TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle Full Episode - April 21

[0:00] Yeah, from the heart of New York City it's today with Jenna [0:08] and she now we've got today a conversation with former [0:12] president plus entrepreneur Victoria back and music [0:16] superstar John. [0:28] I had to say, I like it. Hi, everybody it is Tuesday April [0:32] 21st. Here we are freezing in here. It's cold because I like [0:40] the cold it's cold outside, but we got a great show for you [0:45] today to you know we love Sandra Bullock. Yes, I Nicole [0:48] Kidman they're making headlines together the besties are back [0:52] playing the Owen sisters in the upcoming movie practical magic [0:56] to they look great. [0:57] They look amazing the trailer just dropped for the sequel to [1:00] their 1990s movie practical magic 28 years later their family [1:05] reunion continues to be which audiences take a look. [1:09] I've waited such a long time for this. [1:14] She has. [1:20] Okay, I have such and you know I'm such I have such an internal [1:52] well, I'm obsessed with this. Yeah, I'm obsessed with the [1:55] first movie I was obsessed with the book Alice Hoffman who has [1:58] written a lot of witchy sort of things over the years is one of [2:02] my favorite writers wrote a book called here on Earth which I [2:04] love so much I think it's called here on Earth somebody Google [2:07] that what about it that you love that and this book about 2 [2:13] sisters okay who are it's a lot about sister empowerment I have [2:18] a sister so Barbara and I got like 4 of them why know but I [2:22] just have one I guess 2 sisters and it was very much like our [2:26] sort of theme movie because we're we also yeah are there cats in [2:32] this I like books yeah I it's like your jam during like the [2:37] Salem witch trials I might have been one of the ones to go. [2:40] Oh my gosh because you love all the things I love all the [2:44] things but I love you don't like witchy things no I told you like I [2:46] told you I was in what grade was I in seventh eighth grade and I [2:49] was going to read my horoscope and my teacher at the time was a [2:52] friend of my mom's and I went over to read my horoscope because I [2:56] always her been in the paper yeah and I looked at Aries April 19th and [3:00] I liked it and I looked up in the swatches you know better now so to [3:04] even read the horror I was afraid of it but but now I feel like and [3:08] you know I with the we go now even still though I will be afraid the [3:12] Ouija board was going to suck I just we just you just don't mess with [3:17] that stuff I just don't mess with that stuff I just don't mess with [3:19] that stuff I just don't mess with that stuff I just don't mess with [3:23] that stuff I love wicked and I love the grimmery you know and [3:27] yeah, like not all it was what's a grimmery it's it's Cynthia [3:31] Erivo when she would do the thing out in wicked yes that was the [3:34] grimmery well then that's that's what I'm saying so I'm coming you [3:38] know you know your revo was sort of your gateway which we stop it [3:42] I think I should be open to the practical magic to yeah, it's about [3:46] female magic magic magic magic magic magic magic magic magic magic [3:52] it's about female empowerment which I think what back in the [3:56] day said of course the witches. Oh, okay, we'll see we'll go [4:00] together okay watch it I love both of them you can wear a little [4:03] hat okay speaking of what I love here's an article about ladies [4:07] according to a recent article in the New York Times older women [4:11] are in demand by younger men let clapping and you didn't join [4:18] there we go let me tell you why over the years there's so much [4:23] talk about oh when guys get a divorce they always go for the [4:26] younger woman or all guys have a bigger range with women age well [4:30] now we're not doing that anymore yeah women you have your range [4:33] too. Yeah, I like that. I do too. It's not fair that men just [4:37] get to date. That's what I'm saying they get the whole pool. Well the [4:40] dating app field, is that how you say it, field, reports that in [4:46] the last two years the number of younger men looking exclusively [4:50] only for older women has grown by 64%. 64%. Do we hear some [4:55] celebrity examples? Yes, give us some examples. Think about Cher, [4:58] she's 79 years old guys, her boyfriend Alexander, he's 39 and [5:03] they've been together for a minute. I love that. The one that is I [5:06] think quite spectacular Shakira. Yeah, you're not the same [5:10] age, not our boyfriend, loosen the illusion. He's a K. [5:15] Alfie on Emily in Paris. Yes of all the pictures we find that [5:18] where we find that but I don't know. They're all over. She's [5:24] 49. He's 33 and they seem very happy. Yes. Yeah, so you were [5:28] into this. I'm not surprised by it all. I don't know why guys [5:32] like older women. I think I mean, not well, I have no idea. [5:35] But I think probably there's like a confidence. We all know [5:38] that there that people in their 40's and 50's, 60's are much [5:42] different than they were in their 20's or 30's