Michelle Obama and her brother to launch a podcast with weekly guests
NEW YORK — Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, will host a new weekly podcast series starting this month featuring a special guest pulled from the world of entertainment, sports, health and business.
“IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” will address “everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us,” according to a news release. IMO is slang for “in my opinion.”
Some of the guests slated to speak to the former first lady and Robinson, the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, include the actors Issa Rae and Keke Palmer and psychologist Dr. Orna Guralnik.
Other guests include filmmakers Seth and Lauren Rogan; soccer star Abby Wambach; authors Jay Shetty, Glennon Doyle and Logan Ury; editor Elaine Welteroth; radio personality Angie Martinez; media mogul Tyler Perry; actor Tracee Ellis Ross; husband-and-wife athlete and actor Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union; and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.
The first two episodes — the first is an introductory one and the second features Rae — will premiere on March 12. New episodes will be released weekly and will be available on all audio platforms and YouTube.
“With everything going on in the world, we’re all looking for answers and people to turn to,” Obama said in a statement. “There is no single way to deal with the challenges we may be facing — whether it’s family, faith, or our personal relationships — but taking the time to open up and talk about these issues can provide hope.”
Obama has had two other podcasts — “The Michelle Obama Podcast” in 2020 and another in 2023, “The Light We Carry.” Her husband, Barack Obama, offered a series of conversations about American life between him and Bruce Springsteen.
The new podcast is a production of Higher Ground, the media company founded in 2018 by the former president and first lady.
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The rising rapper Doechii has earned the title of Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year, landing her in the same company as Taylor Swift, SZA, Lady Gaga and as last year's honoree, Karol G.
The news arrives just one month after Doechii won the Grammy for best rap album, only the third woman to win in that category.
When it came time to give her award speech, the tears were immediate. “This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill —” she said, correcting herself. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
Now she will be honored as Woman of the Year at the Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 29. Previous honorees include Madonna, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande.
In 2024, the Associated Press named Doechii’s breakout mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” one of the best albums of the year — a versatile album that teeters from the romance of her smooth R&B and the acuity of her flows.
“Doechii is taking pop culture by storm, this year becoming the third woman in history to win a Grammy best rap album, and dazzling fans of every musical genre with her breathtaking performances, ultra-candid lyrics and utterly unique sound, style and spirit,” said Hannah Karp, Editor-in-Chief of Billboard in a statement. “We are thrilled to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success.”
Other award recipients at the Billboard Women in Music Awards include aespa, Ángela Aguilar, Erykah Badu, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Blackpink’s Jennie, Megan Moroney, Meghan Trainor, Muni Long and Tyla.
The awards show will be held at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, hosted by Laverne Cox.
Billboard Women in Music will air live on March 29 at 7 p.m. Pacific on VIZIO WatchFree+.
Tickets are on-sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
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Kate Middleton paid tribute on International Women’s Day to a teen cancer patient with whom the Princess of Wales had spent time with a month before the girl’s death last fall.
Liz Hatton died in November at age 17, just 10 months after being diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, a terminal cancer known as aggressive desmoplastic tumor.
“Celebrating the strength and creativity of Liz and Vicky Hatton,” Middleton wrote Saturday on X of the teen and her mother. “It was an honour meeting them both in Windsor in October. Liz’s memory lives on in Vicky’s unwavering resilience. Thank you for such a moving moment.”
Meeting Middleton had been on the teen’s bucket list, and in October the princess obliged. Hatton was bent on being a photographer, and she spent the rest of her young life fulfilling that dream.
To help further fill that bucket, Kate and husband Prince William invited Hatton to photograph an investiture ceremony he presided over in October, a month after the princess announced the end of her own months-long chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
“A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today,” the couple said on X at the time, signing it with a heart emoji followed by their initials “W&C.”
“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us,” the royals wrote.
Hatton was one of several girls and women the royal couple highlighted for International Women’s Day.
From combined wire reports