In today’s thrilling episode of “Guess Who’s Complaining Now?” we bring you the latest grievance from Michelle Obama, who seems to think the world doesn’t quite see enough of her. Yes, the former First Lady and American icon has pressed pause on her podcast escapade to let everyone know that she’s feeling painfully unseen, largely due to our pesky preoccupation with, well, anything other than spotting her at the airport. Apparently, Michelle’s newfound anonymity while flying commercial is a plight compared to what the average American would call a dream come true.
Meanwhile, Michelle’s claims of invisibility are almost as dubious as a celebrity trying to blend in at a Walmart on Black Friday. She’s lamenting that the mobile device addiction has led to people missing out on her star power—a situation that her brother Craig Robinson cheekily echoed in their podcast, which, by the sounds of it, attracts an audience that could fit in a closet with room to spare. It seems even family ribbing isn’t off the menu in her world of woes.
The real kicker here, however, is the well-worn narrative of Michelle’s continuous struggle with recognition, or the lack thereof, while decked out in outfits more suited for a royal gala than a red-eye. One might assume that a woman of her stature, sporting more zeroes in her wardrobe budget than most people can count, could brush off a missed autograph request now and then. But alas, it appears that her struggles are quite substantial, probably the most substantial among all those who reside in their multi-million dollar estates with their sea-turtle-soup-on-the-veranda lifestyle.
Never one to shy away from the deep end of grumbling, Michelle also brings up how black women historically have not been given the space to voice their troubles—and yet, here she is, broadcasting them for everyone to hear. It raises the interesting paradox of a world-class complainer feeling somehow roadblocked from complaining. You’d think attending Ivy League schools and residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue might have afforded a few complaint cards, but apparently not enough to satisfy Michelle’s growing collection.
This peculiar drama unfolds amidst whisperings of a marital spat that could rival Hollywood’s most talked-about breakups. With hints of housing arrangements that keep the Obamas as far apart as their private jets can take them, one wonders if the real papyrus between them is so old it crinkles. Yet, they manage to orchestrate a shared smile for the paparazzi here and there, as if to say, “See, we’re just like you, except on a private beach with our own zip code.”
So why all this sudden clamor for visibility? Your guess is as good as mine, but it could be an attempt to prematurely set the stage for another act—perhaps a political comeback or an expansion of her media ventures. Whatever the motive, one thing’s clear: Michelle’s complaints aren’t going anywhere fast, much like her place in the public spotlight.
