,” added Park, referencing Shetty’s established presence on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify.

However, not all students reacted positively. Some voiced disappointment during conversations with The Daily Princetonian. “I had never heard of him before,” said Sydney Cha ’25. “I was under the impression that the Class Day speaker is usually more well-known than the Baccalaureate speaker.”

Charlie Multerer ’25 expressed similar sentiments, mentioning Shetty’s celebrity status as “a wellness influencer” but believing a speaker with more relatable life experiences would be a better fit. He also raised concerns about allegations of Shetty plagiarizing content. In 2019, Shetty removed over 100 videos from platforms after a YouTuber noted he had used various sources without proper attribution.

Izabela Konopka ’25 echoed these concerns, stating, “Once I looked into him, the controversy around his coaching school really soured my opinion. I’m not sure he reflects the values I’d want represented at Class Day.”

Meanwhile, Jenna Elliott ’25 shared a more nuanced perspective, saying, “I didn’t have any particular expectations, but given that so much of [Shetty’s] identity revolves around self-discovery and growth, he seems to fit the tone of graduation.”

The Class Day Committee recognized that Shetty may not be universally known among the graduating class. “It’s okay to have people who do not know some celebrities,” Joseph said. “We thought the meaning and substance of the speech should precede celebrity status.”

Born in London to Indian parents, Shetty developed an interest in success and fulfillment early in life after hearing a monk speak. He has since spent time living and learning with monks and launched the award-winning podcast “On Purpose” in 2019. Shetty has welcomed celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Kim Kardashian as guests.

Shetty is also the author of two bestselling books: “Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day” and “8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go.” He will address the Class of 2025 on Cannon Green during the Class Day Ceremony.