On a new podcast alongside her brother, Michelle Obama opened up about details of her personal life, reports The New York Times.
The podcast, called IMO, premiered on Wednesday and the trailer featured insights into Michelle’s marriage as rumors of her divorce from former President Barack Obama filled headlines.
“I couldn’t have gotten through eight years in the White House without my big brother,” Michelle said speaking of her role as a first lady between 2009 and 2017.
“… being married to the president of the United States [is a] thing that that none of us kind of banked on. We knew Barack was smart and ambitious, but, you know…,” she added.
The former First Lady explained that on their podcast, she and Craig, who serves as the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, would be answering questions from viewers about “the challenges you’re grappling with in life… whether you’re navigating the gray areas of marriage and raising kids, or dealing with a little friend drama—or even figuring out how to put yourself out there in the dating world.”
Michelle Obama admitted she has always disliked politics, but it was her brother, Craig Robinson, who convinced her to support her husband in running for president.
The hosts will speak of Robinson’s divorce from his first wife and his marriage to current wife Kelly McCrum Robinson. They will also address the rumors surrounding the alleged divorce of the Obamas that has been a much-discussed topic in recent months.
The rumors of their separation spread so far that some media outlets claimed Barack Obama was dating Friends star Jennifer Aniston. The actress, however, denied the rumors during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying she has only met the former president once.
Michelle and her brother will eventually introduce celebrity guests, some of whom appeared on Obama’s previous production The Michelle Obama Podcast, including director Tyler Perry; and new guests, like actors Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer.
On Wednesday, the former first lady was a guest on Sophia Bush’s podcast, Work in Progress, where she discussed life after her daughters have moved out.
“[Life] is whatever I want, Sophia, It’s whatever I want,” she said, adding that life of an “empty nester” is liberating.
“It’s the first time in my life all of my choices are for me.”
Then, Michelle Obama discussed the position of the woman in society, saying that when they give themselves the permission to prioritize themselves, they face struggles and issues.
“That’s the thing that we as women, I think… we struggle with disappointing people. I mean, so much so, that this year people were… they couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.”
The rumors came as a result of Michelle’s absence from Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration.
