Former First Lady Michelle Obama recently set the record straight on persistent divorce rumors involving her and former President Barack Obama during the debut episode of her new podcast, IMO, co-hosted with her brother Craig Robinson. The podcast premiered on a Wednesday and immediately grabbed attention as the trailer hinted at deeply personal topics, including her marriage, which has been the subject of much speculation in recent months.
Michelle opened the conversation by reflecting on her time as First Lady from 2009 to 2017, expressing how vital her brother’s support was during those years. “I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” she said. She went on to admit that marrying someone who would eventually become president wasn’t something she had planned for, noting, “Being married to the president of the United States is a thing that none of us kind of banked on. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…” Through their podcast, Michelle and Craig aim to tackle real-life challenges by answering listener-submitted questions on topics like navigating the complexities of marriage, parenting, friendships, and dating.
Craig, who serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, will also share personal experiences, including details about his own divorce and his current marriage to Kelly McCrum Robinson. The two siblings hope to foster open, relatable conversations, making space for the kind of life advice that resonates with everyday people. Michelle also shared how she has never been a fan of politics but supported Barack’s presidential run because of Craig’s encouragement. The podcast doesn’t shy away from addressing the false rumors that have surrounded the Obamas.
These rumors grew to such a point that some tabloids falsely claimed Barack Obama was dating Friends actress Jennifer Aniston—a claim she denied in an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, clarifying that she had only met the former president once. Michelle and Craig plan to welcome a series of guests on their show, some of whom have appeared on The Michelle Obama Podcast, such as filmmaker Tyler Perry. Others, like Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer, are expected to join as new contributors to the thoughtful and engaging conversations they plan to have. Michelle also appeared as a guest on actress Sophia Bush’s podcast Work in Progress, where she opened up about her experience of becoming an “empty nester” after her daughters, Malia and Sasha, moved out.
Describing this new chapter in her life as empowering, she told Bush, “[Life] is whatever I want, Sophia. It’s whatever I want.” She elaborated by saying, “It’s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me,” emphasizing the freedom she now feels. The former First Lady then took a moment to discuss the broader societal challenges women face when they begin prioritizing themselves. She reflected on how women are often made to feel guilty for making decisions that serve their own well-being, explaining, “That’s the thing that we as women, I think… we struggle with disappointing people.” Michelle added that the public’s inability to understand her stepping back from certain events—like Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration—led to the assumption that her marriage was in trouble. “People couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, so they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” she said, pointing out how often women’s actions are misinterpreted through the lens of outdated expectations. Through IMO, Michelle Obama is not only challenging those assumptions but also providing a space for honest dialogue about real-life issues. By combining personal stories with broader discussions about relationships, identity, and societal pressures, she and her brother are offering something fresh and meaningful. Whether debunking rumors or encouraging others to live authentically, Michelle continues to use her voice to empower and uplift—reminding listeners that choosing yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential.
