michelle obama

Trump Never Invited The Obamas Back To The White House

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There is a long-standing tradition in American politics. As president, you are meant to invite your predecessor back to the White House for the unveiling and hanging of their official Presidential Portrait. Once a staple of the Presidential experience, it was Jackie Kennedy who restarted the tradition in the 1960s.

The tradition of the current President helping unveil the portrait of the previous President started in earnest under President Carter. Carter invited President Ford back to the White House in 1978 to hang Ford’s portrait. The tradition continued from there, with the exception of Carter who requested that there be no ceremony. Bush I invited back Reagan, Clinton invited back Bush I, Bush II invited back Clinton, and Obama invited back Bush II. However, the trend stopped under Trump, who did not extend an invitation to the Obamas. Their portraits were instead unveiled in 2022 by President Biden.

Trump Never Invited The Obamas To The White House

Appearing on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the former First Lady did not hold back. She cut Fallon off as he tried to lead into a question about being invited back under the Biden administration. “Wasn’t invited,” Obama quipped, smirking as the jab threw Fallon off before following up with an “oooh shade.” She then went on to clarify what she meant, “That’s tradition. You do your official portraits. The next president is supposed to invite you back to hang them. We were never invited back. So, these pictures had been done for a long, long time.”

Trump has had a…thorny relationship with his Presidential predecessor to say the least. Reports claim that Trump had the toilets replaced in the White House after the Obamas left. Furthermore, Trump was a very prominent voice in the “Birther movement”, the right-wing conspiracy that Obama was not a US citizen. Despite running against Hilary Clinton in 2016, Trump always positioned himself as an antidote to the Obama era. A president almost famous for his reckless abandonment of protocol, this latest claim of both shunning tradition and snubbing the Obamas is unsurprising. It is unclear when the official portraits of the Trumps will be completed.

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Michelle Obama Warmly Congratulated Beyoncé For ‘Making History’ By Breaking A Grammys Record

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Michelle Obama 2022
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A lot happened at the 2023 Grammy Awards this weekend, but the leading narrative throughout the evening was Beyoncé’s chase for history. She entered the night a few wins away from breaking the all-time record for most career Grammys, a record she did end up claiming. Congratulatory messages have poured in since then, and now Beyoncé has gotten one from former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Obama shared a tweet about the record-breaking victory and wrote, “Congratulations @Beyonce for making history. Thank you for blessing us all with the music we live our lives to — the songs that keep us singing and dancing and talking. You deserve all this and more! [hearts emoji] [crown emoji].”

Obama, by the way, is also a Grammy winner: Her first nomination came in 2020, for her Becoming audiobook in the Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling) category, and she won. Husband and former President Barack Obama also has a couple Grammys to his name, for his audiobooks of Dreams From My Father: A Story Of Race And Inheritance and The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream.

Obama didn’t attend the Grammys, but current First Lady Jill Biden was on hand to award Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That” the Grammy for Song Of The Year.

Michelle Obama Speaks On Why She Didn’t Wear Braids While In The White House

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Michelle Obama

Former First Lady Michelle Obama sat down with Grammy Award-winning Recording artists, Kelly Rowland and H.E.R, supermodel Winnie Harlow, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and moderated by Angie Martinez for an intimate discussion and to talk about her new book “The Light We Carry”  on Revolt’s original Special REVOLT x Michelle Obama: The Cross-Generational Conversation.  Obama dropped gems discussing everything from facing your fears to motherhood and the huge responsibility she carried with being the first lady.  It was like watching a conversation with your girlfriends, aunties, mama, and grandma all in one space.  But when the conversation turned to hair Michelle put an exclamation point in explaining our struggle with representation when it comes to hair from responsibility to hair care and the strategy behind deciding not to wear braids.   “With a platform comes the responsibility and I had to always be thoughtful and mindful of that” she states. ”I remember the second term when I cut bangs,  that was every story (in the media),  I’m talking about nutrition and the article leads with but her bangs….So you realize it’s a trade-off. She explains to the group. “It’s a strategic move and to be honest we were the first. First of all, and they got to get used to us (seeing people of color in the White House). Now I can show up with some braids and that’s all we talking about (in the media), when we did a fist bump with each other they turned that into a terrorist act. It’s just like who needs the hassle let me just straighten my hair and get health care passed.”  

