Kamala Harris’ stepkids Cole and Ella have opened up in a rare interview, revealing exactly what it’s like having the inspirational US Vice President as their stepmother. Their father Doug Emhoff married Harris in 2014 after meeting on a blind date. Now Harris has made history, becoming the first female, first Black American, and first South Asian American to be Vice President.
In a recent interview ahead of Inauguration Day, her stepchildren opened up about their family life with Harris and Emhoff and how their dynamic works so well.
Who are Cole and Ella Emhoff?
Cole and Ella Emhoff are the children of Harris' husband Doug Emhoff and his ex-wife, Kerstin. Kerstin posted pictures of her and her children attending the inauguration to support the new administration, leading many to praise Harris and Emhoff’s so-called “blended family”.
During the interview with The New York Times, Cole reportedly spoke of how surreal the last few months have been for him, explaining: "It’s weird to turn on CNN and see my dad. I’m like, “Wait, you don’t belong there! But I guess you do?” It feels completely unprecedented for us because we haven’t really been around politics our entire life. We’re still kind of getting used to it.”
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Whilst Ella echoed his sentiment, stating: “When we went to see them for Election Day, it really hit me, like, Whoa. Seeing them is a lot different now. There’s a lot more people.”
“I think the idea of sharing our parents with the world is kind of insane,” she continued. “Like, it’s a really cool thing to wrap your head around — because you get to share all the great things — but it’s also like, Huh?!”
What is Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff’s family like?
Ella went on to reveal that growing up in a family of strong personalities and lawyers, "it was nice to have so many different, really strong opinions” and explained, “We always joke that whenever we bring our friends over for the first time they’re going to get grilled.”
Whilst Cole remarked on how they “don’t do well with small talk” and prefer to get down to business.
“I was a senior when they got together,” Cole disclosed. “And I remember I saw a tweet that someone did. It was a photo of Kamala at the Kavanaugh hearing, and someone tweeted, like, “I’d hate to have to look at that face and explain why I’m late for curfew.” And I was thinking, “I’ve literally had to do that.”
Ella described the couple as “strong” and just wanting them to have a “plan”, whilst Cole also admitted that Harris and Doug are “almost vomit-inducingly cute and coupley”. Ella added that “the rest of the world gets to see it on social media, but we live that.”
When asked about whether they thought of their family as different growing up, Ella went on to say: “It’s a cool dynamic we all have. And I think it is a good model to show that you can have this and this isn’t weird. Like it’s not weird to be friends or have a good relationship with your ex. It’s actually very healthy.”
Cole and Ella supported Harris on Inauguration Day on Wednesday.
