The little girl who stood absolutely transfixed before the portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama has met (and boogied) with her hero, days after a photograph of the kid’s awestruck admiration went viral.
ICYMI, Parker Curry, 2, was taken by her mum Jessica Curry to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. to have a squiz at the new paintings of Michelle and Barack Obama. When they came across Amy Sherald’s vision of Michelle, this happened:
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Parker’s mum said “I was trying to get her to turn around so I could take a picture, but she wouldn’t cooperate. She just wanted to stare at it. She was fascinated.”
The image made its way to Sherald herself, who reminisced on the moment in her childhood when she encountered African American representation in painting.
Now, the whole thing has looped back around to the painting’s subject. Obama has shared an absolutely blessed video of the pair meeting in person, and having a miniature dance party to Taylor Swift.
“Keep on dreaming big for yourself,” Obama wrote in the caption, “and maybe one day I’ll proudly look up at a portrait of you!”
Parker, I’m so glad I had the chance to meet you today (and for the dance party)! Keep on dreaming big for yourself…and maybe one day I’ll proudly look up at a portrait of you! pic.twitter.com/faUVTsYWun
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) March 6, 2018
Sherald’s painting and Kehinde Wiley’s rendition of the former president had already been hailed as creative departures from the staid images of old, and we sincerely doubt a portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes is going to inspire an adorable boogie.
