Craig Robinson’s Skepticism Toward Barack Obama
Craig Robinson never expected his sister Michelle’s new boyfriend, Barack Obama, to stick around. But their relationship would grow into a lasting love story.
On a recent episode of their podcast, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, the two shared memories of Michelle’s early days with Barack. Craig didn’t hold back, revealing how skeptical he had been at first.
First Impressions of Barack
Craig recalled, “We didn’t know who this guy was. ‘Barack? Who’s got a name like Barack?'” He dismissed their relationship as a short-term fling, joking, “It’s gonna last for about a month — like most of your relationships did.”
Michelle fired back, “I’ve had many a long-term boyfriend.” But Craig wasn’t convinced, responding, “I wouldn’t call those guys boyfriends.”
The First Meeting with Barack
Craig and their mother first met Barack when he arrived with Michelle. Craig laughed, recalling their mother’s remark: “At least he’s tall.” But still, he wasn’t sold. “I said to myself, ‘Well, it’s too bad. It’s not gonna last.'”
The Basketball Test
Things changed when Michelle asked Craig to take Barack to play basketball. Craig initially resisted, saying, “No way. I am not doing your dirty work for you.” But he eventually relented. “We went, and we had a great time,” he said.
The Turning Point
What did Craig learn? “Aside from the fact that he is tremendously left-handed, he was a team player. He fit in with the people.” That quality was enough to win Craig’s approval. From that moment on, Craig supported the relationship, and the rest, as they say, is history.
A Strong Family Bond
Despite Craig’s early skepticism, Michelle and Barack went on to build a strong family, raising two daughters, Malia and Sasha, who would later capture the public’s attention.
Malia and Sasha: A Close Relationship
As Malia and Sasha grew older, their bond only strengthened. Barack shared, “Malia and Sasha have been with us almost continuously since March,” due to the pandemic.
Their time together deepened their connection. Michelle was especially grateful, saying, “It’s like the one thing you want for them” — to be close to one another.
Living Together
In 2022, Malia and Sasha moved in together. Michelle admitted she tempered her excitement, not wanting to influence their decision. Still, she was happy her daughters found comfort in each other.
Malia: A Rising Star in Film and Television
Malia, now 26, has followed her passion for storytelling. She’s made waves in the entertainment industry, directing the short drama The Heart and writing for the show Swarm.
Her debut episode of Swarm, co-written with Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, was praised for its bold, hilarious ideas. Malia’s work has already earned recognition, including a New Generation prize for The Heart at the 2024 Festival de Deauville.
Sasha: Embracing Independence and Success
Sasha, now 23, has also carved her own path. She recently earned a sociology degree from the University of Southern California, a milestone celebrated by her family.
Barack has always cherished his daughters’ growth, saying, “She’s a mini you” to Michelle in reference to Sasha’s resemblance to her.
Cherishing Family Moments
Michelle continues to cherish time with her daughters. “It is fun spending time with them,” she said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. As the sisters grow into adults, the Obamas remain a close-knit family, navigating the public eye while protecting their privacy.
