Former First Lady Michelle Obama is opening up like never before in a new podcast launched alongside her brother, Craig Robinson. According to The New York Times, the show—titled IMO—debuted on Wednesday and promises an intimate look into Michelle’s personal life, just as speculation about her marriage to former President Barack Obama continues to circulate.
In the trailer for IMO, Michelle reflects on her time as First Lady, serving from 2009 to 2017. “I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” she shared.
Addressing her marriage, she added, “Being married to the president of the United States is something none of us really expected. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but still…”
Throughout the podcast, Michelle and Craig—who is currently the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches—will answer audience questions about navigating life’s complexities, from marriage and parenting to friendships and dating.
Michelle also revealed that while she’s never been fond of politics, it was Craig who encouraged her to support Barack’s presidential run.
The podcast will touch on Craig’s personal life as well, including his divorce and current marriage to Kelly McCrum Robinson. And yes—they’ll be addressing the persistent divorce rumors surrounding Michelle and Barack, which have been making headlines in recent months.
Some tabloids even claimed that Barack Obama was romantically linked to Friends star Jennifer Aniston—a rumor the actress firmly shut down on Jimmy Kimmel Live, clarifying she’s only met the former president once.
IMO will eventually feature celebrity guests, some of whom previously appeared on The Michelle Obama Podcast. Expect familiar faces like director Tyler Perry, along with new voices such as actors Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer.
In addition to launching her new podcast, Michelle appeared this week on Work in Progress, the podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush. She spoke about embracing 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. “It’s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me.”
Michelle also opened up about the unique pressures women face when they prioritize themselves. “That’s something we as women struggle with—disappointing people,” she explained. “So much so that this year, when I made a choice for myself, people couldn’t even comprehend it. They assumed my husband and I must be getting divorced.”
These rumors, she noted, were partly fueled by her absence from high-profile events like Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration.
