‘Pretty extraordinary’: The Australian in charge of the Obama portraits

In between Barack Obama saying the portrait of him was "pretty sharp" and Michelle Obama praising the artist who painted her as "so fly", there was a flash of platinum blonde hair and the sound of a warm Australian accent on the stage of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. in Washington this week was not only a momentous milestone for artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, who couldn't hold back tears as they spoke of their difficult roads to becoming the first African-American artists to paint the official portraits.

Portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama depict ‘troubled thinker’

Barack and Michelle Obama's official portraits were unveiled this week at the Smithsonian National Portrait Museum in Washington DC, where they will hang along with portraits of every past US president. Former US President Obama described his portrait by Kehinde Wiley - "known for his Old Master-style depiction of African-Americans," says the BBC - as "pretty sharp" The former first lady chose Amy Sherald, an artist from Baltimore known for painting life-size portraits of black Americans, to paint her portrait.

Obamas’ official portraits are unveiled; prepare for foliage

Former President Barack Obama stands in front of his official portrait by Artist Kehinde Wiley at its unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Washington. Former President Barack Obama stands in front of his official portrait by Artist Kehinde Wiley at its unveiling at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, in Washington.

Encourage young girls to pursue opportunities, Michelle Obama tells…

It's time for a revolution in the way women are treated in our societies, from the youngest of girls to the budding professionals to experienced business leaders being considered or passed over for corporate boards and executive posts. That was the message former first lady Michelle Obama brought to Montreal for one of the few appearances she has made since she and former U.S. president Barack Obama left the White House just over a year ago.

POLL: Barack Obama is most admired man for 10th year in a row

Former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remain the most admired man and woman in the United States -- a 10-year trend for Obama and 16 years running for Clinton. Gallup's December poll found 17% of respondents named Obama the man they admired most, a dip from 22% of respondents saying the same last year.

Harry and Barry

According to CNN , British officials fear the political consequences if Prince Harry and his bride-to-be invite Barack and Michelle Obama, with whom they are friends, to their wedding, but not President Trump. I don't know whether these officials have any reason to expect political consequences in that event, but if they do, perhaps they should also worry about the interview Harry conducted with Barack Obama today on BBC radio.

Obama beats out Trump as most admired man in 2017, new poll finds

Former first Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama are introduced at the inaugural Obama Foundation Summit on October 31, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Former President Barack Obama topped President Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton edged out Michelle Obama in Gallup's annual poll of Americans on the most admired man and woman.

Prince Harry interviews former President Obama

Kensington Palace announced in a tweet on Sunday morning that the interview will air on BBC Radio 4 when Harry acts as guest editor on Dec. 27. The interview focuses on Prince Harry and the former president's shared interest in building platforms for the next generation of young leaders. According to Kensington Palace, the interview includes President Obama's memories of the day he left office and his hopes for his post-presidential life.

Michelle Obama and Joe Biden in Toronto for separate speaking engagements

Two prominent figures in the U.S. Democratic Party will be north of the border today to attend two separate speaking engagements. Former first lady Michelle Obama will be in Toronto this morning to speak about education and equality for girls and women around the world at an event hosted by the Economic Club of Canada and Plan International Canada.

Ivanka Trump: Malia Obama should be ‘off limits’ to media

Ivanka Trump is condemning recent tabloid coverage of President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia, saying the college student deserves privacy and ought to be "OFF limits." NEW YORK - Ivanka Trump is condemning recent tabloid coverage of President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia, saying the college student deserves privacy and ought to be "OFF limits."

Chance The Rapper & Nas Perform At Obama Foundation Summit

Attendees at The Obama Foundation Summit were treated to an array of performances at the conclusion of the event that was put on by former president Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. With the two-day leadership summit taking place in Chicago, Chance The Rapper was among those to grace the stage on Wednesday .