like [5:45] insecurities are off the window. There's a wisdom. I'm like [5:48] smiling because I feel like finally women are rewarded for [5:51] this phase in their life. Yeah, they're confident. They [5:54] know what they like to know what they don't like a lot of [5:56] these women have their own lives, their own careers, [5:58] their own success. We don't need you to do that for us. [6:00] Yeah, you know what I mean? I like it. I'm here for it. [6:03] Okay, well, we have spoken. We have a great show for y'all [6:06] today. This is big. Well, yeah, I got to sit down with [6:10] four former U.S. president as we get ready to mark 250 years [6:15] of America. [6:16] It is a fantastic interview. We're going to see a little [6:18] bit of it plus one of the biggest music stars in the world [6:21] this year. John legend, but first fashion designer and [6:25] entrepreneur Victoria Beckham is going to join us. [6:35] Okay, she is a globally respected fashion designer and [6:38] beauty mogul a wife a mom and of course a pop sensation [6:42] Victoria. [6:42] Beckham, come on out. [6:53] Beautiful, how are you? [6:55] So nice to meet you. I wore your dress today. [6:57] Oh my God, do you look amazing right here. [6:59] Hi, honey. How are you? It's so good to see you. [7:01] Hi, honey. How are you? It's so good to see you. [7:03] You get the hot pink chair. [7:04] Oh my gosh, thank you. She's so cute. [7:05] We're so happy you are here. [7:08] Thank you. Thank you for having me. [7:09] Are you kidding me? [7:10] You have so much going on right now, [7:12] which we're going to talk about in the next segment, [7:13] but thank you for joining our chat. [7:15] Thank you for having me. I know it's so fun course we [7:19] talk about this new dating trend. [7:21] Do you want to hear about it? Yes, okay, it is called [7:24] shoremance and it blends chores with romance combining [7:29] dates with everyday tasks. Okay, so I mean I'm like taking [7:33] out the trash that does not sound sexy, but walking the dog [7:37] instead of like going to fun dinners or movies you walk the [7:39] dog you go grocery shopping. [7:41] I think a lot of women feel like as opposed to me coming [7:44] home doing the dishes doing the laundry getting the kids if [7:47] you if the guy starts that first they feel like that is [7:50] the best foreplay ever because now I can enjoy you and I have [7:53] to worry about the laundry or yeah, the chores so it's [7:56] that way of shore me. [7:58] What do you think about that? [7:59] I mean, I think any tool that David Beckham can do in his [8:03] boss underwear. I'm down. [8:05] I mean, how do you feel about that? [8:08] Wait, is this for real? [8:09] Yes, okay. This is my husband. [8:11] No way. I mean, I'm saying did he was he really [8:14] in his underwear fixing the TV on behalf of America. [8:20] Thank you very much. [8:21] You're welcome. [8:22] You're welcome. [8:23] By the way, he can do the ironing in his underwear. [8:26] He can load the dishwasher in his underwear. [8:30] I'm down. [8:31] Wait, this is also a video of him doing some housework. [8:34] Should we take a look? [8:35] Yeah. [8:36] The light's broken. [8:37] Yeah. [8:41] Are you going to get out there and fix it? [8:43] I am. [8:44] I might need a ladder. [8:46] Maybe. [8:49] Looking good. [8:56] So you said change the light bulb, but before you do it, [9:10] please take off your shirt. [9:11] Absolutely. [9:12] Absolutely. [9:14] I knew I was obsessed with you. [9:16] No, that is the best. [9:17] Yeah. [9:18] I'm like, yeah. [9:19] If that's how we want to do chores, that's some choremans. [9:21] You also, I mean, I'm speechless. [9:24] Okay. [9:24] Well, that's all we got to say. [9:25] Should we talk about Kourtney Kardashian? [9:27] This is an interesting one. [9:28] Are you into PDAs? [9:30] What do you think? [9:30] I like that you just called it PDAs. [9:32] What is it? [9:32] Public, what is it? [9:34] Public displays affection. [9:35] Yes. [9:35] Do you know what I mean? [9:35] Like some couples are a lot, you know, are you one of those? [9:38] What do you think? [9:39] How would you describe you guys? [9:40] I mean, we are affectionate in public, [9:42] but myself and David really laugh a lot, [9:45] and we like to take the mickey out of each other. [9:47] So rather than being too lovey, lovey, lovey, you know, [9:50] we just like to take the mickey out of each other. [9:52] Wait, does take the mickey out of each other [9:54] means joke with each other? [9:55] Joke with each other. [9:56] Yes. [9:57] So recently, David decided to shave his head, [10:00] and the guard fell off whilst he was shaving his head, [10:03] and he gave himself the most awful haircut. [10:06] And I got the whole thing on film, [10:09] shared it on social media because, you know, [10:12] people want to see that stuff. [10:14] Right, why not. [10:15] So we like to have fun. [10:16] Well, the reason we even brought this up [10:17] is that Kourtney Kardashian and her, [10:20] and Travis. [10:20] Travis, her husband, [10:22] shared this video for her birthday, [10:24] or I guess a picture of him sucking her toes. [10:27] Yeah, okay, cool. [10:28] So there's