Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her former POTUS husband have been carving out a nice media empire. Still, this time, she is stepping into video podcasting with the debut…
Live Nation Urban and When We All Vote have joined forces to bring voter registration to this year’s Roots Picnic, amplifying the cultural and musical experience curated by GRAMMY® Award-winning hip-hop luminaries, The Roots. The partnership also introduces a sweepstakes offering two free VIP tickets to witness the powerhouse lineup of the Roots Picnic.
When We All Vote will register voters on-site during the two-day festival at The Mann in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, on June 1-2, 2024. This collaboration follows their successful partnership in 2020, which saw over 35,000 individuals start or complete the voter registration process.
“Bringing voting to the culture is one of When We All Vote’s superpowers. If you’re showing up at Roots Picnic, we want to ensure you’re showing up at the ballot box,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote. “When We All Vote has big goals for 2024 to close the race and age voting gaps and we are proud to call The Roots and Live Nation Urban our partners in this work.”
The initiative targets eligible Black voters between 21 and 35 and aims to engage underrepresented communities in the political process. Michelle Obama, Founder and Co-Chair of When We All Vote, previously co-hosted the virtual Roots Picnic, aligning with the shared goal of educating and inspiring communities to exercise their right to vote.
The Roots Picnic lineup features an array of generational voices, including headliners Lil Wayne, Jill Scott, and André 3000, alongside Nas, Tyla, Smino, and more. This collaboration underscores the importance of nonpartisan efforts like When We All Vote, especially as fewer young people identify with political parties. Through voter registration, mobilization, and cultural engagement, When We All Vote strives to close the race and age voting gap, ensuring every voice is heard in shaping the future of democracy.
In the world of celebrity couples, there are often power dynamics that emerge, with one partner’s fame shining brighter than the other’s. From DDGand Halle Bailey toBeyoncé andJay-Z, these women celebrities have managed to overshadow their significant others in terms of popularity and influence.
Celebrity Cache
DDG & Halle Bailey
When social media personality DDG started dating A-list singing and acting star Halle Bailey, it caused quite a stir. Many have noted that while DDG has built a successful career on social media, Bailey’s star power and talent far surpass his own.
A$AP Rocky & Rihanna
While A$AP Rocky had established himself as a brand before dating Rihanna, their relationship catapulted his image to new heights. Additionally, Rihanna’s billionaire status and their collaborative efforts, such as A$AP Rocky’s recent collaboration with Rihanna’s Fenty line, have also showcased them being a dynamic duo.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are considered one of pop culture’s ultimate power couples. However, there is a common sentiment that Queen Bey’s celebrity status outshines her husband’s.
Even in a joking manner, President Obama shared a joke with Jay-Z in 2017 during Jay-Z’s induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where Obama delivered a speech on his behalf. In the speech, Barack mentioned:
“Although he’s going to have me beat once those twins show up. And let’s face it, we both have wives that are significantly more popular than we are.”
Michelle & Barack Obama
Moving beyond entertainment, the popularity of former First Lady Michelle Obama, often overshadowed that of her husband, former President Barack Obama. Michelle consistently received higher popularity ratings, even being named the most admired woman in the world in 2019.
Cardi B & Offset
Cardi B andOffset‘s tumultuous romance has been the subject of much attention. Despite Offset’s accomplishments with theMigos, Cardi B has become more marketable and gained greater exposure in her career, making her appear to be the most popular of the two.
Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance
In the realm of acting, Angela Bassett‘s popularity has often eclipsed that of her husband Courtney B. Vance. While both are esteemed actors, Bassett has carved out a more prominent name for herself in the industry.
India & Durk
India Royale andLil Durk have been making headlines with their high-profile relationship. However, it is widely acknowledged that India has achieved greater popularity outside of her relationship with Durk, establishing her own identity.
Stephen & Ayesha Curry
NBA star Stephen Curryand his wife Ayesha Curryhave both made names for themselves in their respective fields. However, Ayesha has garnered attention outside of her husband’s sporting world with her endeavors, cementing her status as a notable figure.
Can Celeb Relationships Survive The Limelight?
This conversation about women celebrities overshadowing their husbands brings up another topic within the realm of celebrity couples. It raises the question of whether these relationships can survive under the constant scrutiny of the limelight, as they are always the subject of media fascination.
It looks like Michelle Obama can add a backup singer to her resume as well. This past week, the former first lady and her husband, 44th United States President Barack Obama, were in Spain for Bruce Springsteen’s European tour. Michelle hopped on stage along with actress Kate Capshaw, and they sang to the tune “Glory Days”’. The former first lady even showed off her tambourine skills.
At one point, Springsteen shared the spotlight with Michelle as all eyes were on the two enjoying the medley. Of course, her husband was cheering her on. The Obamas and Springsteen have known to be friends for years. Bruce Springsteen backed Barack when he was running for President.
During his presidential term, Obama awarded Springsteen the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The two even launched a podcast, Renegades: Born in the USA.
The queen of pop culture, Beyonce Knowles Carter, released her first single from her new highly anticipated album, Act I, “Renaissance.” The single titled “Break My Soul” is a song to let loose and get you moving. Queen B has social media in a chokehold preparing everyone for the big album drop next month. First […]
Former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama are working on Blackout to tell Black love stories.
Higher Ground, founded by the Obamas, is teaming up with Temple Hill Entertainment for a project called Blackout. The programming will be developed concurrently as a TV series and film adaptation.
They’ve enlisted six authors to write six love stories for the project to be featured on Netflix.
