Former First Lady Michelle Obama is offering rare insight into her personal life in a new podcast she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson. According to The New York Times, the show—titled IMO—premiered Wednesday and has already sparked interest for its candid discussions, particularly around Michelle’s marriage to former President Barack Obama amid swirling divorce rumors.
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“I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” Michelle said, reflecting on her time as First Lady from 2009 to 2017.
She acknowledged the challenges of life in the spotlight, saying, “Being married to the president of the United States… that’s not something any of us planned for. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…”
The podcast invites listeners to submit questions on a range of topics, from navigating marriage and raising children to friendship struggles and dating. Craig Robinson, who serves as executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, brings his own experiences to the show—including his divorce and his current marriage to Kelly McCrum Robinson.
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Michelle, who has long expressed her distaste for politics, revealed that it was Craig who encouraged her to support Barack’s presidential campaign. The podcast will also address rumors about the Obamas’ marriage, which have been making headlines in recent months. Some outlets went so far as to suggest a romantic link between Barack Obama and Friends star Jennifer Aniston—a claim the actress dismissed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying she’s only met the former president once.
IMO will eventually feature celebrity guests—some familiar from Michelle’s previous series, The Michelle Obama Podcast, including filmmaker Tyler Perry. New faces like actors Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer are also expected to appear.
In a separate interview on Work in Progress, the podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, Michelle opened up about life after her daughters left home.
“[Life] is whatever I want, Sophia. It’s whatever I want,” she said. Describing the freedom of being an "empty nester," she added, “It’s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me.”
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Michelle also spoke about the pressure women face when they choose to prioritize themselves. “We struggle with disappointing people,” she said. “So much so that this year, when I made a choice for myself, people couldn’t believe it. They assumed my husband and I were divorcing.”
Speculation about the Obamas' relationship intensified after Michelle was notably absent from both Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration.
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