Michelle Obama Lashes Out At White People During Interview For New Book

Former first lady Michelle Obama claimed that she had to conform to white beauty standards during an interview for her new fashion book, “The Look.”

Former President Barack Obama’s wife said she felt obligated to keep her hair straight during her tenure in the White House in a conversation with actress Tracee Ellis Ross. She blamed white people for the “exhausting” beauty standards she felt she had to upkeep while she was in the spotlight. Reflecting on her childhood, she told Ellis black people need to know how to present themselves because “how you present can sometimes save your life.”

Obama said her exposure to “high end of Chicago” taught her a lesson. “And to access those places and not be accused of stealing, you realize very early on that you better let them hear you talk, or come in with the right Le Sac case, or else you would be watched,” the former first lady said.

“So I think I learned then that how you show up, especially when it comes to white folks looking at young black kids, that how you present can sometimes save your life,” she said.

Ross read an excerpt from Obama’s book aloud. “In a way, being first lady was just another professional experience where I had to conform to a white environment of appropriateness,” the former first lady wrote, according to Ross.

Obama then discussed the effort she put into keeping her natural hair concealed until she left the White House and eventually turned her attention to white people.

“Let me explain something to white people!” Obama said.

“Our hair comes out of our head naturally in a curly pattern, so when we’re straightening it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straightness!” she claimed.

She continued to list a slew of restrictions she believed black people faced.

“That’s why so many of us can’t swim!” Obama said.

“And we run away from the water — people won’t go to the gym, because we’re trying to keep our hair straight for y’all. It is exhausting, and it’s so expensive and it takes up so much time!” she whined.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 13: Michelle Obama speaks on stage during IMO Live podcast 2025 SXSW Conference and Festival at Austin Convention Center on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)

Obama went on to suggest it was in the best interests of white people to allow black women abandon these alleged beauty expectations.

She referenced The Crown Act, which stands for ‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.’ The legislation prohibits discrimination based on hair style and texture, according to the CROWN Coalition’s website.

“Braids are for y’all so we can work harder and focus on the work, so why do we need an act — an act of law to tell white folks to get out of our hair,” she said. (RELATED: Michelle Obama Addresses Divorce Rumors Head-On)

“Don’t tell me how to wear my hair, don’t wonder about it, don’t touch it — just don’t!” she said.