Michelle Obama, America’s former First Lady, has authored a book on the fashion restrictions as the wife of the President of the United States. One of the most elite jobs in the world, theatrics has always been a big part of it. From waving outside Air Force One to every public appearance, it is all a meticulously planned effort.
Speaking at Jamie Kern Lima’s podcast, she opened up about her personal style. Michelle Obama shared that she had her own ‘glam team’ while she held the title. There were dedicated employees to do her hair, makeup, and style her outfits. Revealing this detail, she acknowledged that having the “trifecta…feels like a luxury, but it was a time necessity.” But this justification, of sorts, did not sit well with the Internet, after the comment that followed seemed to have struck a nerve with MAGA and other followers.
‘Rare is the woman who can live off the rack’
During the conversation on the Jamie Show, she added, “There’s absolutely no way that I would be able to do my hair and makeup and have clothes ready that fit because rare is the woman who can live off the rack.”
As the clip went viral, the former First Lady was under fire yet again. “She’s so out of touch she can’t understand that 99% of women not only live off the rack, but don’t even know what the hell she’s talking about,” read a comment on X. “If she means as a First Lady or celebrity, then sure. But when she says, ‘rare is the woman who can live off the rack’ who is she talking to? Those of us who need to alter our clothes don’t have a glam squad,” read another enraged comment.
Michelle Obama explains that having a team of three people taking care of her hair and makeup and clothing was a necessity, not a luxury, because she—like the vast majority of women—can’t be seen in public without tailored clothes.
Who paid for this lifestyle?
“I know having a… pic.twitter.com/Md6qmtcH55
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) November 8, 2025
“So tone deaf and out of touch with reality,” felt another user on the Internet.
On the other hand, there were others who defended her. Being a public figure and constantly under the lens of the media, “she always looks nicely put”, opined a netizen. Another user supported the need for tailored outfits due to the restrictive ready-to-wear options available, which tend to conform to conventional beauty standards.
“Why is this something to criticise her about. She is in front of the camera in that position. Of course, she needed a stylist team. Pick on her policies. Not the reality of media life in the 21st century,” wrote a user defending Michelle Obama.
