Michelle Obama is finally addressing the questions that swirled when she chose not to attend President Trump’s second inauguration—and she insists she has zero regrets. In a candid chat on IMO, the podcast she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson and actress Taraji P. Henson, the former First Lady explained that she’s learning to prioritize her own well-being, even when it disappoints or perplexes others.
At sixty, Michelle revealed that therapy has given her the confidence to say “no” without guilt—even if it sparks wild speculation. “When I opted out of the inauguration—and later skipped the memorial for Jimmy Carter—people immediately assumed something was wrong in my marriage,” she said. “They couldn’t fathom that I was simply doing what felt right for me.”
She admitted that resisting pressure wasn’t easy. “I had to plan ahead: no outfit waiting in the closet, so I wouldn’t be tempted to slip into the expected role at the last minute.” Taraji Henson applauded Michelle’s honesty, pointing out how women so often serve as “shock absorbers” for everyone else’s expectations. “We’re taught to carry the emotional load for family, community, and our public image,” Henson noted. “It’s draining and unfair.”
Michelle agreed, emphasizing that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. “I want my daughters, Malia and Sasha, to learn early that it’s okay to say ‘no,’ to build that muscle before they’re my age wondering why they still feel they must prove themselves.” And she had a final piece of reassurance: “Guess what? The world keeps turning when you say no. It doesn’t collapse because you chose yourself for once.”
Her message is clear: setting healthy boundaries can be the boldest statement a woman makes, and sometimes the most powerful way to lead is by showing others—especially the next generation—how to honor their own needs first.