Michelle Obama is once again stepping into the spotlight, this time to share the story behind her celebrated sense of style and her candid reflections on parenting in the public eye. With her new book, The Look, set for release on November 4, 2025, and a series of related events and discussions, the former First Lady is inviting readers and listeners to join her on a journey through fashion, family, and life at the intersection of history and modern culture.
Published by Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, The Look traces Michelle Obama’s style evolution from her earliest days in the national limelight—beginning with her husband Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign—through her years as the first Black First Lady, and into her present role as a global icon. According to BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), the book offers more than a collection of memorable outfits; it’s a behind-the-scenes exploration of how those looks came together, featuring insight from her trusted stylist Meredith Koop, makeup artist Carl Ray, and hairstylists Yene Damtew and Njeri Radway.
But The Look isn’t just about clothes. As BAM describes, it’s a powerful meditation on how we present ourselves to the world, and what our choices say about who we are. The narrative weaves together personal anecdotes, professional advice, and cultural commentary, making it both an intimate memoir and a broader reflection on identity in the public sphere.
To celebrate the book’s launch, Michelle Obama will appear for a special one-night-only event at BAM on November 5, 2025. She’ll be joined on stage by Tracee Ellis Ross for a live taping of the hit podcast IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson. This event promises to be more than just a conversation—it’s a chance for fans and followers to see Mrs. Obama in her element, reflecting on her journey with both humor and honesty.
Tickets for the BAM event went on sale to BAM Members & Patrons on October 16, 2025, and to the general public on October 20, 2025. Prices start at $65 for unbundled tickets and $115 for tickets that include a copy of The Look. Notably, all Orchestra and Mezzanine tickets automatically come with the book, offering attendees a tangible piece of the evening’s inspiration. As BAM notes, the event will run for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and all performances will adhere to New York State safety protocols—a reminder of the ongoing efforts to balance public gatherings with health and safety.
Adding to the excitement, Higher Ground—the media company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama—has announced a special six-part limited companion series to the IMO podcast, extending the themes of The Look into the audio realm. This series promises to dive even deeper into the stories, collaborations, and cultural moments that have defined Michelle Obama’s journey, offering listeners fresh perspectives and behind-the-scenes access.
Yet, while the world eagerly anticipates the release of The Look and its companion series, Michelle Obama has continued to use her platform to speak candidly about the challenges of parenting under the glare of public scrutiny. In a recent episode of IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, which aired on October 15, 2025, she shared a lighthearted anecdote that underscored the unique pressures her family faced during Barack Obama’s presidency.
"Our girls had Secret Service agents until Malia went to college, which we were thrilled about in the teen years," Michelle Obama told listeners, as reported by Newsweek. She recalled her husband’s humorous take on the situation: "Barack was like, 'I'm going to get reelected just so that my girls have Secret Service in the teen years.'" It was a moment that combined the gravity of presidential responsibility with the everyday concerns of parenting—an intersection few can truly appreciate.
But the conversation didn’t stop at security. Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of letting her daughters, Malia (now 27) and Sasha (now 24), experience a measure of autonomy, even in the most unusual of circumstances. "Nobody's sneaking, doing anything," she explained on the podcast. "But at the same time, I had to give them enough rope to sneak…you got to learn what trouble is before you run into it, you know? You got to have the baby trouble, the trouble of being at the wrong party at the wrong time. You got to learn how to drive. You got to get a ticket. You got to get through an airport by yourself." Her brother and co-host, Craig Robinson, agreed, noting the importance of "the trouble where the ramifications aren't big enough to ruin your life."
Michelle Obama’s candor about parenting has become a hallmark of the IMO podcast. In previous episodes, she’s discussed the pressure to keep her daughters grounded despite their extraordinary circumstances. As Newsweek highlighted, she once admitted to punishing Malia "for a whole semester," reflecting on the tendency to "overkill on the parenting of trying to be normal" in the White House. Her fears, she said, were familiar to many parents, but amplified by the world’s gaze: "Every time something happened and they're teenagers in the White House, I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, this is a sign, they're going to be on the street; they're going to be addicts; and this is really going to mess them up.'"
Barack Obama, too, has used the podcast to share his perspective on parenting. In a July episode, he addressed the challenges facing boys in today’s society, cautioning that "those of us with daughters, we've got to have good guys out there…not necessarily to get married, but to make sure that what we're learning isn't undermined. If you're not thinking about what's happening to boys and how they're being raised, that can actually hurt women." His comments reflect the Obamas’ ongoing engagement with broader social issues, even as they draw on their personal experiences.
Of course, the Obamas’ time in the White House was shaped by the strictures of the U.S. Constitution—specifically the 22nd Amendment, which forbids a president from seeking a third term. While only Franklin Delano Roosevelt ever served more than two terms, the idea of extended presidential tenure has surfaced in recent years, with Donald Trump and his supporters exploring the possibility of a 2028 campaign. Still, as Newsweek points out, the rules remain clear, and the Obamas have moved on to new chapters in their public and private lives.
For those eager to hear more, IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson airs new episodes every Wednesday on platforms including Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. The upcoming companion series tied to The Look promises to bring even more insight and inspiration to an already devoted audience.
With a new book, a high-profile event, and her trademark honesty, Michelle Obama continues to shape the conversation—reminding us that style, like parenting, is about much more than what meets the eye.