Then Wilie Harlow asks the question that every girl who changes their look on a daily and manages a busy schedule “Was your hair damaged?” That is when Ms. Obama shared her biggest hair care secret. “I wore weaves, extensions, and I had protective styles because you get your hair done every day and sometimes twice a day and if you’re out jumping jax in the rain the things that I did it’s like nope, put some extensions in or I did all kinds of things.” She joked. “I mimicked what my hair was but I would not have any hair on my head if i straightened it as much as I had to.”

See the full interview HERE .  

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Tina Lawson Recalls Young Beyoncé Learning Hard Lesson In Entitlement

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No matter how famous Beyoncé may be, Tina Lawson will share stories about her eldest daughter whenever possible. This time, Ms. Tina sat with a former First Lady for REVOLT x Michelle Obama: The Cross-Generational Conversation. The special also featured guests like Kelly Rowland, Winnie Harlow, and H.E.R., while Angie Martinez acted as host.

During the chat, several women spoke about parenthood and finding the balance of protecting one’s children while also allowing them to make mistakes. Lawson used Beyoncé as an example as she brought up a moment in the singer’s youth. According to Lawson, Bey was just an aspiring singer who felt out-matched by a better vocalist.

Read More: Tina Lawson Dances To Daughter Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Introduces A New Challenge

“There’s a balance so that they don’t feel that they’re entitled to things,” said Lawson. “I remember Beyoncé being in the group at first,” but another singer, a girl slightly older with a “better voice” was brought in.

There was disbelief that there could have been a singer better than Beyoncé, but at the time, it was true.

“She was much older and stronger,” Lawson remembered. She recalled her daughter “coming home and saying, ‘That’s not fair because I brought her there and, you know, they’re not even telling me thank you, and now she’s just singing all the lead.’”

It could have made things simple just to support Beyoncé during her youthful frustration. However, that’s not what Ms. Tina chose to do.

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Read More: Tina Lawson Recalls White Woman Asking Why She Let Beyoncé Marry A “Gangster Rapper”

“I’m like, you know what, I would go get in those voice lessons,” she said. “And I’d just work twice as hard because the world ain’t fair… That was a really tough lesson for that age.”

Little Beyoncé didn’t appreciate the lesson and told her mother, “I hate you.” She even threw in a, “You’re not my best friend and I hate you.”

“When your kids say, ‘You are not my best friend,’” Lawson added. “Well, I don’t want to be your best friend.” It was a lesson that we’re sure Bey has implemented throughout her career.

Check out the full conversation above.

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The Obamas Return To White House For Historic Unveiling Of Official Portraits

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the obamas

The official portraits of Former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are now on display at the White House.  The former First Couple returned to the White House for the unveiling of the historic portraits of the first Black President.  

President Biden honored the pair by saying, “Welcome home.”  He said Obama’s tenure was marked by integrity, decency, moral courage and doing what’s right.  Biden looked at Michelle Obama and noted, “He couldn’t have done it without you.” Calling the former FLOTUS, “one of the most consequential First Ladies.”

The former President praised Biden as a true partner and a good friend.  He also thanked members of his former staff, calling them talented, selfless and idealistic.

READ MORE: 44th President Barack Obama Reveals His 2022 Summer Playlist

First Lady Michelle Obama talked about raising two daughters in the White House for eight years and called it a special place.

Michelle also made comments that insiders believe were directed at the Trump administration. “The people make their voices heard with their vote,” and “we hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power.” She added, “once our time is up, we move on.”

 The historic unveiling marks the return of the tradition of sitting presidents welcoming their predecessors for official portrait unveilings, regardless of party.

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

The post The Obamas Return To White House For Historic Unveiling Of Official Portraits appeared first on The Source.

Michelle Obama Praises Beyonce’s New Single “Break My Soul”

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Beyonce

The queen of pop culture, Beyonce Knowles Carter, released her first single from her new highly anticipated album, Act I, “Renaissance.”  The single titled “Break My Soul” is a song to let loose and get you moving.  Queen B has social media in a chokehold preparing everyone for the big album drop next month. First […]

The post Michelle Obama Praises Beyonce’s New Single “Break My Soul” appeared first on SOHH.com.

Barack And Michelle Obama Share Fond Biz Markie Memories In A Touching Letter Sent To His Widow

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There has been an outpouring of support for universally beloved rapper Biz Markie since his recent death. Now, Barack and Michelle Obama have shared some words as well, via a letter sent to the rapper’s widow, Tara Hall.

The July 30-dated letter, a photo of which Hall shared with TMZ, is signed by both Obamas and reads:

“Dear Tara:

We wanted to extend our heartfelt condolences to you as you reflect on Biz Markie’s life. We didn’t know Biz Markie as long or as well as you and your loved ones did. But like others who admired him, he holds a special place in our hearts as one of rap’s most innovative stylists and as a great man.

