Michelle Obama Surprises 'Tonight Show' Viewers as They Record Messages to Her



Jimmy Fallon paid tribute to first lady Michelle Obama Wednesday as she made her final TV appearance before leaving the White House next week.

Read: Michelle Obama Fights Back Tears in Final Remarks as First Lady: 'I Hope I've Made You Proud'

Appearing on The Tonight Show, Mrs. Obama surprised audience members and viewers as they recorded special farewell messages to her.

As the ordinary Americans stood in front of a portrait of the first lady, they explained what she meant to them as she and Fallon watched from the next room.

Then, out of nowhere, Mrs. Obama would emerge from behind a curtain and surprise them.

Many were brought to tears, others were stunned in silence.

The first lady sat down with Fallon for an interview and also did the host’s wildly popular “Thank You Notes” segment where they pen cards of gratitude to pop culture figures.

Predictably, Mrs. Obama wrote a note to her husband, saying, "Thank you Barack for proving you’re not a lame duck, but my very own silver fox."


In his own note to the first lady, Fallon wrote: "Thank you, Michelle Obama, for bringing a whole new meaning to the right to bear arms."

After the segment, comedians Dave Chappelle and Jerry Seinfeld challenged the host and first lady to a game of catchphrase.

The show ended with Stevie Wonder singing a medley of hits to Mrs. Obama.

Watch: Woman Carries Life-Sized Cardboard Cutout of Barack Obama Everywhere She Goes