like a carousel, [10:29] and then by the time we get to that. [10:31] Oh, yeah. [10:32] Yeah, I don't, [10:33] there's something about it, [10:35] there's something about it I can't, [10:36] I don't know that I can handle. [10:37] The thing is, she's got really pretty feet. [10:40] Yeah. [10:40] So I don't mind that. [10:41] Yeah. [10:41] I don't mind that. [10:42] She has lovely feet, so she should get them out. [10:44] That's what I think. [10:44] Okay. [10:45] And good for her if he wants to suck. [10:46] Well, there you go. [10:47] Have them all. [10:48] Do you think she sucks his toes as well? [10:50] I don't know, please. [10:53] It's relevant, ladies, it's relevant. [10:54] It is relevant, it's relevant. [10:56] I mean, you know what? [10:57] I'm sure she does. [10:59] Good for them. [10:59] And why do I know? [11:00] Just because I feel like they're the kind, [11:02] you know, and they're open about it. [11:03] They'll lick each other's cheek or, [11:04] you know what I mean? [11:05] They're just very... [11:06] Into it. [11:06] Yeah. [11:07] Good for that, good for that. [11:08] God bless. [11:09] There's something about her suck of a toe [11:10] that even the verbiage kind of like makes me feel. [11:12] Yeah, you're like caving in right now. [11:14] I don't know why. [11:14] I'm not a fetish human being. [11:17] No. [11:17] Well, she has pretty feet. [11:19] Okay, so it's fine. [11:20] Good for them. [11:20] Okay, yeah, it's good for them. [11:21] All right, should we do something we have never done before? [11:24] This is just for you. [11:24] It is time for our pink chair questionnaire. [11:28] Pink chair questionnaire, I like that. [11:29] Okay, watch it. [11:30] So in this pink clothing file, [11:33] everything's pink. [11:34] I know, it's cute. [11:35] Okay. [11:36] Okay. [11:37] We have some questions for you. [11:38] You ready? [11:39] Go ahead. [11:40] Ready? [11:40] Okay, the first one. [11:41] Do you have a nickname that no one knows? [11:44] Posh? [11:46] But everyone knows that, but it's so fabulous. [11:48] I don't want to know that Posh is like as good as it gets. [11:51] It's as good as it gets. [11:52] I'm very proud of that nickname. [11:54] Did you know? [11:54] I mean, you've always known that's a good one. [11:56] It's a great one. [11:57] Yes. [11:57] Okay, okay, what about this? [11:59] Tell us your TV show, Guilty Pleasure. [12:01] Oh, I mean, I don't feel guilty about it at all, [12:04] but have you seen Margot's Got Money Troubles? [12:07] Oh, I've read the book. [12:08] I read the book, and the book is wild. [12:10] It is so good. [12:13] Myself and David are obsessed with it. [12:15] Speaking about sucking toes, there's an Only Fans involved. [12:18] Yeah, that's so good. [12:19] That's good, that's good, that's good. [12:21] I know, it's all one continuous change. [12:22] Okay. [12:23] Okay, the next one. [12:24] Name the song you can't stop playing right now. [12:27] Oh, my gosh. [12:27] Cruz, my son, has a record out right now, Waste Your Pain. [12:32] It is so good. [12:33] Let's hear, let's hear a little bit. [12:34] My pain on you. [12:36] I love it. [12:38] Yeah. [12:38] What does that feel like when you hear him, [12:40] when you have something like this? [12:42] Do you know, I feel so proud because Cruz is a proper musician. [12:45] You know, he writes his own songs. [12:47] He plays so many instruments. [12:49] He's got a great band, and he's really learned his craft. [12:53] He's really passionate. [12:54] He's done it from, you know, it's been a grassroots approach. [12:57] He's actually going to be on tour in America in a few months. [13:01] Will you go and kind of sing along? [13:04] Yeah, we went to all of the shows in London, [13:06] but you know, there's small gigs. [13:07] He's really doing this from, from, from a grassroots approach. [13:10] And we're proud of him. [13:11] He's a real artist. [13:12] He really is. [13:13] I'm proud of him. [13:14] And that comes a lot from a, a, a Spice Girl. [13:16] I know. [13:16] All right, finally, what's your go-to cocktail? [13:19] Dirty martini. [13:21] Me too. [13:21] I was just about to say, you guys get each other on that one. [13:24] I see in our future a dirty martini. [13:26] Oh, stop. [13:27] Oh, I'm going to come back. [13:34] This is like a dirty martini at Tim 17. [13:38] Okay, so here's the thing. [13:39] Full disclosure, I went through a phase where, [13:41] between your documentary and David's, [13:43] it was just like on loop in our house. [13:45] Wow. [13:45] Oh, that's good. [13:46] Well, this is as salty as the ocean. [13:48] Yeah, is this, is that what you want? [13:51] No, no, no. [13:51] Too dirty, I bet it's too dirty for you. [13:53] Because I'm not a dirty, dirty. [13:54] No, this is very dirty. [13:55] It's very good. [13:56] I was just going to say, is this what we do in America? [13:58] Oh, yes. [13:58] Because even on European standards, this is early. [14:01] But I'm liking it. [14:04] I'm liking it. [14:05] But that's as salty as like the ocean. [14:07] It's delicious. [14:09] Okay, stick around while we drink this drink. [14:11] We're going to chat all about her family, [14:13] her