It’s based on the perspective of 12 teens during a summer power outage in New York City. Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty that Remains) and Nicola Yoon (Everything, Everything) have been tapped to pen the stories.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Blackout becomes the Obamas’ latest project for Netflix, joining features American Factory, Becoming, Crip Camp, kids-focused entry Ada Twist and We the People, with several others in various stages of development.
The Obamas inked a Netflix producing deal in May 2018. The former first couple set an expansive first slate of film and TV projects in April 2019.
The description on Netflix describes Blackout as :
“Six prolific authors have written six Black love stories all taking place during a power outage on a sweltering summer night.
From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos.
When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
An ex-couple must bury their rivalry and walk the length of Manhattan to make it back to Brooklyn in time to kick off a block party. Two girls search for a lost photograph and find something more. Two boys trapped on the subway come face-to-face with their feelings. A pair of best friends stuck in the NYPL and surrounded by love stories figure out if there’s one in their future. A trio of kids on a senior trip take over a double-decker tour bus as they try to have a little fun … and work out their messy love triangle. Two strangers debate the philosophical nature of identity and wonder if they can find something else between them.”
There’s no word on when the project will be available to stream.
Who better to develop a series on Black love stories than our forever President and First Lady? Will you be watching? Leave your comments below.
Michelle Obama has always been passionate about ensuring kids eat quality and healthy meals and now she’s bringing that passion to Netflix.
According to the announcement, our forever First Lady is launching her new children’s show, “Waffles + Mochi,” to Netflix this spring and it stars a couple of adorable puppets — and one very familiar face–her’s. Sharing the news via an announcement via Instagram, Michelle Obama revealed that she will be prominently featured in the upcoming food-themed adventure series alongside her puppet friends, Waffles, who is a blue puppet with her namesake breakfast sticking out of fuzzy white hair, and her pal Mochi is a smiling little pink rice cake; who go on adventures to cook and try new food.
“I’ve got some big news for you! This is something I’ve been working on for a while now, and I’m so excited to finally be able to tell you all about it. Allow me to introduce two new friends of mine: Their names are Waffles and Mochi,” Michelle Obama wrote. “On March 16, we’ll be launching a new children’s show on @Netflix called Waffles + Mochi. It’s all about good food: discovering it, cooking it, and of course, eating it. ”
The series also plans to highlight Waffle andMochi’s journey as they try to become chefs by highlighting famous chefs, cooking new and healthy recipes, and showcasing the importance of cooking with healthy ingredients.
“These two will take us on adventures all around the world to explore new ingredients and try out new recipes,” Michelle Obama continued. “Kids will love it, but I know that adults will also get plenty of laughs—and some tips for the kitchen.”
The theme of the show closely aligns with Obama’s “Let’s Move!” public health campaign, which was aimed at curbing childhood obesity. As one of her signature platforms, she tried to lead initiatives that helped families get access to healthy, affordable foods and increase their physical activities, a point Mrs. Obama pointed out in her reveal.
“In many ways, this show is an extension of my work to support children’s health as First Lady—and to be quite honest, I wish a program like this had been around when my girls were young,” Michelle Obama wrote. “I also know that this is a difficult time for so many families, and I’m hopeful that this delightful show can bring a bit of light and laughter to homes around the world. That’s why as part of the show’s commitment to helping families during the pandemic.”
Our forever President Barack Obama sent “best wishes” to Donald and Melania Trump after the news broke that they tested positive for COVID-19.
“Let me start by the way, by just stating that we’re in the midst of a big political fight. And we take that very seriously,” Obama reportedly said during a virtual fundraiser with Democratic vice-presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris for the Biden-Harris campaign, according to CNN. . “We also want to extend our best wishes to the President of the United States, the first lady … Michelle and I are hopeful that they and others who have been affected by Covid-19 around the country are getting the care that they need, that they are going to be on the path to a speedy recovery.”
Obama also shared the positive message on Twitter.
Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.
Barack Obama sent his sentiments after Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to treat “mild symptoms.”
“I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support,” Trump said. “I think I’m doing very well but we’re going to make sure that things work out,” he added. “The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much. I appreciate it. I will never forget it.”
Many people think that he’s lying and using the virus to sway elections in his favor.
Beyoncé was honored with the 2020 BET Humanitarian Award for her work in the community that was presented by Michelle Obama. Last year’s recipient was the late great Nipsey Hussle.
Queen Bey’s efforts that were highlighted include creating a Mobile Testing Relief Campaign with her mother, Tina Knowles, to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign gives out free testing to the people in her hometown Houston, Texas specifically for black residents who are mainly impacted throughout the U.S. Also, BeyGOOD teamed up with Twitter CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey to raise six million to provide wellness services throughout Houston, New York, New Orleans, and Detroit.
With her speech, she made it known that we need to go out there and vote. As brothers and sisters, we have to inspire change. Peep the speech below.
The Roots Picnic may not be able to take a physical form this year but it will not be completely gone as a virtual version will hit online Saturday, June 27. The picnic now will combine with Michelle Obama and her When We All Vote nonprofit.
The picnic will have performances from H.E.R., Lil Baby, SZA, Roddy Ricch, Snoh Aalegra, G Herbo, Musiq Soulchild, Earthgang, Polo G and D-Nice. Appearances during the event will be Janelle Monáe, Traces Elliss Ross, Kerry Washington, Chris Paul, Tom Hanks and more.
The show will be hosted by Mrs. Obama, Questlove, and Black Thought.