Michelle Obama Shares ‘Rare’ Casual Photo By Iconic Artist

The incomparable Michelle Obama photographed by Annie Leibovitz. 🖤📸

Styled by Meredith Koop.
Makeup by Carl Ray.
Braids by Njeri Radway. pic.twitter.com/3NARlzYnN5

— LEGENDARY LADE! 🇳🇬 (@LegendaryLade) November 21, 2025

Or, other observers may see it another way, including USA Today, calling the look “rare” for Obama and noting, “Dressed down in a dark gray henley shirt, lightly distressed blue jeans, a brown leather belt and complementing brown heeled suede boots, Obama’s eyes are closed peacefully as her braids flow in the wind for the photo.”

Last week, Obama gave a new update on reports that she was considering a run for the White House in 2028, but it’s not one that her fans wanted to hear. In an interview, the former first lady said she does not believe the United States is prepared to elect a woman — including her — as president. But during a Nov. 5 conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to promote her new book, The Look, Obama firmly dismissed the idea.

Obama, 61, has long been the focus of speculation from supporters who hope she might launch a White House bid, both during and after her time in her husband’s administration

She said the country “ain’t ready” for a woman to serve as president and made clear she has no plans to enter the 2028 race, People reported. “That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running, ‘cause you all are lying,’” added Michelle, before reiterating, “You’re not ready for a woman. You are not. So don’t waste my time.” As the friendly audience cheered, she added: “We got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it.”

“Well, as we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” said the former first lady, a reference to Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election – though there’s no evidence whatsoever that Harris was rejected for any reason other than more Americans preferred Trump’s policies

She infamously declared in 2008 when her husband became the Democratic party nominee that she was, for the first time, proud of America.

Obama responded, “Absolutely not,” reaffirming her long-standing position that she has no plans to seek public office.

“I’ve never wanted to be a politician,” Michelle continued at the time. “Nothing has changed in me. I want to serve. … There are so many ways to make an impact. Politics is not my thing. It’s as simple as that.”