Michelle Obama on Barack Being Called “Fine,” Raising Their Daughters & Watching Trash TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live2 minutes read

Michelle Obama, a former FLOTUS and successful author, discusses family, Christmas traditions, and the importance of confronting fears early in life, highlighting the value of personal gestures over materialism during the holiday season. Michelle and Barack Obama have a tradition of spending Christmas in Hawaii, where Michelle realized the importance of family over romantic ideals during her first trip with Barack.

Insights

  • Michelle Obama values family and tradition, as seen through her annual Christmas trips to Hawaii and her mother's emphasis on early competence for children.
  • Fear is a nuanced emotion that can either protect or limit individuals. Michelle Obama's upbringing contrasts her parents' encouragement to confront fears with her grandparents' constrained lives due to fear, highlighting the impact fear can have on one's opportunities and growth.

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Recent questions

  • Who is Michelle Obama?

    Former FLOTUS and successful author from Chicago.

  • What is Michelle Obama's latest bestseller?

    "The Light We Carry: Overcoming Uncertain Times."

  • Where does Michelle Obama spend Christmas?

    Hawaii.

  • What did Michelle Obama learn from her first trip to Hawaii with Barack?

    Importance of family over romantic ideals.

  • What did Michelle Obama's mother believe in regarding parenting?

    Giving children competence early on to make them self-sufficient.

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Summary

00:00

Michelle Obama: FLOTUS, Author, Family Traditions

  • Michelle Obama is a former FLOTUS and successful author from Chicago.
  • Her newest bestseller is "The Light We Carry: Overcoming Uncertain Times."
  • Michelle discusses her husband, Barack Obama, and their TV preferences.
  • They watch lowbrow TV and sports together.
  • Michelle loves Christmas decorations and spends the holiday in Hawaii.
  • Michelle's first trip to Hawaii with Barack was not what she expected.
  • The trip showed her the importance of family over romantic ideals.
  • Michelle and Barack have a tradition of spending Christmas in Hawaii.
  • Michelle shares stories about her parenting struggles and her mother's wisdom.
  • Michelle's mother believed in giving children competence early on to make them self-sufficient.

15:53

Navigating Fear and Embracing Generosity

  • Fear can be a complex emotion, capable of both keeping one safe and hindering growth if not understood. The speaker's parents instilled in them the importance of confronting fears early in life, contrasting with the speaker's grandparents who were limited by fear, leading smaller lives than necessary due to racism and lack of opportunity.
  • The exchange of homemade gifts between the speaker and the host reflects a shared belief in the value of personal, non-materialistic gestures during Christmas. The speaker gifts homemade jam, emphasizing the importance of traditions and small, personal gestures over materialism, while the host surprises the speaker with two ponies, symbolizing a spirit of generosity and thoughtfulness.
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