Michelle Obama brought her signature charm and wit to The Jennifer Hudson Show this week. The former First Lady opened up about everything from holiday traditions to life with her grown-up daughters and her new workbook, Overcoming, a companion to The Light We Carry.
Family First: Life After the White House
Obama gave fans a glimpse into her current family life. She shared updates about her husband, Barack Obama, and their two daughters, Sasha and Malia. “He’s still working too hard,” Michelle joked about her husband. Barack remains busy with the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. “But I think that’s something he will always do,” she admitted.
The girls are no longer kids. “They’re women now, living on their own,” Michelle said proudly. Sasha and Malia even live together. “I’ve loved every phase of raising my daughters,” she added. Watching them grow up has been her greatest joy.
Holiday Traditions: Sun, Sand, and Family
The holidays still hold a special place in the Obamas’ hearts. Michelle called Christmas her favorite time of the year. Surprisingly, not much has changed for her family since leaving the White House. Thanksgiving still happens “on the mainland” with her extended family. Then, the Obamas escape to Hawaii for Christmas.
“We’re going to head to the island for a little sun and to try to unwind,” Michelle revealed with a smile. She also joked about the perks of marrying Barack: “That’s why you gotta pick your husband right. He got a lot cuter when I found out he was from Hawaii.”
When it comes to holiday shopping, Barack turns out to be the trickiest member of the Obama family. “He’s just a boy,” Michelle teased. “He doesn’t do much. He golfs, and there’s only so many golf balls you can get a dude. He’s already got the clubs. I can’t get him another golf shirt. He’s really hard, and he doesn’t want anything.”
Barack, it seems, keeps things simple. “He’s one of these ‘Just a nice letter’ guys,” Michelle said, rolling her eyes playfully. “And he means it. So he’s really hard to shop for.” She added one more jab, saying she wants to buy him nice clothes because “he’s also cheap.”
Honoring Her Mother and Celebrating New Projects
Later in the interview, Michelle shared a heartfelt moment about her late mother. She thanked Jennifer Hudson for performing “Amazing Grace” at her funeral, a memory she clearly cherishes.
Michelle also used the appearance to promote her latest projects. She discussed her recent Netflix series, The Later Daters. The show, produced by the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, celebrates older adults finding love and adventure.
No Politics, Just Positivity
Despite the timing, Michelle stayed far away from politics during the conversation. She avoided any mention of the recent presidential election. Previously, Michelle endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and lent her support to the campaign.
After Donald Trump’s victory, the Obamas released a gracious joint statement. It read, “In a country as big and diverse as ours, we won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. But progress requires us to extend good faith and grace — even to people with whom we deeply disagree. That’s how we’ve come this far, and it’s how we’ll keep building a country that is more fair and more just, more equal and more free.”
A Warm and Relatable Michelle Obama
Michelle’s interview with Jennifer Hudson reminded fans why they love her. She showed warmth, humor, and plenty of family pride. From teasing Barack about his golf obsession to honoring her mom’s memory, she kept it real. Her stories about Sasha and Malia offered a touching look at motherhood after the White House.
For now, the Obamas look forward to another family Christmas in sunny Hawaii. Michelle, as always, keeps it simple: family, love, and laughter come first.
