Former First Lady Michelle Obama criticized the spread of rumors online as she recorded an episode of her podcast IMO at SXSW, but didn’t address wild speculation that her marriage is on the rocks.
Michelle appeared without former President Barack Obama in Austin, Texas, amid rumors their relationship is in trouble – and spoke to brother Craig Robinson about the negativity of social media and why the last year has been ‘rough’.
Unfounded rumors even romantically linked the former POTUS to actress Jennifer Aniston.
However, the presidential couple have not been together in public since the Democratic National Convention in August when they each gave impassioned speeches in support of then Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.
Wearing a rust-colored pantsuit, possibly in tribute to the Texas Longhorns, Michelle took the stage at SXSW with her big brother Thursday.
‘This is our first live show,’ Michelle announced to the crowd of about 2,500.
The 61-year-old talked about the last year which she called ‘rough’ after the siblings lost their mother.
‘It kind of puts us in the positions where we are the wise ones in the families,’ she shared.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, speak at SXSW Thursday in Austin, Texas
‘Our goal is to share some of what we learned. We’re dealing with a lot of uncertainties. I worry about folks being out of work. I worry about what we think about diversity and inclusion…who do we want to be as a country keeps me up at night.’
IMO, short for ‘in my opinion,’ is a weekly podcast that debuted on Wednesday.
Meant to be mainly an advice platform, the siblings took one question from the audience with the help of special guest Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor who hosts her own podcast, ‘The Happiness Lab.’
Michelle did bring up her husband, sharing how they got through negativity during two terms in the White House.
‘You cannot live through social media,’ the former FLOTUS said.
‘I don’t think I’ve once looked through a comments section- period. I would implore young people, don’t let that negative energy enter into your space.’
She added how rumors are often spread online, and it distorts our sense of reality.
Michelle Obama recorded an episode of her new podcast, IMO, alongside her brother Craig Robinson in Austin, Texas
While in Austin, Texas, the former FLOTUS wore a rust-colored set, similar to the brunt orange color worn by the hometown town team, Texas Longhorns
The former first couple were last seen together in public at the Democratic National Convention on August 20
Obama revealed the taping of the podcast in front of an audience was a ‘first’
Although the podcast is not meant to be political, there were many references to current events, with Michelle calling federal and public workers the soul of the nation.
‘We still live in a world where science matters,’ Michelle declared to applause and cheers from attendees.
She also referenced billionaires who don’t ‘seem happy’ despite having more money than they can spend.
‘I know a whole lot of these billionaires, and I don’t know, as we can see, that they seem happy. Ultimately, if that’s your only goal, is to have more than you need, to never been satisfied…there will be a hole in your heart,’ Michelle said.
During the podcast’s inaugural episode, Michelle shared she would not be able to ‘get through’ her eight years in the White House without Robinson.
‘Being married to the president of the United States [is a] thing that that none of us kind of banked on,’ she said.
‘We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…’
Michelle never wanted her husband to run for the highest office.
It was her brother who convinced her to support her husband’s political ambitions.
‘You talked me into supporting his run. He was smart enough to know that he needed to come to you and sell you on the idea. Because I was definitely like, no, no way,’ she said.
Michelle also confessed that she was irritated by Obama’s lack of punctuality at the start of their relationship.
‘Barack had to adjust to what on time was… you know, I’ve got this husband who, when it’s time to leave, he’s getting up and going to the bathroom.
‘And I was like, dude, like 3 three o’clock departure means you’ve done all that.
Former first lady Michelle Obama opened up about her marriage on her new podcast, IMO
The podcast premiered on Wednesday – as divorce rumors continue to swirl around the couple
Michelle said she would not have survived eight years in the White House without her brother
Michelle Obama was spotted stepping out with her brother Craig Robinson last month in LA
The podcast is produced by Higher Ground, the production company founded by the Obamas in 2018, but it’s unclear what, if any role, Barack has in the production.
The company has previously released a limited series about Stevie Wonder and a celebrity interview show about family recipes. Michelle previously hosted a podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast.
The Obamas have attempted to quash speculation about their marriage by posting a romantic selfie smiling and embracing on Instagram for Valentine’s Day.
‘Thirty-two years together and you still take my breath away. Happy Valentine’s Day, Michelle Obama!’ the Democrat wrote in a social media caption.
It was unclear when the image was taken, but Michelle shared the same selfie on her own account.
She wrote: ‘If there’s one person I can always count on, it’s you, Barack Obama. You’re my rock. Always have been. Always will be. Happy Valentine’s Day, honey!’
The Obamas have been spending an increasing amount of time in California since 2021 when eldest daughter Malia relocated to LA after graduating from Harvard to pursue a career in screen writing and film production.
Famously, the Golden State was their first stop after leaving the White House in 2016 with the former First Couple treating their family to a vacation in a secluded Palm Springs mansion.
Since then, their love of the famously Liberal state has only grown with younger daughter Sasha transferring to the University of Southern California from the University of Michigan in 2022.
After graduating with a degree in sociology, Sasha has shown interest in following her sister into the entertainment business.
Barack Obama sat courtside in the NBA on Wednesday to watch the Clippers beat the Pistons
Obama’s repeated public appearances without wife Michelle have led to divorce rumors
