Michelle Obama drew criticism Friday after posting a video to Instagram showing her in a photoshoot while assistants adjusted her clothing, hair, and makeup.
The reaction followed comments she made earlier this month during an ABC special with Robin Roberts promoting her memoir “The Look,” in which she discussed her experience with a “glam team” during her time in the White House.
In the broadcast interview, Obama described the demands of her schedule as First Lady.
“I didn’t really have that choice as First Lady, right? Every day, every time I was up, as we called it, you know, I was up for the public, and the days were long,” she said.
“So as you mentioned, to save time, you know, having a glam team, a trifecta, it feels like a luxury, but it was a time necessity.”
She added, “There’s absolutely no way that I would be able to do my hair and makeup and have clothes ready that fit, you know, because rare is the woman that can live off the rack, you know?”
During the same interview, Obama discussed beauty expectations for women.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“As women of color, the way our hair naturally grows out of our head, it’s beautiful, but if we struggle to make it look like the standard, that means we are spending thousands of hours and lots of money straightening out what is naturally curly hair and that takes hours out of your life,” she said.
Once again, Michelle Obama is playing the victim Olympics. For a former First Lady, book author, multi-millionaire, she sure does have a rough and oppressed life, huh? pic.twitter.com/F2mWGN2fSt
— Zeek Arkham 🇺🇸 (@ZeekArkham) November 15, 2025
The recent video posted to Instagram featured Obama preparing for a photoshoot as staff members adjusted her wardrobe and styling.
Viewers responded online by contrasting the clip with her earlier remarks about the challenges of maintaining a public image as First Lady and the demands placed on her appearance during her White House tenure.
So let’s get this straight…
Michelle Obama complains about a hair and make up team, complains about how hard it was to be First Lady, complains about how she doesn’t have a private life, complains about how hard black women have it, complains about being scrutinized…
But… https://t.co/XOipIeLgrL
— Zeek Arkham 🇺🇸 (@ZeekArkham) November 22, 2025
The ABC interview was part of a media tour promoting “The Look,” in which Obama described the routine involved in preparing for public engagements.
Roberts responded during the segment as Obama detailed scheduling and presentation requirements linked to White House events.
Commentary published in the New York Post by Miranda Devine referenced the treatment of former First Lady Melania Trump during President Trump’s first term.
Devine wrote that Trump “was subjected to” criticism of her appearance, background, and holiday decorations during her time in the White House. Devine noted that Trump, a former model, was not featured on the cover of Vogue during the administration.
Read the full article here


