Michelle Obama recently released a picture book titled The Look, highlighting some of her most memorable fashion and beauty moments. In it, she shares the pressures she experienced as the first Black First Lady, including criticism of her style.
The former First Lady has openly discussed how her hair and appearance were scrutinized, reflecting broader challenges Black women face with their natural hair, especially in professional settings. These issues contributed to the creation of the CROWN Act in 2019, which aims to combat hair-based discrimination.
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly challenged Obama’s claims on her podcast, arguing that Black women do not face hair-related struggles. Kelly said,
“That is bullsh*t. Black women can walk around with whatever hair they want. Only in Michelle Obama’s warped mind, do white people not like them, unless their hair looks like white hair.”
However, this interpretation misrepresents Obama’s stance, who told PEOPLE she often wished her hair “not to become a distraction” from the work of the Obama administration.
Michelle Obama highlights real pressures Black women face over natural hair, while Megyn Kelly dismisses these issues, misrepresenting Obama’s nuanced experiences.