Former First Lady wows at Essence Fest

By Kelly Harris
Contributing Writer

The highly anticipated conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama at Essence Festival was a historic event for Essence Communications and the City of New Orleans. CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King and the former First Lady sat in conversation on the Essence Festival main stage and did not disappoint the crowd.

The conversation between the two women was staged with plush furniture and montage videos of Mrs. Obama and the former first family during their years in the White House.

Obama’s visit was in part to celebrate the success of her book, “Becoming,” and the 25th anniversary of the Essence Festival.

Obama spoke candidly about her career, family and life, including her first impression of Barack Obama, balancing marriage, motherhood and life in the spotlight.

“I grew up on the Southside of Chicago with Robinsons, Smiths and Joneses. I didn’t know no Barack Obama,” Obama said, and even went on to admit that she was a little skeptical of white people’s recommendations that she should meet him. “But then I hear that Barack Obama voice on the phone and I was like, ‘Oh,’” she said, as the crowd joined her in laughter.

As she spoke on the importance of balance as a wife and mother, Obama implored women in the audience to have a self-care practice to take care of their minds, bodies and spirits because the wellness of a household depends on its woman.

“Men need to talk more. Get you some friends,” she told the men in the audience when asked about her and Barack Obama’s marriage-counseling journey. “We can’t be role models and not tell people the truth about life and relationships. Marriage is work,” Obama said.

After eight years in the White House, Obama says she looks back with gratitude that they were able to endure punches from the world and stay the course as public servants and as a family.

When asked if the Obamas are living their best lives, Michelle Obama, replied, “We sleep well at night, but no, we are not living our best lives, until all of us are living our best lives.”

This article originally published in the July 15, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.