new fashion collab, and more right after this. [14:16] It's so good. [14:17] Oh, my God. [14:24] And we are back with fashion designer, [14:26] beauty entrepreneur, and pop icon, Victoria Beckham. [14:30] We are so happy you are here. [14:32] You were just named one of Times 100 most influential people. [14:37] We were just talking about this incredible legacy. [14:40] You know, you've worked really hard for a lot of years. [14:43] What does that feel like? [14:44] It was such a lovely surprise to be on the list amongst such inspiring people. [14:51] You know, I was in the Spice Girls for four years. [14:54] But I've been in fashion, building my fashion and beauty brand for over 20 years. [15:00] And I'm so proud of everything that I have achieved. [15:03] And so to be recognized for that and for what I've achieved in the industry is so exciting. [15:10] And for Anna to have written what she did about me was another lovely surprise. [15:15] You know, when I'm sitting here thinking about it, you really put it in perspective when you talk about Spice Girls for 40 and then the longevity of your fashion career. [15:21] For four, yeah. [15:22] So you just celebrated your 52nd birthday? [15:25] Yes. [15:26] So tell me, what is the key to a successful Victoria Beckham party and how did it go down? [15:31] What did you do to celebrate? [15:32] Do you know, I'm not really one for big parties. [15:34] I just want family. [15:35] I want friends. [15:37] We were in Miami. [15:38] So what better place to be? [15:41] You know, the sun was shining and it was really just family and friends. [15:45] It was so lovely. [15:46] Do you feel like you're in a good place at 52? [15:47] I feel like I'm in a really good place. [15:50] I think the great thing about getting older, you genuinely care less about what other people think, right? [15:56] You accept who you are. [15:58] You embrace who you are. [15:59] You make the best of what you've got. [16:01] Yeah. [16:02] You know, you look in the mirror and you go, okay, you know, you look at what's okay as opposed to focusing on what you don't like. [16:09] It feels like such a liberating feeling to not pick yourself apart. [16:14] Totally. [16:14] You have had a pretty public challenging year. [16:18] We've talked about it on this show. [16:20] How do you get through the tough times? [16:23] You know, myself and David, you know, we're so close and we have incredible people around us. [16:30] We're very close to my parents and David's parents. [16:34] And, you know, we support each other through everything that we do, you know. [16:39] So, yeah. [16:39] You have him. [16:40] You guys have had, was it been 30 years now that you guys have been together? [16:43] Can you believe that? [16:44] You know, I told you, I don't want to seem like a crazy fangirl, but I told you, I really think when you guys did those documentaries, it allowed people to see you guys in a different way. [16:52] And for me, it allowed me to put in perspective how long you guys have been together. [16:57] And so, with the ups and the downs, you guys have weathered a lot together. [17:00] Yeah. [17:01] Yeah. [17:01] And we've grown together. [17:02] Yeah. [17:03] And that's where I feel so, I feel so blessed. [17:06] We really have grown together. [17:08] We support each other. [17:09] We've both got big dreams. [17:11] We're both very, very ambitious and we support each other. [17:14] I want him to be the best version of himself. [17:18] And that's what he wants for me. [17:19] We always put our children first. [17:21] We love our children so much and have always really focused on protecting our children. [17:29] But we laugh a lot. [17:30] Sure. [17:30] David Beckham is really super funny. [17:33] Well, so were you. [17:34] So were you. [17:35] Yeah. [17:35] Thank you. [17:36] People are often surprised. [17:37] And so I think it's about working hard, taking what we do very seriously. [17:43] Yes. [17:43] But having fun too. [17:44] Having fun as well. [17:46] Yeah. [17:46] Fun is so underrated. [17:48] We have to talk about the Spice Girls even though it was such a small slice of what you've [17:53] done. [17:53] But there's been rumors and even your son sort of got in on the joke. [17:57] Oh, that's right. [17:58] He got us. [17:58] I think it was like an April Fool's thing where he said there'd be a reunion. [18:02] Look at this. [18:03] Will there ever be one? [18:05] You know, I mean, gosh, Cruz is hilarious on social media. [18:09] I think it's so incredible that people want it so bad. [18:12] Yeah. [18:13] What do you think that says? [18:14] I think that we have incredible fans. [18:17] You know, I think that I'm so proud of everything we achieved. [18:20] I'm still so close to all the girls. [18:22] They all posted for my birthday and were texting me on my birthday and sending flowers. [18:26] And I think the impact that we had then that is still relevant now. [18:31] Yes. [18:32] And, you know, I think that that's. [18:33] Is it a scheduling thing? [18:35] Is it a personality thing? [18:36] Is it a, oh, we don't want to talk about all these things because we had a lot and it [18:39] needs to stay with