Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, took the stage Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention ahead of her stepmother, or “Momala,” for an emotional tribute and rallying support.
The 25-year-old model and entertainer was all smiles as she was joined on stage by the vice president’s niece, Meena Harris, and goddaughter Helena Hudlin.
Her appearance comes on the fourth night of the convention, when the Democratic Party introduces Harris to the American people as its presidential candidate before she formally accepts the presidential nomination.
They called the 59-year-old vice president, whom they know on a personal level, an “extraordinary woman.”
Ella Emhoff (right) along with Meena Harris (center) and Helena Hudlin (left) speaking at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday
“Kamala came into my life when I was 14, which is a very easy time for a teenager, as you know,” Emhoff said.
“Like many young people, I didn’t always understand what I was feeling, but no matter what, Kamala was there.”
“She was patient, caring and always took me seriously,” Emhoff said. “She never stopped listening to me and she won’t stop listening to all of us.”
The tattooed Emhoff, dressed in a white and gray dress and with her hair slicked back, lit up the Internet with her appearance on stage at the convention.
Ella Emhoff, 25, set the Internet alight when she appeared at the Democratic National Convention to share her experience with her stepmother, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Ella Emhoff shared how she met her stepmother, whom she refers to as ‘Momala’ at the Democratic National Convention and said the vice president will never stop listening to “all of us.”
‘Ella Emhoff’s dress just won the #DNCConvention2024,’ one user wrote on X.
“Ella Emhoff will be a fashion icon,” wrote another.
“They forced Ella Emhoff to wear a dress for this,” joked one X user of the artist who tends to opt for more hipster looks. “Oh my god, Kamala Harris wants power.”
Emhoff is no stranger to the attention.
She joined her stepmother and father, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, at several political events over the years, including the inauguration in 2021.
As a Brooklyn-based model and artist, she has appeared in multiple major fashion campaigns and on the red carpet at the Met Gala.
At the convention, Emhoff spoke about what he believes his stepmother will strive to accomplish as president.
“She’s fighting for social justice, health justice, environmental justice and she’s not alone, we’re all in this fight together,” Emhoff said.
Ella Emhoff with Meena Harris and Helena Hudlin
Helena Hudlin, Meena Harris and Ella Emhoff praised Vice President Harris as an “extraordinary woman”
The convention has been a family affair for the Harris-Emhoff family.
The second gentleman gave a speech on the second night of the convention on Tuesday.
Before speaking, Harris’ 30-year-old stepson and Ella’s brother, Cole, narrated a video about his father.
The video was produced by Emhoff’s ex-wife and mother of Ella and Cole, Kerstin Emhoff, who was also in Chicago this week.
All week long, Ella Emhoff has been on hand to cheer up her family with a series of fashionable outfits that have been the talk of the Internet.
Ella Emhoff wearing a Harris-Walz hat during the first day of the Democratic National Convention
Ella Emhoff holds a sign that says “Doug” as she cheers on her father, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, who spoke on the second night of the Democratic National Convention.
Ella Emhoff at the United Center on Tuesday with her mother Kerstin Emhoff
In her own remarks Thursday, Meena Harris, daughter of the vice president’s sister Maya, said the vice president “led me, she’s now guiding my own children, and I know she will lead our country forward.”
Hudlin spoke of how Harris talks about making a difference and “giving your whole heart.”