Malia & Sasha Obama Are Finally Talking About Their Mom in First Public Interview

Amelia Edelman
·6 min read

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Yesssss. It’s the moment Obama fans everywhere (you know, at least more than 65 million Americans, sob) have been waiting for: Our once and forever First Daughters are opening up about none other than their mom, First Lady Michelle Obama, in their first public interview… ever. And it’s all thanks to Michelle Obama’s upcoming Netflix documentary, Becoming, which premiers this week on May 6. Honestly, we couldn’t pick a better time or a better vehicle for the inevitable Michelle-shaped jolt of hope, inspiration and courage that we all need so desperately right now.

Oprah Magazine reports that Sasha and Malia’s surprise appearance in the film is introduced by Michelle herself, who tells viewers, “Barack and I are empty nesters, and that has been exhilarating to watch the two little beings you were in charge of grow up,” before the shot cuts to her two daughters — who were 7 and 10 years old when their dad (you know, Barack Obama, that guy) was elected president and who are now 18 and 21.

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“I’m excited for her to be proud of what she’s done,” says Sasha in the interview. “Because I think that that’s the most important thing for a human to do, is be proud of themselves.” Sasha’s currently attending University of Michigan, and Malia is at Harvard.

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From our family to yours, #HappyThanksgiving!

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Nov 27, 2019 at 2:29pm PST

Thankfully, Michelle is “no longer facing that same scrutiny,” adds Malia in the interview. “Being able to let all of that leave your mind, creates so much more space.”

And we imagine these wise-beyond-their-years statements are just a taste of what these badass young women have to say in the documentary about their equally badass mother. As for Michelle herself, she had this to say (on Instagram) about her upcoming stealth-launch film:

“Those months I spent traveling — meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe — drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with. In groups large and small, young and old, unique and united, we came together and shared stories, filling those spaces with our joys, worries, and dreams. We processed the past and imagined a better future. In talking about the idea of ‘becoming,’ many of us dared to say our hopes out loud… Even as we can no longer safely gather we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. Empathy is our lifeline here. Let’s use it to redirect our attention toward what matters most, and find ways to better remake the world in the image of our hopes. Even in hard times, our stories help cement our values and strengthen our connections.”

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I’m excited to let you know that on May 6, @Netflix will release BECOMING, a documentary film directed by @nadiahallgren that looks at my life and the experiences I had while touring following the release of my memoir. Those months I spent traveling—meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe—drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with. In groups large and small, young and old, unique and united, we came together and shared stories, filling those spaces with our joys, worries, and dreams. We processed the past and imagined a better future. In talking about the idea of ‘becoming,’ many of us dared to say our hopes out loud. I treasure the memories and that sense of connection now more than ever, as we struggle together to weather this pandemic, as we care for our loved ones, and cope with loss, confusion, and uncertainty. It’s hard these days to feel grounded or hopeful, but I hope that like me, you’ll find joy and a bit of respite in what Nadia has made. Because she’s a rare talent, someone whose intelligence and compassion for others comes through in every frame she shoots. Most importantly, she understands the meaning of community, the power of community, and her work is magically able to depict it. As many of you know, I’m a hugger. My whole life, I’ve seen it as the most natural and equalizing gesture one human can make toward another—the easiest way of saying, “I’m here for you.” And this is one of the toughest parts of our new reality: Things that once felt simple—going to see a friend, sitting with someone who is hurting, embracing someone new—are now not simple at all. But I’m here for you. And I know you are here for one another. Even as we can no longer safely gather we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. Empathy is our lifeline here. Let’s use it to redirect our attention toward what matters most, and find ways to better remake the world in the image of our hopes. Even in hard times, our stories help cement our values and strengthen our connections. Sharing them shows us the way forward. I love and miss you all. #IAmBecoming.

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Apr 27, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

We can’t say “amen” to this enough. We’ll just be over here sob-tiding ourselves over with way too many episodes of The West Wing until Becoming drops the day after tomorrow. Hey, a girl’s gotta dream…of leaders who put the people first, and who know that “empathy is our lifeline” always.

Michelle Obama’s best quotes from before the 2016 election are still keeping us afloat even now.

Launch Gallery: Michelle Obama's best quotes can help us get through the next four years

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