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Michelle Obama Surprises Supporters on “Tonight Show”
This is What’s Trending Today.
Barack and Michelle Obama are saying their goodbyes as their time in the White House comes to an end.
The President and First Lady have been making their final speeches and television appearances.
Michelle Obama recently did a farewell interview with television host Oprah Winfrey. Barack Obama gave his farewell speech to the American people in Chicago on Tuesday night.
And on Wednesday, Michelle Obama had some fun with late night television host Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show.”
One part of the show the first lady took part in is called “Thank-You Notes.” It is a popular segment. In it, Fallon usually writes humorous “Thank-You Notes” to celebrities, people in the news or strange things he notices about life.
For example, he once wrote a thank-you note to the word moist “for being the worst word, ever.”
Fallon and Obama took turns writing messages. Fallon wrote “Thank you, First Lady Michelle Obama, for bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘the right to bear arms.’”
Obama is known for showing off her strong arms by wearing sleeveless dresses.
But in a more serious segment, the show’s producers asked regular people to describe what Michelle Obama means to them.
The people looked at a painting of the first lady as they spoke. One woman said, “because of you, I know that my race does not define who I am, or what I can accomplish.”
Another person said, “Thank you for making me a more confident woman.”
One man said Michelle Obama reminded him of the best teachers he ever had.
Another man thanked Obama for inspiring his young daughter to eat more vegetables, and for always encouraging kindness.
After each person finished speaking, they got a huge surprise. Michelle Obama herself stepped out from behind a curtain. She hugged them and thanked them for their kind words.
The participants were surprised and emotional. Some even cried on the first lady’s shoulder.
One woman exclaimed, “This is not what I was expecting. I was eating pizza bites yesterday in my bed and now I’m meeting the first lady!”
Another participant turned out to be a former classmate of Obama’s. The two attended Princeton University together.
The video came out on Facebook and YouTube early Thursday morning. It has already been played over 11 million times.
Viewers described the video as “an amazing segment,” “really heart-warming.”
Some wrote that they watched with tears rolling down their cheeks.
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
What did you think of Michelle Obama’s appearance on the show? Let us know in the comments section.
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Words in This Story
segment – n. a part of something larger
moist – adj. slightly or barely wet
bear – v. to carry or move something
accomplish – v. to succeed in doing something
farewell – adj. done when someone is leaving, ending a career, etc.
confident - adj. having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something
inspire - v. to make (someone) want to do something
curtain - n. a piece of cloth that hangs down and can be used to cover the window (or doorway)