us? [18:39] Well, for a reunion and or a documentary has also been in the works. [18:43] Yeah. [18:43] And I think that for me now it's about, you know, I have passed my musical genes, if [18:49] you like, down to Cruz. [18:51] And I think to see the younger generation and look at him and see how passionate he has. [18:56] But, you know, we have such amazing fans and I'm so thankful and grateful of this incredible [19:02] journey and the fact that our messaging is still relevant now. [19:05] Still. [19:05] Yes. [19:06] And, you know, what I do now, it's empowering women, but through fashion and beauty. [19:13] That's, that's my North Star. [19:14] Well, that's the perfect segue because we're really excited. [19:19] You have a drop at Gap. [19:20] I do. [19:21] Which means all of us can have a little Victoria Beckham in our life. [19:25] So good. [19:26] Why is this the perfect time for that collaboration? [19:28] You know, I was so excited when the Gap approached me because I remember going to the Gap shopping [19:33] with my mom and my sister when I was little, you know, and the Gap is such an iconic American [19:40] brand. [19:42] And so to have me. [19:43] Well, these are the looks. [19:43] These are a couple of the looks. [19:45] Um, and I think, you know, this is a capsule collection of what I consider to be the perfect [19:50] day wardrobe for every woman out there. [19:53] Perfect denim, perfect t-shirts, outerwear, shirting, tracksuits, and it really feels like [19:59] the perfect marrying of the two brands. [20:02] You know, I've been very honest with myself and my brand DNA here with this collaboration, [20:07] you know, a strong focus on every single detail. [20:11] If you're looking for the perfect white t-shirt, a simple, simple piece, it has been so considered [20:17] and is the perfect shape. [20:19] I mean, let's go to the Gap. [20:20] Can we go to the Gap? [20:21] It's great. [20:21] I love it. [20:21] I think sometimes girls like girls and we want to impress the girls that we admire. [20:25] And so you're Posh Spice, right? [20:27] So if I know you made the white t-shirt and I go to the Gap and I put on this white t-shirt, [20:30] I'm doing something right. [20:32] It makes me feel good. [20:33] Thank you. [20:33] So now I need to talk about your makeup. [20:35] I'm obsessed with your makeup. [20:37] Did you keep talking about the eyes? [20:38] All of it. [20:39] But the eyes, the eye shadow, the eye pencils, but you just have dropped two new products [20:44] that have gone viral. [20:46] Yeah. [20:46] I mean, beauty, I love what I do and I'm so passionate about the product. [20:55] It's all about the product. [20:57] You know, it's not just about putting my name on anything. [21:00] And the formulas are fantastic. [21:03] And I love to do these videos so I can show people how I use them. [21:08] And I think it's really important to change up your beauty look, even if it's a subtle [21:12] little thing, like try a different color eyeliner. [21:15] I'm not a makeup artist, I'm obviously not a model. [21:18] So I like to show people how I do it, to encourage people to try new things so they don't stay [21:25] in a beauty rut. [21:26] But the products speak for themselves. [21:29] They spend so much time perfecting the formulas. [21:32] I don't put anything out there until I believe it truly is best in class. [21:38] I never want to settle. [21:39] I want to offer everyone what ultimately I'm looking for that I can't find. [21:45] And, you know, I expect a lot from my product. [21:48] And that's what my customer deserves. [21:50] Well, you're the loveliest, happy late birthday, come back for dirty martinis. [21:56] Oh, my gosh. [21:57] The dirtiest martini I've ever had in my life. [21:59] Yeah, my eyes are swollen. [22:00] But we'll drink them another time, too. [22:02] We'll do it. [22:03] I love this box. [22:04] Anytime. [22:04] We deserve it. [22:06] We do. [22:06] We deserve it. [22:07] But what we love is that the Victoria Beckham Gap collab drops this Friday, April 24th. [22:13] I hope it doesn't sell out before I can buy it. [22:16] You know it, don't you? [22:17] It's going to go like that. [22:18] Well, okay. [22:18] I hope so. [22:19] It's great. [22:20] No question. [22:21] Okay, up next, Jenna's exclusive one-on-one conversations with four former presidents [22:26] about 250 years of America and the future of our democracy. [22:30] That's right after this. [22:32] Back now with a Today exclusive part of NBC News' Common Ground Initiative. [22:40] It's aimed at bringing people together in search of solutions to challenges that we face across [22:45] the country. [22:46] So Jenna sat down with each of the former, four former now U.S. presidents, for their reflections [22:51] ahead of America's 250th anniversary in July. [22:53] Yeah. [22:54] The former presidents were gathered in Philadelphia at a private event hosted by the History Channel. [22:59] It is called History Talks and it's in partnership with our parent company, Comcast. [23:04] I caught up with each of them on the sidelines of the event. [23:07] How George Walker Bush do solemnly swear. [23:12] It's always special to