Michelle and Barack Obama are dishing out dating advice that might just raise a few conservative eyebrows.
InStyle reported that during a recent podcast episode, the former first couple, celebrating 33 years of marriage, shared their unconventional approach to guiding their daughters, Malia and Sasha, through the rocky terrain of romance while shrugging off divorce rumors that surfaced this year.
Let’s start at the beginning: the Obamas have faced whispers of marital strife in recent months, a topic they’ve publicly dismissed with a chuckle during a joint podcast appearance earlier this month.
Marking their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle and Barack seem determined to project unity, even as Barack has previously admitted to past struggles, describing himself as being in a "deep deficit" with his wife at times.
Now, instead of focusing solely on their own story, they’re turning their attention to their daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, offering guidance drawn from their own pasts.
Michelle, co-hosting "IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson" alongside her brother, used the latest episode to dive into the topic of dating, advocating for a strategy that might make traditionalists squirm.
Her advice? Date a lot, experiment, and figure out what you want—hardly the "wait for the right one" mantra many conservative families might prefer.
"Because my feeling is like the thing that I did do was date a lot," Michelle said, suggesting that racking up experiences helped her know what to look for when Barack came along.
Well, that’s one way to play the field, but one wonders if this trial-and-error approach undercuts the value of commitment and discernment from the get-go.
Michelle didn’t stop there—she and Barack openly share tales of their own dating missteps with Malia and Sasha, emphasizing what didn’t work to steer their daughters clear of similar pitfalls.
"Barack and I talk about our dating experiences... so we try to educate the girls by sharing what didn’t work," she explained, adding a nudge to move on fast from bad matches.
While transparency with children can be admirable, this level of detail about personal failures might blur the line between guidance and oversharing—shouldn’t some lessons stay in the past?
As for the daughters, Malia has been linked to several partners, including Rory Farquharson, whom she reportedly dated during her Harvard years, while Sasha has sparked recent rumors with Clifton Powell Jr., son of actor Clifton Powell.
Back to Michelle’s philosophy—she insists on keeping communication open, saying, "It's all about doing 'the work' and keeping the 'lines of communication open,'" a sentiment that sounds noble but might feel like progressive jargon to those who prioritize traditional family structures.
Ultimately, while the Obamas’ intent to guide their daughters through the maze of modern romance is understandable, their methods—encouraging a buffet-style approach to dating—may clash with the values of stability and intentionality that many on the right hold dear, even as we respect their right to parent as they see fit.