Olympic darling Gabby Douglas, fresh out of the London Games, landed on Jay Leno’s couch Tuesday night — right next to First Lady Michelle Obama. Ah, the spoils of being a gold medalist.
Douglas, who won the gymnastics all-around gold medal, told Leno on The Tonight Show that she plans to be in the mix at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
“Oh, definitely,” she said. Douglas showed her youthful, perky personality. She readily showed Leno her medals and said one of her thrills was to meet meet Kate Middleton.
“It was definitely an exciting experience,” said Douglas. “Aly (Raisman) told her she liked her fashion, and she was like, `Well, I love your leos (leotards).”
Douglas also shared her first celebratory meal after winning her medals: a McDonald sandwich, which drew a keen line from the First Lady, who started the “Let’s Move” initiative for healthy eating.
“You’re setting me back, Gabby,” Obama said.
Douglas smiled hard and remained poised as she admitted to Leno that her life has changed dramatically since the Olympics. “I think it’s very different, and when I mean `different,’ it’s in a better way,” Douglas told Leno. “I mean, I never thought I would be doing the show with the First Lady, or even you, Jay.”
Sitting with Leno was just a prelude to Douglas’ next appearance – with Oprah Winfrey on “Oprah’s Next Chapter.” The interview is set to air on August 26 at 8 p.m. on OWN.
The First Lady seemed to enjoy sharing the spotlight with Douglas. She talked about the now-famous “Kiss Cam” at a basketball game when she and the President pressed their lips together with an entire arena watching on the big screen above
“I had just walked in and sat down, and I just saw my face on the Jumbotron,” she said. “And I’m still a little embarrassed. . . I didn’t see the `Kiss Cam’ part.” When she did, she shook her head when the camera came around and was booed by the crowd, something daughter Malia didn’t like. “She was just disgusted with us,” the First Lady said. According to Obama, Malia arranged for them to have another try and that time, her parents delivered.
Leno also asked what her husband has done that has made her the most proud and she said, “Truly, health reform, including protection for those with pre-existing conditions.”