be in the presence of one former president. [23:16] Hi, dad. [23:17] But it was a true honor to sit down with four former living presidents in one day. [23:24] What's it like to be part of the ex-president club? [23:27] Well, it can be boring when we're all together. [23:30] No, it's an honor. [23:33] It's a great camaraderie because we all shared something special. [23:36] Four of the 45 presidents who have led our country for the last 250 years. [23:41] What were you most grateful for about the experience of being president of the United States? [23:47] Well, it just was the greatest honor of my life, or any American's life. [23:52] The idea that a kid from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who were poor, but were a middle class guy, [23:59] who used to have a stutter, could end up being president of the United States, is just kind [24:07] of a story of what America's all about. [24:09] I am grateful that I had a chance to do what President Kennedy said everyone should want [24:16] to do, to make maximum use of the talents God gave me, and to do it in a way that benefited [24:25] other people. [24:28] ... have centuries. [24:29] That's one small spin. [24:30] ... a nation-tested. [24:32] I have a dream! [24:34] ... a democracy that endures. [24:37] You ran on a simple, yet effective principle, which was hope. [24:41] Yeah. [24:42] Do you still feel that hope in our country? [24:45] I do. [24:46] The first time I was on the national stage and I talked about hope. [24:49] Hope in the face of difficulty. [24:53] I reminded people, hope is not blind optimism. [24:56] The audacity of hope. [24:58] Hope arises in the face of difficulty, in the face of uncertainty. [25:05] And obviously we're going through some uncertain times. [25:08] But when you look at the sweep of American history, we've gone through rough patches. [25:12] And we tend to come out on the other side of them stronger. [25:18] Family members can't sit across from one another and debate. [25:21] Well, we can. [25:22] We can. [25:23] Yeah. [25:24] And we have. [25:25] Right. [25:26] For a long time. [25:27] Yes, we have. [25:28] But what can help us bring us back to each other? [25:31] Well, I think one of the things about the 250th is a chance to focus on the common good. [25:37] And the wonders of this country, the history of this country. [25:40] The fact that you can worship freely without government telling you how to worship. [25:44] The fact that you can speak in the public square without being jailed. [25:47] The fact that we have a press that's willing to hold the power to account. [25:51] I mean, these are all things that should and generally do unite us. [25:54] But the beauty about democracy, Jen, is that it's self-correcting. [25:58] And one of the key things I'm going to try to do during the 250 is encourage citizens to participate in the process. [26:07] And if you don't like what's going on, vote. [26:09] And that's how America heals itself. [26:11] I'm not sure we're as divided as we portrayed. [26:17] I'm sure there's anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of the people who are on the one end here. [26:24] But I think the vast majority of people are coming around and conclude that, you know, those things, they don't even think about it directly, but the safeguards of the Constitution. [26:35] In 1993, when you became president, my grandfather left you a letter. [26:43] What did that letter mean to you? [26:45] It meant the world because it basically said, we had a tough campaign. [26:51] It's over. [26:53] You won. [26:54] And I wish you well because you're all our president now. [27:00] And your success is America's and every American's. [27:06] So I really wish you well. [27:08] I kept that letter close at hand for years after I read it. [27:13] I was just so touched by it. [27:16] And then when your dad was elected, I wrote him a letter that said basically the same thing. [27:22] What do you think we can learn from that in this moment in history? [27:27] That America is bigger than anybody's personal hopes and dreams. [27:34] For the American people, sometimes it's the smallest gestures that have the biggest impact. [27:40] I get a little antsy, as I'm sure you know. [27:43] And I was sitting next to Michelle. [27:45] That's what happened. [27:46] That's who I sit next to at funerals. [27:47] And I was kind of teasing her and stuff. [27:49] And I slipped her an Altoid. [27:51] Not as a joke, but I thought she might want one. [27:56] And I got in the car afterwards and she said, you're trending. [27:59] I didn't know what trending meant. [28:03] And it turns out the country is starved to see a white center-right Republican and an [28:10] African-American center-left Democrat having fun and being able to converse, not as political [28:17] figures, but as citizens. [28:19] And I intend to continue to try to do that. [28:22] I will be with the former presidents at President Obama's library opening. [28:28] And I'm looking forward to seeing everybody, having fun, and then going home. [28:32] Having a mint for Mrs. Obama? [28:34] You know, I'm thinking about, I don't want to surprise, break the