Why Malia Obama was left tearful during family moment at Obama Presidential Center opening

Malia Obama made a rare public appearance on June 18 as she joined her sister, Sasha, to support their parents Michelle and Barack Obama for the Obama Presidential Center opening. 

The family stepped out in Chicago for the special occasion, which included performances from big names including John Legend, Bono, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Hudson. 

During one memorable moment, Michelle took the stage to pay tribute to Barack and her family, causing Malia to wipe away tears. 

The former First Lady spoke of her pride for her daughters, who will always be her “babies”, before going on list all of Barack’s accomplishments. 

She said: “You told me all those years ago that you couldn’t promise me the world, but you could promise me an interesting life, and of course you outdid yourself and managed to give me both.” 

Praising Barack’s dedication and strength, she went on to say: “Not once did you let it harden you. Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence, your stubborn optimism and unflinching courage, your dazzling brilliance and unpretentious decency, your ferocious work ethic and absolutely unshakable moral fiber.” 

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In Barack’s speech later in the ceremony, he told the audience that Michelle had refused to let him look at her speech. “She did me wrong,” he said. “She wouldn’t let me see her speech, she knew she was going to mess me up, and she did it anyway.” He went on to add: “She’s always made me better and I could not be more grateful.” 

Barack and Michelle raised their daughters in Chicago before moving to Washington D.C. when Barack became president in 2009. The center features a museum, which shares the story of the couple, “their historic presidency, and stories of people and events that influenced their continued legacy.” It also boasts public spaces, a new library, a basketball court, and dining options. 

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Ahead of the ceremony, Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, said in a press release: “This Grand Opening ceremony will be unlike any other — filled with music, performances, and hope. 

“The Grand Opening Ceremony will reflect a spirit of inspiration and joy, with a big boost from the performers who are sharing their talent with us. We hope to inspire people everywhere to believe in their power to bring change home.” 

While Michelle and Barack have always wanted to keep their daughters largely out of the spotlight, the sisters frequently attended high-profile events during Barack’s time in office. 

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Now that they are older and both living in LA, they are enjoying their lives as private citizens, but their parents occasionally share updates on them during interviews. 

The sisters are keen to make their own way in the world without using their parents’ name either, so much so that Malia – who is a budding filmmaker – goes by the name Malia Ann at work. 

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Her mom recently spoke with Steven Spielberg on her IMO podcast, which she hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, revealing that Malia, 27, will “never invite us to anything that she does,” when it comes to her film work. 

As Steven was sharing how the set of his latest project, seemingly the sci-fi epic Disclosure Day, was “the first set Barack ever visited,” he noted: “Even though your daughter is a filmmaker, Malia. So I feel bad I scooped Malia.” 

“She doesn’t care. She will never invite us to anything that she does. You know, she doesn’t want us around her stuff,” Michelle then confessed.