A video of Kamala Harris’ daughter-in-law reacting to her father’s speech at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday has been shared on social media.
Model Ella Emhoff, the 25-year-old daughter of Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff and film producer Kerstin Emhoff, has been the center of increased attention since the vice president announced her intention to run for president.
Harris reportedly has a close relationship with her stepchildren, including Cole Emhoff, 20, who calls her “Momala.” The vice president has previously expressed disappointment at having to miss her stepdaughter’s graduation because of her commitments in Washington.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke at the DNC on Tuesday, where he spoke of his love for Harris and how proud he is of her.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“I love you so much,” he said during his speech in Chicago. “I’m so proud of how you’ve gone above and beyond for us. But that’s who she is. Wherever we need her, however we need her, Kamala is there.”
As the speech came to a close and Doug Emhoff left the stage, video footage showed Ella Emhoff gazing adoringly at her father from the audience, clutching her chest, before hugging her grandmother, Barbara Emhoff. At one point, she held up a “Doug” sign as a thank you.
Featuring the classic 1990s track by the New Radicals You get what you give Serving as the soundtrack after the speech, a visibly proud Ella Emhoff was shown smiling broadly before laughing and covering her mouth.
The 15-second video was shared on X, formerly Twitter, by the political account The Recount. “Ella Emhoff is clearly touched by her father’s DNC speech,” the caption reads.
In his speech, attorney Doug Emhoff, who met Harris through then-client Chrisette Hudlin, said, “In 2013, I was in a contentious meeting with a client. We resolved the issue, and at the end of the meeting, the now-satisfied client offered to set up a blind date.”
“For generations, people have wondered when to call the person they’re invited with. No one ever suggested 8:30,” he continued. “I got Kamala’s voicemail, and I started going crazy: ‘Hey, it’s Doug. I’m on my way to a morning meeting. It’s Doug again.’”
Doug Emhoff has spoken of the embarrassment he felt, trying to walk back his remarks. Harris, however, kept the voicemail and played it to her husband every anniversary. The two will celebrate their 10th anniversary Thursday, when Harris speaks at the DNC.
From a professional perspective, the second man told the crowd of Harris supporters: “She shows you what we already know: She is ready to lead. She will be a great president that we will all be proud of.”
Harris entered the race for the White House in July after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, and she is surging in the polls in her runoff with former President Donald Trump.
Images of Ella Emhoff at the DNC have gone viral since the convention began Monday. She also voiced her approval of singer Charli XCX’s viral social media post endorsing former California Sen. Harris.
Ella Emhoff signed with IMG Models after Biden’s inauguration in 2021. The model has modeled for many high-end and popular brands, including Mulberry, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Simone Rocha, Calvin Klein, Miu Miu, Lacoste, Stella McCartney and Proenza Schouler.
In a The New York Times In an interview after Biden and Harris won the 2020 election, Emhoff described the relationship between his parents and stepmother as positive.
“The three of them communicate really well. They’re really a unit, like a three-person parenting team. It’s really cool,” she told the publication.
The vice president’s blended family has consistently supported her despite attacks from Republicans. After a video surfaced of Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, calling Harris and other members of the Democratic Party “childless cat ladies,” her daughter-in-law fired back.
“How can you be ‘childless’ when you have adorable kids like Cole and I?” Emhoff said in an Instagram post. “I love all three of my parents.”
Emhoff’s mother also weighed in on the matter, saying in a statement: “For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has co-parented with Doug and me. She is loving, caring, fiercely protective and always there. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in our midst.”
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