surprise. [28:38] I'm thinking about bringing a case of Altoids. [28:40] Oh, a case. [28:41] Yeah, yeah. [28:42] It's symbolic. [28:44] Our next chapter filled with the same passion and determination on all sides to hold close [28:51] to the principles that built America and made her strong. [28:56] I'm confident that we're going to have another 250-year run that's going to be just as good. [29:00] I would hope people will take a look at our history and realize we're an imperfect nation, [29:05] trying to be more perfect, but be optimistic about the future of the country. [29:10] Beautiful conversation, Jenna. [29:17] It made me feel better about the state of our country. [29:19] And the History Tucks event always features, or traditionally features, former presidents discussing [29:26] their legacies, history. [29:28] We should also note that President Trump is also working with the History Channel [29:32] on an America 250 project, which they will announce more on later this spring. [29:37] I know behind the scenes how hard you worked on those interviews. [29:39] Thank you. [29:40] Do you feel okay? [29:41] Well, of course. [29:42] Of course. [29:43] I like that. [29:44] I love that we could share all that. [29:45] It's pretty amazing. [29:46] Yeah. [29:47] And pretty historic to talk to us. [29:48] I was just about to say. [29:49] All of the four remaining living presidents. [29:51] Yeah, that was great. [29:52] Okay, up next, another treat this morning. [29:54] We are on a roll, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner, John Legend. [29:58] Right after this. [29:59] Back now with one of the biggest music stars in the world. [30:05] John Legend, whose imprint is out with a new book. [30:07] It's called The Well-Educated Child, which we'll talk about in just a minute. [30:11] But first, let's catch up for just a bit. [30:13] So happy to have you here. [30:14] Hi. [30:15] I'm so happy to be back. [30:16] Yes, yes. [30:17] We're happy you're here. [30:18] On the other side this time. [30:19] You know, I got to audition for a co-host once or twice. [30:23] Thanks for playing, John. [30:24] Thanks for playing. [30:25] They said we'll call you, don't call us. [30:28] That is not true. [30:30] We had the best time. [30:31] Okay, season 29 of The Voice just wrapped. [30:33] Yes. [30:34] It was historic. [30:35] Historic. [30:36] Tell us about it. [30:37] Well, Alexia Jay won the show and she's an African-American woman, which we haven't had an African-American woman in the history of the show. [30:45] This is 29 seasons in when the show and we were just so excited for her. [30:51] A few of my African-American female contestants that have been on my team reached out to me and were just like so grateful and relieved that this barrier has finally been broken. [31:02] And she deserved it and I'm so happy for her. [31:06] Wait, we have to talk about Luna because we hear, you know, behind the scenes she had a little involvement on the show. [31:11] We hear she's already an entertainer. [31:12] Look at this. [31:13] She's blogging. [31:14] Look at her. [31:15] She was my guest at the show we were taping last summer and she got drafted to become a roving correspondent. [31:25] I love it. [31:26] So she was going around the set asking me questions, Adam, Kelly, some of the crew. [31:31] So cute. [31:32] We should have had her. [31:33] Island. [31:34] Yes. [31:35] Blue division, that's cute. [31:36] She's working on her, you know, her guest co-hosting. [31:39] There you go. [31:40] She'll come soon. [31:41] So you and Chrissy have been together for so long. [31:43] Yes. [31:44] Adore her here. [31:45] Yes. [31:46] Over 12 years now we've been married and we met almost 20 years ago. [31:50] Isn't that crazy? [31:51] Isn't that wild? [31:52] It's been a long time. [31:53] I love that. [31:54] She recently shared that she's sober again. [31:55] Yes. [31:56] And I know you're so proud of her. [31:57] I am so proud of her. [31:58] You know, it's a journey with sobriety and everybody's different. [32:02] Yeah. [32:03] Everybody has different tolerances and she's just decided that she's better without drinking. [32:07] And I'm so supportive of her decision to do that and she's doing great. [32:12] Awesome. [32:13] And we're going to talk about another powerful project. [32:15] I think it's so fantastic. [32:16] Jen and I were reading the book this morning. [32:17] It's a beautiful book about education. [32:19] We're going to talk more about it. [32:20] But what kind of student were you? [32:22] Oh, I was a nerdy student. [32:25] I was homeschooled for quite a while by my mother. [32:30] And I was a spelling bee champ in my hometown. [32:35] Let's go. [32:36] When my grandfather wanted to give me a gift that he knew I would love. [32:40] He got me a big fat Webster's dictionary. [32:42] And he was right. [32:43] I loved it. [32:44] You know what? [32:45] It's worked out for sure. [32:46] I was just about to say. [32:47] I think we all were. [32:48] We were all into reading and books. [32:49] Yes. [32:50] It's a reading and spelling and math all of it. [32:54] Yeah, I was a nerd. [32:55] It worked out. [32:56] You're