It seems like the once bashful admirer of Michelle Obama has not so quietly packed up and left the room. Her latest podcast venture, with guest appearances by her brother Craig Robinson, who awkwardly resembles her with a touch more femininity, has not exactly set the world alight. Instead of basking in the love of what we were told were billions of adoring fans, Michelle is experiencing the harsh reality of the internet’s free market, where viewer numbers, likes, and subscribers don’t lie.
Her podcast, imaginatively titled “IMO,” is struggling for audience enthusiasm. Despite throwing a fortune at promotion and boasting the kind of pedigree any other podcaster would kill for, the Obamas’ little gamble into the world of downloadable chatter hasn’t paid off. The numbers aren’t lying: with videos achieving just meager view counts, it’s safe to say that the former First Lady’s digital charisma is less electric and more static fuzz. One could easily chalk up the dismal response to a podcast now ranked 34th on Spotify to misfortunes or simple bad luck, but perhaps the guise of public adoration has simply slipped.
People who once heralded Michelle as the epitome of elegance and glamour are now changing their tune. Those old tales of her unparalleled grace seem to have made their way into the land of make-believe. These same America-thrilled admirers of the brave first female African American First Lady appear to have redirected their attention. Have they tired of her lifestyle lectures and polished photo spreads? Maybe audiences, offered a menu variety of digital content from every corner of the globe, have simply developed a taste for something different.
And as Michelle stands embattled in her media misadventures, it begs the question: Has the golden age of Obama influence come to an end? In political circles and beyond, once-revered figures must navigate the digitally-harsh landscape just like everyone else. The numbers don’t lie, and neither does the honest boredom of podcast audiences who, perhaps, are seeking out newer and fresher voices. Whether Michelle can rekindle that once ferociously bright flame remains a mystery, with the odds seemingly stacked against her in this high-stakes game of public attention.
