Los Angeles, June 14 : Singer Alicia Keys says she "connects" with Michelle Obama as they are both campaigners for female empowerment.

The 33-year-old was one of a privileged few who were invited to perform at US President Barack Obama's official inauguration ball for his second term in January, and the singer made good friends with the First Lady.

"I very much connect with Michelle. And we've done different things together that have given us so much to talk about - she's really interested in girls and empowerment too,” contactmusic. com quoted Alicia as saying. (IANS)