Michelle Obama Recalls Her Physical Appearance Being Scrutinized While She Was First Lady on Call Her Daddy Podcast

Michelle Obama is opening up about her experience of dealing with intense scrutiny throughout her career, and during her time as first lady from 2008 to 2016.

Obama, 62, discussed her relationship with self-image in the public eye in a teaser for the upcoming Wednesday, Jan. 21, episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast.

Cooper, 31, began the clip, published on Tuesday, Jan. 20, by quoting a comment Obama made in an episode of her own IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast in November 2025.

“You said, ‘It is the habit of the culture of the world to put women in their place by attacking their physical being,’ ” Cooper read.

“The top of the article would be she was wearing, not my education, not my professional career, but it started with appearance,” Obama replied, recalling how the media covered her during her time as first lady.

“It was clear that, oh, my God, you don’t know anything about what I did before I came here,” Obama added.

The attorney and author noted that she attended Princeton University for her undergraduate degree and later graduated from Harvard Law School.

“I mean, I practiced law. I was an assistant to the mayor in Chicago. I ran a nonprofit. That quickly. my shoes become the most important thing about me. We have to think a lot more, to strike that balance and to be thoughtful about what messages we’re sending, giving, receiving,” Obama explained.

“When you get the power, when you’re the boss, when you’re running your own thing, let’s just not become female versions of the thing that was broken. Are you building the world that you told your little girl existed?” Obama asked.

Cooper then quoted Obama’s previous statement regarding a potential presidential run. “You said, ‘Don’t even look at me about running because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman, you’re not.’ ”

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“There are men out there that were not gonna vote for a woman,” Obama chimed in. “Let’s just be real about it, and let’s put that on the table and talk about, well, what’s that about? Let’s not be mad because I made the statement.”

Obama then spoke to “the young women” she is hoping to reach, telling them to “keep climbing.”

“We need you and know that you may come up short, but keep going,” Obama added.