Michelle Obama is opening up about the unique parenting pressures she faced while raising her daughters, Malia and Sasha, in the global spotlight. In a candid conversation on Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa, the former First Lady described their teenage years as a “nightmare” to manage—largely due to the challenge of keeping their normal adolescent experiences out of the tabloids.
“Every weekend was a nightmare,” Michelle recalled. “We had to make sure that them being regular teenagers didn’t wind up on Page Six.”
With Malia and Sasha growing up under constant surveillance—including that of the Secret Service—Michelle said it took “a lot of intentionality” to maintain a sense of normalcy. She described the logistical hurdles of coordinating something as simple as a playdate, which required background checks and home inspections.
Now in their twenties, both daughters are forging their own paths. Malia even debuted as a director under her first and middle name, Malia Ann, to create space from the Obama legacy.
Michelle says she’s focused on helping them balance the weight of their last name with humility and independence: “You don’t want them to think this is about them.”
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