going to stick around because we're going to have a really fascinating conversation [32:59] about your new book that you're publishing with author Deborah Kenny right after this. [33:04] We are back now with music superstar John Legend, who also founded Get Lifted Books, which published the new book, The Well-Educated Child by author Deborah Kenny. [33:18] I love that. [33:19] We're so happy y'all are here to talk about this book. [33:22] Deborah, define what well-educated means to you. [33:26] I mean, I know there's a lot of different things that we'll talk through. [33:29] But generally, are we doing it right? [33:32] We're really not. [33:33] And I'll give you an example. [33:35] When we talk about Well-Educated in the book, we're talking about quality thinking, agency, and ethical purpose. [33:41] So the first example I'll give you is quality thinking. [33:44] When you walk into a typical classroom, very often the students are doing worksheets or they're on a computer. [33:51] What they need to be doing is reading, writing, and engaging in discourse and learning how to have productive arguments. [33:59] That's probably the most important thing. [34:01] You know what? [34:02] I think it's because the teachers and, you know, sometimes parents, we want something tangible. [34:06] And so you're like, what were you doing? [34:07] Y'all were just in there talking all day? [34:08] You know, so they feel pressure to have something tangible. [34:11] Another one I think is interesting you talk about is agency. [34:13] What does agency in education look like? [34:15] Right. [34:16] What that means is that students are self-driven. [34:19] And so instead of, as a parent or as a teacher, what you want is to not motivate the child but to figure out how are you going to get them to be self-motivated. [34:32] Which is so important and benign neglect of the 80s and 90s was very helpful because we were all self-motivated because we had to be, you know? [34:42] We were raised to be more independent. [34:43] Right? [34:44] Yes. [34:45] There was no helicopter. [34:46] Yeah. [34:47] Do your homework. [34:48] It was on us to do it. [34:49] Right? [34:50] Right. [34:51] Let's talk about ethical purpose. [34:52] I love this part so much of what your thesis is. [34:55] Talk about how we can foster that in our children. [34:58] Yeah. [34:59] One of the things that I think we need our children to understand is that you're given this one short life. [35:04] What are you going to do with your time on this earth? [35:06] And when we take our children seriously, they will take themselves seriously. [35:11] And asking them questions about, you know, what are your dreams? [35:14] What can you discern as your calling, as your purpose in life? [35:19] And how are you going to contribute to the greater good? [35:21] Yeah. [35:22] I was going to say it doesn't have to be so, like, black and white. [35:25] I feel like at our house, it's like, it's not like, oh, how'd you score that basket? [35:28] It's like, what are you doing that lights you up, you know? [35:31] Yes. [35:32] And I love that because I think there's so much pressure on kids these days to be the star athlete, to be, you know, to get into the right college. [35:39] And that feels like it's not helping either. [35:41] Congratulations on this book. [35:42] This is one of those I think we should all pick up and read, you know? [35:45] I love it because I think it's great for parents. [35:48] And, you know, a lot of Deborah's approach has been how do we build the right kind of school? [35:53] Which is what y'all have done. [35:55] You and the board. [35:56] How do we support our teachers in the right way? [35:58] But in so many ways, I think this is a great manual for parenting. [36:01] Yes. [36:02] Yeah, it really is. [36:03] Because it helps us think about what we want from school, but also just what we aspire to for our kids. [36:08] Exactly. [36:09] Wait, before we go, John, I'm freaking out. [36:11] Cats, the jellicle ball. [36:12] Yes. [36:13] Which I want to go see. [36:14] I'm going to be a judge. [36:15] I'm going to be a judge, too. [36:16] Yes. [36:17] You're going to love it. [36:18] It's so much fun. [36:19] Do you love cats? [36:20] It's so much fun. [36:21] Are you a cat person? [36:22] I was, no, I'm not a cat person. [36:24] We're a dog, we're a dog family, we're a dog family. [36:27] But it was just nominated for an award, so congratulations. [36:30] Yes, yes. [36:31] Everybody says it's so good. [36:32] It's one of them. [36:33] We have to go, though. [36:34] You guys check out Debra's book, the well-educated child. [36:37] You got it. [36:38] Back after this. [36:41] Tomorrow, you guys, the new love interest from the devil [36:47] worst product to Patrick Bramble will be here. [36:50] Have a great day. [36:51] We'll see you later. [36:52] Bye. [36:53] Bye everyone. [36:55] You guys, thanks for watching. [36:58] I know. [36:59] Come join us for all the fun every weekday on NBC. [37:01] Yeah, and don't forget to take us along when you're on the go. [37:04] Follow the Today with Jenna and Chanel podcast on Apple Podcasts, [37:07] Spotify, or wherever you listen.