At the end of last year, Sasha and Malia Obama made it to Time magazine’s “Most Influential Teens of 2014” list. But Sasha, 13, and Malia, 16, are not often in the public arena, and that’s thanks to their parents, Barack and Michelle Obama.
Although Time may think the teens are influential, their mother doesn’t think they are. During an appearance on Live! With Kelly and Michael, Michelle Obama joked about her daughters’ appearance on the list.
“I don’t know why—they’re not influential; they just live here!” she joked during the special broadcast from the White House. “They have done nothing to gain any influence.”
The first lady doesn’t even know whether her daughters know about the honor. “I don’t think they even realize that they’re influential. I don’t think anybody showed them that article, so don’t mention it!”
Obama also told Kelly and Michael that Malia is now a licensed driver, so drivers in the nation’s capital should watch out. “I’ve got a driver—a 16-year-old driving around,” she said, mirroring the experience of so many other parents of teenagers. “Look out, D.C.
“She always has security around,” Obama continued. “But in order for her to learn how to drive, she had to drive on her own. So once she was legally permitted to drive on her own, she gets in her car … ”
Obama also joked about Malia asking her how to park in a public lot. “I barely know now, too, so I have to check with other sources,” the first lady said.
No one ever said the first lady doesn’t keep it real.