Biz Markie brightened every room he was in, and we will always appreciate him for his early support in 2008, bringing people together to ‘Party with a Purpose’ and get out the vote. His legacy in hip hop will span generations just as it has for nearly four decades.

We hope you take comfort in all the fond memories you have with him. Please know that we are holding you, Averi, and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Hall told TMZ she was “stunned” after receiving the letter and plans to have it framed. She’s also starting the Biz Markie’s Just A Friend Charity Fund to support organizations the rapper was already helping, including food banks in Maryland, Bread For The City in Washington DC), and Soles4Souls.

Barack And Michelle Obama Share Fond Biz Markie Memories In A Touching Letter Sent To His Widow

by
Getty Image

There has been an outpouring of support for universally beloved rapper Biz Markie since his recent death. Now, Barack and Michelle Obama have shared some words as well, via a letter sent to the rapper’s widow, Tara Hall.

The July 30-dated letter, a photo of which Hall shared with TMZ, is signed by both Obamas and reads:

“Dear Tara:

We wanted to extend our heartfelt condolences to you as you reflect on Biz Markie’s life. We didn’t know Biz Markie as long or as well as you and your loved ones did. But like others who admired him, he holds a special place in our hearts as one of rap’s most innovative stylists and as a great man.

Biz Markie brightened every room he was in, and we will always appreciate him for his early support in 2008, bringing people together to ‘Party with a Purpose’ and get out the vote. His legacy in hip hop will span generations just as it has for nearly four decades.

We hope you take comfort in all the fond memories you have with him. Please know that we are holding you, Averi, and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Hall told TMZ she was “stunned” after receiving the letter and plans to have it framed. She’s also starting the Biz Markie’s Just A Friend Charity Fund to support organizations the rapper was already helping, including food banks in Maryland, Bread For The City in Washington DC), and Soles4Souls.

HER Shares ‘Change’ From Netflix’s Obama-Produced ‘We The People’

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Netflix’s animated series We The People drops in exactly one month, and today, one of the stars set to be highlighted in the series, HER, has shared her musical contribution to its soundtrack, “Change.” Opening with a mean bass riff, the song describes parts of the political process and advocates for education and participation, acclaiming the power of one person to make a difference. “One day, I’ll be a leader,” she sings. “Believe in ‘We the people.’”

The singer has been lauded in recent months for the string of socially conscious hits she’s released in the past year, which includes the Golden Globe-nominated “Fight For You” from the Judas And The Black Messiah soundtrack and the Grammy-winning “I Can’t Breathe,” released in response to the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin.

We The People, streaming July 4, is produced by Barack and Michelle Obama and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and aims to inspire viewers to become more engaged with their community and government. A description from Netflix reads:

Combining music and animation to educate a new generation of young Americans about the power of the people, We the People is a series of 10 animated music videos that covers a range of basic U.S. civics lessons in not-so-basic ways. Set to original songs performed by artists such as H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, Brandi Carlile, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Lambert, Cordae, Bebe Rexha, KYLE, Andra Day, and poet Amanda Gorman, with a groundbreaking mix of animated styles — each episode of We the People is an exuberant call to action for everyone to rethink civics as a living, breathing thing and to reframe their understanding of what government and citizenship mean in a modern world.

Listen to “Change” above. We The People starts streaming 7/4 on Netflix.

Netflix’s Animated And Obamas-Produced ‘We The People’ Shows Off A Technicolor Trailer Full Of Musical A-Listers

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Netflix just dropped the first official trailer for We the People, an animated music video series created by Chris Nee and produced through a joint collaboration between Kenya Barris and Barack and Michelle Obama. Featuring a powerhouse set list of musical stars like H.E.R. and Janelle Monáe, the 10 episodes series will feature a collection of music videos that will hopefully inspire viewers to rethink their civic engagement. A “Civics Remix,” as the trailer calls it.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Combining music and animation to educate a new generation of young Americans about the power of the people, We the People is a series of 10 animated music videos that covers a range of basic U.S. civics lessons in not-so-basic ways. Set to original songs performed by artists such as H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, Brandi Carlile, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Lambert, Cordae, Bebe Rexha, KYLE, Andra Day, and poet Amanda Gorman, with a groundbreaking mix of animated styles — each episode of We the People is an exuberant call to action for everyone to rethink civics as a living, breathing thing and to reframe their understanding of what government and citizenship mean in a modern world.

We the People starts streaming July 4 on Netflix

(Via Netflix)