Michelle Obama’s final talk show appearance as first lady of the United States came in a familiar seat. Obama appeared last night on the “Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” for the third time since the show started in 2014.
Obama’s talk show farewell tour has included stops on the “Oprah Winfrey Network,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” and even Nickelodeon's “All In With Cam Newton.”
Her final appearance on Fallon included several silly gags — including Obama and Fallon writing farewell letters to President Obama, and to one another — but also serious moments.
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Speaking directly to American kids who may be “afraid about what’s to come,” Obama encouraged hopefulness in the future. “I want them to embrace the future and know that the world is getting better,” she said.
“I want our kids to move forward … with strength and with hope.”
Obama’s work with children has included several big campaigns, including: “Let’s Move,” which encouraged American children to maintain healthy, active lifestyles; “Reach Higher,” which urged students to attain a level of education above the high school level; and “Let Girls Learn,” an international program aimed at increasing education access to young girls around the world.
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She also included a powerful shout out to her mom, Marian Shields Robinson.
“I couldn’t have done this without you, Mom,” she said. “You are my role model.”
“You are an amazing woman even though you don’t think you had anything to do with me.”
Obama became tearful at the end of the show when Fallon invited supporters of the first lady to read her their own thank you notes.
“For years, you have shown our nation countless times, that through dignity, compassion, and respect, we can overcome any hardships,” one supporter told Obama.
We couldn’t agree more.