Add “Grammy winner” toMichelle Obama‘s long list of accomplishments.
The former first lady won her first Grammy Award on Sundayfor best spoken word album, for the audiobook recording ofher bestselling memoir,Becoming. Obama, 56, beat out actor John Waters and the recording ofBeastie Boys Book, about the iconic band.
Obama wasn’t at the show to collect her award, but presenter Esperanza Spalding, who won this year for best jazz vocal album, said she would “gladly accept on her behalf.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’sfull Grammy Awards coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Obama, one of PEOPLE’s“People of the Year”in 2019, is the second first lady to win a Grammy.
Former Secretary of StateHillary Clintonalsotook home a Grammyin the same category for her book,It Takes a Village, in 1997, while husbandBill Clintonwas president.
And Obama is also the second Grammy winner in the family — husband andformer President Barack Obama has two Grammy Awardsin the spoken word album category for his memoirsDreams from My FatherandThe Audacity of Hope, won in 2006 and 2008.
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While this is Mrs. Obama’s first Grammy nomination and win, an audiobook version of her bookAmerican Grownwas nominated for best spoken word album in 2012. However, she did not do the recording, and the Grammy went to Janis Ian’s albumSociety’s Child.
The former first lady is now on her way to EGOT-ing (also known as winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony) with her achievement. And it’s not out of reach — she and President Obama have a production company, Higher Ground Productions, whichjust earned its first Academy Award nominationfor the Netflix documentaryAmerican Factory.
The 62ndGrammy Awardsare airing live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.
source: people.com
