Cannonball with Wesley Morris
Episode: "My Evening With Michelle Obama"
Host: Wesley Morris, The New York Times
Guest: Michelle Obama
Date: January 8, 2026
Episode Overview
Wesley Morris sits down with former First Lady Michelle Obama in front of a live Washington, D.C. audience to discuss her new bestselling book, "The Look." The conversation, recorded at 6th & I Synagogue, unfolds around the stories, significance, and cultural impact of the clothes Mrs. Obama wore as First Lady. Together, they delve into how appearance, style, and symbolism intersect with gender, race, power, and the lived realities of political and personal life. Their discussion is candid, insightful, and filled with humor, touching not just on style, but authenticity, family, and the untold labor that goes into being “seen.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Pressure—and Power—of the “Look”
[00:30] - [13:11]
- Michelle Obama introduces "The Look" as a book not merely about fashion, but about how every outfit, every detail, was scrutinized:
“Every stitch of every piece of clothing was going to be examined. And she really thinks through what that experience was like.”
- The relentless public gaze meant clothing choices were both a burden and a tool—a way to communicate, connect, and even control the narrative.
2. Navigating Judgment and Performance
[02:24] - [07:30]
- Mrs. Obama jokes about the pressure not to fall or become a meme, especially walking in heels or descending stairs:
“Don't trip. Don't fall. Don't become a meme.” — Michelle Obama [02:41]
- Discussion about outfit coordination for the event segues into the symbolism behind the Obamas' sartorial choices, with her noting Barack’s consistency as a “steady” contrast to her own more expressive style:
“He’s the steady… and I’m always the flower.” — Michelle Obama [08:21]
3. The White House: East Wing vs West Wing
[09:38] - [13:11]
- Mrs. Obama draws a vivid contrast between the “seriousness” of the West Wing and the “color and light and joy” of the East Wing, describing her efforts to make the White House more open and inclusive:
“Our goal was to make that house as open as possible. The East Wing—that was the place where that work got done.” — Michelle Obama [11:13]
4. The Book’s Title: Why “The Look”?
[13:11] - [16:57]
- The one-word title resonated with the collaborative publishing process:
“This book is about being looked at. How you look and what you look, it's how you want to be perceived... It's about culture. It's about race. It's about a woman's journey.” — Michelle Obama [15:06]
5. Beginnings: Michelle’s Early Style & Family Influence
[18:54] - [25:51]
- She shares stories of her youth in Chicago—wearing sweatshirts and galoshes, longing for fashions seen on TV, and the importance of practicality over trendiness. Her mother, an inventive homemaker who sewed most of their clothes, was her “first stylist,” though not a “fashion role model”:
“My mom was not a style icon. She was a practical woman. I love my mother. She was very crafty. She sewed everything.” — Michelle Obama [22:36]
- On fashion as ambition and aspiration: “When you grow up poor... there’s a lot of wanting.”
6. Early Professional Style & Transformative Moments
[25:51] - [32:26]
- Reflections on the transition from practical suits in the law profession to being in the public eye:
“It probably wasn't until I became a public figure that I not only had the resources, but the necessity to really think about how I had to show up.” — Michelle Obama [24:10]
- Anecdotes include frantic last-minute shopping for Barack’s convention speech, and her honest wish for young people to see the real effort and chaos, not just the polished results.
Memorable Stories & Quotes
On Ethics and Gifts in Politics
[29:18] - [36:50]
- Oprah once sent the Obamas an extravagant wardrobe gift—Michelle had to return it on principle:
“My husband...he's like, we can't keep that. Like, it's like, what? He's like, I'm in office. We don't accept gifts.” — Michelle Obama [31:11]
Oprah corroborated the story, emphasizing the Obamas’ scruples: “From the beginning, y’all were ethical, conscientious...she knew she'd chosen the right people to align her values with.” — Reported by Wesley Morris [35:48]
The Symbolism of Inaugural Fashion
[38:04] - [45:37]
- On wearing the Jason Wu gown to the first inaugural ball:
“We were beginning to realize that everything we did sent a message...who I chose to design my gown was intentional...[Jason Wu] just happened to be an immigrant kid...it changed his life.” — Michelle Obama [44:23]
The “Power Suit” and Defensive Dressing
[46:19] - [50:44]
- On wearing Sergio Hudson to Biden’s inauguration, right after January 6th:
“I knew I wanted to wear pants because I was thinking, if I have to run...That's where you were. I was thinking, I need to be comfortable. I need to...be ready.” — Michelle Obama [48:17] “That was a kind of I don't care dress. Now I will tell you that one was like...Cause I. Of the dresses that were available, that rose gold, I put that on. I was like, this is sexy. It's the last one. This is like, bye, bye.” [52:31]
The Labor Behind the Look
[61:26] - [71:35]
- Michelle credits her team for their dedication and “invisible” work:
“There’s no way I could do it without this team. And I think about how much they sacrifice...in an industry of glamour, this was about message and service.” — Michelle Obama [71:12]
- Carl Ray, her longtime makeup artist, gets emotional recognition:
“President Obama on multiple occasions has said, ‘Carl, I want to thank you for making Michelle look and feel beautiful.’ And he always responds, ‘My pleasure.’” — Wesley Morris reading Carl Ray [66:59]
Fashion, Femininity, and Authorship
[75:59] - [80:07]
- The work of dressing, especially as a woman in politics, is heavy, complicated, and largely invisible to the public.
