Staff Reports
Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s latest media venture, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, has stumbled out of the gate, revealing a stark disconnect between her star power and the podcast’s reception. Launched with significant fanfare in early March, the podcast promised candid conversations on life, family, and relationships. However, despite the high-profile backing of her production company, Higher Ground, and her global recognition, the numbers tell a different story. The podcast’s debut episodes garnered only 62,000 views in their first 24 hours on YouTube, a dismal showing compared to expectations.
Critics have been quick to point out the glaring gap between Michelle Obama’s media presence and the audience engagement her podcast has achieved. While her memoir Becoming shattered sales records and her previous podcast with Spotify saw significant success, IMO has failed to capture similar attention. Ranked 34th on Spotify and 19th on Apple Podcasts as of this week, the show is far from being a breakout hit. Social media users have been particularly brutal, with many dismissing the podcast as “boring,” “forced,” and a “desperate attempt to stay relevant.” The comment sections have become a battleground of criticism, with some questioning whether audiences were ever asking for this type of content.
One of the most striking critiques of IMO is its perceived lack of relatability. While Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson share anecdotes from their upbringing in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, much of the podcast is steeped in discussions that highlight their current opulent lifestyles. From stories about motorcades to firing HR staff, critics argue that the content feels disconnected from the struggles faced by everyday Americans. At a time when economic concerns dominate public discourse, this apparent tone-deafness has alienated listeners who might otherwise be drawn to her message.
The podcast’s struggles also underscore broader challenges for Democrats in connecting with key voter demographics. As Michelle Obama critiques men for their lack of emotional engagement or shares grievances about her husband’s habits, some see this as emblematic of why the Democratic Party increasingly struggles with working-class voters and men. The lack of substantive content or meaningful vulnerability in IMO has left many questioning its purpose beyond serving as a platform for personal musings.
Ultimately, Michelle Obama’s foray into podcasting serves as a cautionary tale for public figures attempting to leverage fame into new media ventures. In an oversaturated podcast market where authenticity and relatability reign supreme, even household names must deliver compelling content to hold an audience’s attention. For now, IMO appears to be more of a misstep than a milestone in Michelle Obama’s storied career—a reminder that past glory doesn’t always translate into present-day relevance.
