Amanda Gorman, the youngest poet to speak at an inauguration in U.S. history, is sharing what she overheard former First Lady Michelle Obama say to her husband, former President Barack Obama.
Gorman, 22, said during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres that she was close to the Obama’s and overheard Michelle Obama telling her husband to stop getting so close to people.
“I was there, and I remember Michelle Obama being close, and she kind of kept yelling at Barack, ‘Stop hugging people, stop getting close to people,'” Gorman recalled. “And then when I was done, she kind of pushed him out the way and gave me just the biggest, warmest Michelle Obama.”
Gorman also said that she has met Michelle Obama a few times but had not met Barack Obama before Joe Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
“Whenever I meet Michelle, I hope that she forgets meeting me because I just want a do-over. I just want a clean slate. I just want to do it right this time,” Gorman said.
She continued, “But she always remembers, and she’s always great. And when I hug her, I’m so short my forehead is, like, in her belly button, and it’s the best.”
During the inauguration, Gorman recited her poem “The Hill We Climb,” in which she said, “Being American is more than a pride we inherit. It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.”
She added, “We will not march back to what was. We move to what shall be, a country that is bruised, but whole. Benevolent, but bold. Fierce and free.”
In case you missed it:
WATCH: Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, recites a poem on unity in the U.S. at #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/3sIv7DBpla
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 20, 2021
Gorman, the U.S. first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate, will recite an original poem before the Super Bowl LV, which will honor three honorary captains who “have exemplified the essence of leadership, each in their own way” during the coronavirus pandemic, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