- Meticulous preparation was critical, especially on foreign trips, to respect local customs and diplomatic symbolism:
“Those are things that male leaders do not have to think about...It's not just me...all of our senior advisors, it was Nancy Pelosi...the men are just in their stupid suits, just not thinking…” — Michelle Obama [73:27]
Family & Generational Change
[80:07] - [84:00]
- On daughterly advice and generational changes in beauty:
“You know, as they get older, they're starting to respect what I have...It's just been fun watching them come into their own style. They're very different girls.” — Michelle Obama [80:49]
- Social media’s impact on beauty and self-presentation:
“This is the thing about this new generation. Social media introduces them to a lot of stuff. Early on, I didn't wear makeup until Oprah came over.” [82:19]
Legacy and Empowerment
[84:00] - END
- Michelle Obama expresses hope for more inclusivity and self-acceptance in beauty standards:
“I think my decision to wear braids more and more comes from a whole generation of young black girls who are embracing their natural hair...there isn't one way to look professional.”
- She ends with a call to resist narrow definitions:
“I hope that this empowers us as women, as people, to embrace all of who we are, whatever that looks, looks like.” — Michelle Obama [86:22]
Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)
- "Don't trip. Don't fall. Don't become a meme." — Michelle Obama [02:41]
- “He’s the steady… and I’m always the flower.” — Michelle Obama [08:21]
- “Our goal was to make that house as open as possible. The East Wing—that was the place where that work got done.” — Michelle Obama [11:13]
- “If I don’t feel good in it, if I don’t feel beautiful, I don’t buy it. I don’t pick it. I don’t wear things because they’re in… That was my philosophy.” — Michelle Obama [55:09]
- “If it looks like fun, we can’t do it.” — Michelle Obama on White House ethics [37:45]
- “I always want the focus to be on her message.” — Carl Ray, as read by Wesley Morris [65:42]
- “That is America to me.” — Wesley Morris, on Carl Ray beautifying the First Lady [68:12]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:30] Introduction to "The Look" and event context
- [02:24] Michelle enters – humor about tripping, memes, and pressure
- [04:22] Outfit coordination, symbolism, Barack's style
- [09:38] East Wing vs West Wing, openness of the White House
- [13:11] On the book’s title and collaborative titling process
- [18:54] Childhood style, family, longing, and resourcefulness
- [25:51] Early professional life, the hustle of dressing as a young mom
- [29:18] Oprah gift story, ethics in public office
- [38:04] Inaugural gowns, Jason Wu, cultural symbolism
- [46:19] Sergio Hudson, post-January 6th power dressing
- [61:26] The team behind Michelle's look - Carl Ray’s tribute
- [75:59] The unseen labor, challenges for women in public and diplomatic settings
- [80:07] Style advice and evolution with her daughters
- [84:00] Legacy, inclusiveness, and beauty standards
Tone & Atmosphere
The conversation is relaxed yet intimate, punctuated by laughter and personal anecdotes. Mrs. Obama is unfailingly candid and reflective, inviting the audience into both the “glamorous” and the utterly mundane details of her life. Wesley Morris’ blend of sharp curiosity and admiration brings out the nuance in topics often glossed over in public discourse. Together, they make the profound feel personal—and the personal feel profound.
Summary prepared for anyone seeking a deep and vivid recap of this exceptional conversation at the intersection of culture, politics, and self-expression.