Michelle Obama, renowned for her style and confidence, has also faced challenges with her appearance, particularly regarding her hair. As the first lady, she often chose straight or lightly curled hairstyles, like the one at President Biden’s 2021 inauguration, which became viral due to its sleek look created by stylist Yene Damtew.
It was only after leaving the White House that she began embracing more natural hairstyles, evident in her 2018 Essence cover with natural curls and her braided look at the 2022 White House portrait unveiling. This shift was significant, with figures like President Biden’s advisor Adjoa B. Asamoah, a proponent of the CROWN Act against hair discrimination, applauding her choice, reported People.
Obama’s decision to maintain straightened hair during her husband’s presidency was deliberate. Speaking at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., she mentioned that she wanted America to adjust to having a Black-first family without additional distractions.
She felt the nation wasn’t ready for her natural hair, reflecting on the broader African-American experience. Her focus was to avoid her hair becoming a talking point over her work, as she explained in a conversation with Revolt TV. She emphasized her strategic choice to straighten her hair to prevent it from overshadowing their policy initiatives, like healthcare.
In her 2022 book, “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” Obama candidly discusses her struggles with self-doubt and body acceptance, especially as she ages. She admits to moments of wanting to avoid her reflection and shares her approach to overcoming negative thoughts by focusing on self-love.
Her conversation with Oprah in 2020 further delved into the challenges of being a Black woman in America, where societal standards often don’t align with feeling beautiful. She also addressed the gender-based double standards in appearance, advocating for acceptance and embracing changes that come with aging. Through her journey, Obama highlights the importance of self-acceptance, resilience, and the power of defining beauty on one’s own terms.