First Lady Michelle Obama Guests on Disney Channel's JESSIE Today

First Lady Michelle Obama guest stars in "Jessie," the hit comedy series for kids and tweens, in a storyline that raises awareness about the service, sacrifice and needs of military families. The episode, part of Disney's long legacy of support for the U.S. Armed Services and the White House's Joining Forces initiative, premieres TODAY, MAY 16 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. A Public Service Announcement also featuring Mrs. Obama accompanies the episode.

The series follows 22 year-old Jessie Prescott who, after spending her childhood on military bases, is now a New York City nanny to four high-spirited children - Emma, Ravi, Luke and Zuri (three of whom were adopted from different parts of the world) - and their giant pet lizard, Mrs. Kipling.

In the episode, "From the White House to Our House," Jessie and Zuri set out to host a birthday party for Taylor, a new friend who's sorely missing her mother, a deployed member of the military. When Taylor decides she'd rather not celebrate anything without her mother, Zuri enlists the help of Mrs. Obama.

Starring in the episode are Debby Ryan as Jessie, Kevin Chamberlin as Bertram, Peyton List as Emma, Karan Brar as Ravi, Cameron Boyce as Luke and Skai Jackson as Zuri. Guest starring in the episode are Kyla-Drew Simmons as Taylor Harris, Yvette Saunders as Sargent Harris, Vernee Watson-Johnson as Mrs. Harris and Lauren Pritchard as Coach Penny

Last year, First Lady Michelle Obama was a keynote speaker at Disney's Veterans Institute, an event which leveraged the success of Disney's Heroes Work Here commitment to hire veterans and encourage greater employment opportunities for military men and women transitioning into civilian life.

The First Lady has made supporting military families and U.S. troops a top priority. In 2011, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces, an initiative dedicated to connecting servicemen and women, veterans, and military spouses with the resources they need to find jobs at home. Through this initiative, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have met with military families, learned about their successes and challenges, and have connected them with businesses and non-profit organizations as they look for work in the private sector.

Pamela Eells O'Connell is the creator and executive producer of "Jessie." Debby Ryan is a co-producer. The series is from It's A Laugh Productions, Inc.

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the WORLD of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.

Photo courtesy of Disney Channel

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