Barack and Michelle Obama have appeared on the cover of a black women’s lifestyle magazine in the US, with intimate photos of the loving couple setting the internet abuzz.
America’s first couple posed for a series of romantic shots for the October issue of Essence, in which they spoke about their legacy.
However, it was the photos in which people were most interested, with many commenting on their evident love for each other and praising the First Lady’s physique.
“The one and absolute only thing I like about the Obamas is their love for each other,” Twitter user Jaimee Turner commented.
Another, Nichole, added: “Yes, black love. Yes, Obama love. And with all respect, black body love.”
During her time in the White House, Mrs Obama has been an outspoken advocate of fitness and healthy eating, including posting a video that showed her kickboxing.
The First Lady, who also appeared on the front cover of Variety magazine last month, said the couple were proudest of their impact on African-American children.
Michelle Obama gotta be the first FLOTUS in FLOTUS history to look more beautiful as time progressed.
— Black Phillip (@LesIzMore) September 8, 2016
“I think when it comes to black children, it means something for them to have spent most of their life seeing the family in the White House look like them,” she said.
“It matters. All the future work that Barack talked about, I think over these last few years, we’ve kind of knocked the ceiling of limitation off the roofs of many young kids; imaginations of what’s possible for them.
“And as a mother, I wouldn’t underestimate how important that is, having that vision that you can really do anything – not because somebody told you, but because you’ve seen and experienced it. I think that will be a lasting impact on our kids.”
I would buy a “Michelle Obama’s 365 Days of Squats” DVD.
The disclaimer on the box would read: “This is mostly genes. But you can try, boo”
— Bim Adewunmi (@bimadew) September 8, 2016
Looking back at his almost eight years in office, Mr Obama said he is proud of his legacy, but admitted much still needed to be done by his successor, either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump.
“I can unequivocally say that America is better off now than we were when we came into office. By almost every economic measure, we’re better off,” he said. “But having said that, we still have a lot of work to do.”
I hate to read “black love” refering to Barack Obama and Michelle, it is just LOVE ????
— Nina Herrera (@imarinaherrera) September 9, 2016
Mr Obama also said he would remember the time he spent with his family in the White House. “Some of my fondest memories of the White House are just being with the girls on a summer night and walking the dogs around the South Lawn, talking and listening to them, trying to get Bo [the dog] to move because sometimes it’s hot,” he said.
On being brainy: “I loved getting As… I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world”
On success: “Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own”
On young people: “A lot of young people think they’re invincible, but the truth is young people are knuckleheads”
On marriage: “Marriage is hard work… even if you’re married to your soulmate”
On motherhood: “My most important title is still ‘mom-in-chief’. My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the centre of my world”
On race: “As a black man, Barack can get shot going to the gas station”
On health: “We can’t lie around on the couch eating French fries and candy bars and expect our kids to eat carrots and run around the block”
