Michelle Obama Opens Up About Divorce and Freedom in New Podcast
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is set to discuss topics like marriage, independence, and friendships in an upcoming podcast alongside her brother, Craig Robinson. The show is scheduled to premiere this week.
According to The New York Times, the podcast, titled IMO—short for “in my opinion”—will release its first two episodes on Wednesday. The show, which blends audio with video content, will be widely accessible to audiences.
A featured image from the podcast includes Michelle Obama and her brother, who serves as the head of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. While the siblings steer clear of politics and current affairs, their conversations revolve around lifestyle and personal experiences.
That doesn’t mean they shy away from difficult discussions. As The Times reported, one episode touches on Robinson’s divorce from his first wife, Janis Robinson, in 2000. He later remarried in 2006, tying the knot with Kelly McCrum Robinson. With a background as a collegiate basketball coach, Robinson brings his own life journey into the conversation.
There has also been growing chatter about challenges within the Obamas’ marriage. The podcast reportedly delves into Michelle’s relationship with former President Barack Obama and his life in politics.
Rumors about the couple’s marriage have circulated for years, including speculation linking Barack Obama to actress Jennifer Aniston.
However, Friends star Aniston put those rumors to rest during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, stating she had only “met him once.”
“I know Michelle more than him,” Aniston clarified.
Though Michelle Obama may discuss her personal life on IMO, she remains firm in her stance against political involvement. In her 2018 memoir, Becoming, she candidly wrote that she “never wanted to be involved in politics.”
As noted by The Times, she and her brother also reflect on their childhood in Chicago, Illinois, where they shared a small apartment and even a bedroom.
Another topic Michelle touches on is regaining a sense of normalcy, including the simple act of driving again—something she hadn’t done freely for years due to Secret Service restrictions.
According to the publication, the podcast largely consists of “advice based on their life experiences” and will feature a lineup of celebrity guests. Some, like director Tyler Perry, previously appeared on The Michelle Obama Podcast, while new faces such as actors Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer will make their debut.
Episode two will include writer, actress, and producer Issa Rae, who will discuss maintaining friendships in adulthood.
The show is a collaboration between Higher Ground, the Obama family’s media company, and Audible, owned by Amazon.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama was spotted courtside at a Los Angeles Clippers game on Wednesday—noticeably without Michelle, fueling further speculation about the couple’s relationship.
Instead, Obama sat alongside Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie Snyder, in what appeared to be an awkward third-wheel situation.
Barack Obama previously attended President Donald Trump’s second inauguration alone in January after Michelle, a vocal critic of Trump, chose not to attend.
She was also absent at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral in D.C., opting instead to extend her vacation in Hawaii, according to reports.
Despite persistent speculation, the couple seemed affectionate on Valentine’s Day last month, sharing heartfelt messages on social media, as The Post noted.
Following Michelle’s decision to skip Trump’s inauguration, a source familiar with her perspective stated that the former first lady had no desire to “fake a smile” for someone she continues to see as a threat to American democracy.