Gayle King interviews Michelle Obama about The Light We Carry tour.

Michelle Obama continues to set an example for us all, even though it’s been five years since she filled her official role as First Lady. Since Obama last called at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, she has published her memoir Getting upand now he is back in the world of publishing again with The light we carrywhich came out earlier this month.

In tandem with her new release, Obama also announced she’s embarking on a book tour — and our editor-in-chief, Gayle King, joined her at The Met Philadelphia on Friday, November 18. Gayle’s mission for the Philadelphia tour stop? To make sure it is something but boring – they both delivered. Between laughs and dancing, Gayle and Obama discussed showing kindness in a sometimes dark world and how the former FLOTUS got to the point where “superiority is now a habit.”

Obama presented Gale and all of the tour’s moderators with a personalized varsity jacket to thank her for leading the conversation. Gail’s jacket was personal to her because it had her initials on it – which is a favorite feature of any Gail gift. Mrs. Obama helped her try it on before they went to the stage for the show.

Nothing was off limits, and their conversation touched on a variety of topics, from the solemnity of American politics to that of Bravo Real hosts franchise – which Obama obviously knows a thing or two about! Read some of their highlights below.

Obama never wore braids to the White House

Like every decision during her husband’s presidency, the former first lady’s hair was the subject of public scrutiny, which is why she didn’t wear braids — until now. Obama said: “I would wear braids to the White House, but they went crazy when I had bangs. There were stories about bangs. ‘What does it mean? Why did she change her hair?” Obama believes that if she had indeed worn braids in the House of Commons, there would have been media stories.

But now Obama credits young women with encouraging her to embrace her natural hair. She said: “This generation of young girls are owning their hair and making room for acceptance of who they are.”

Former President Trump Announces He Will Run Again in 2024 – And Obama Has Advice For The American People

Obama also reflected on the Trump administration, noting that the pandemic could have been handled better. “It shouldn’t have been that bad. But that’s what happens when you don’t vote and you want tax cuts more than you want sanity in the White House,” Obama said. “Just keep that in mind because obviously you’re going to get another chance.” Her advice to the public? “Vote. Vote, vote and vote and vote.”

Obama mentioned how easy it is to become disillusioned with the state of politics and how acting impulsively on your emotions can lead to a “low attitude.” She went on to say, “We’ve had the low-ranking commander at the post for quite some time. Interestingly, no one felt well. No one was feeling well. But what it is is just meanness.

And if you’re wondering if Obama would consider entering politics, the answer is no. “People can hear me better outside of politics,” Obama replied.

Obama picked up a unique hobby during the pandemic that led to a gift for Gail’s grandson, Luca

During the pandemic, Obama joked that she needed to get away from her family to calm her mind, so she learned to knit. She shared, “Knitting became a tool for me. It put my mind at ease in a way I needed. It was meditative. It was almost like faith, because when you turn off your mind and let your hands do the work, there’s something enlightening about it.” So far, she’s knitted a turtleneck sweater for President Obama, halter tops for her daughters, and a cute sweater for Gail’s grandson, Luca, who was a surprise gift at Kirby’s holiday.

President Obama gave Mrs. Obama a choice whether to run for office in 2008 and she almost said no

Obama explained that she was initially afraid to leave the comfortable life she had in Chicago when her husband ran for office — and in her book, she explores the idea that she became “comfortably scared.” What finally made her change her mind? “I didn’t want to look at my kids now and make them think, My father could have done something amazing, but he didn’t because my mother was afraidObama told Gale. “I didn’t want to leave that legacy. What happens when you learn to live in this comfortable fear? You get to the other side, and often that’s where the growth and opportunity and evolution is.” We’re glad she persevered despite the fear.

The marriage between her and President Obama is not 50-50

Obama revealed that she and Barack never tried to be each other everything in life. She compares marriage to an abacus that cannot be changed over time. Sometimes it’s 20-80, other times 70-30. “I’m not mad at my husband, but I tell people there were 10 years when I couldn’t stand my husband, which for 30 years, you can take those chances,” Obama said. Gail then shared a funny story: “I believed in 50-50 so much that when I won $24 in office pool during the day, I went home and gave my ex-husband $12.50.” Oh Gail!

Sasha and Malia are now roommates

Obama told the audience that if their children don’t get along now, she guarantees they will one day because that’s what happened to her daughters, Malia, 24, and Sasha, 21, who now live together. “One of the funnest things is when you see your grown children start to make their own home. They have this apartment together,” Obama said. “I’m FaceTiming with Sasha and Malia, she has the Swiffer thing going on the mop. She’s holding it in her hand and I’m like, ‘Wait, Sasha. Malia, what are you doing? She’s like, “I’m pre-dust.” I said to myself, “No need to pre-powder. Have you ever heard of a bet? She said, “Tell me more about this bet.” But she said, “See what about the dust, Mom, you wipe the dust one day and it comes back the next day.” And I said, “Yeah, that’s the tricky business with the dust , but with Pledge, you pick it up.’ So it’s just fun to watch them take care of their stuff better than yours.”

Yes, when they fall low, she still goes high

Gayle told Obama this on a recent episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Candy Burris told one of her co-workers, “I’m not Michelle Obama. When you go low, I go down with you.” Has Obama’s mind changed? The answer, fortunately, is no. “I get the rage and the impatience, and being high doesn’t mean losing that impatience,” Obama explained. “It’s not about denying rage. It’s not about complacency. What I’m talking about is that you have to combine anger with reason. When I think high, I think about, what do I want to say? What is my ultimate goal? Because I can do two things. I can sit in my anger and feel good in the moment, but it really only helps me saying the worst things. We cannot live low. It does not help our souls.”