IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson Let’s Talk About Hair
Nov 12, 2025
In a captivating discussion, actress Marsai Martin shares her hair journey and the significance of representation in media. Renowned stylist Yene Damtew elaborates on the importance of salon culture, hair care, and the communal experience it fosters. Michelle Obama reflects on her own hair evolution while navigating public life. The group addresses both the challenges and triumphs of Black hair, touching on topics like the Crown Act, hair discrimination, and the journey towards embracing natural beauty.
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Childhood Hair Struggles
- Michelle Obama remembers wash day as a battle using a kitchen sink and wrong products that stripped oils from her hair.
- She felt imprisoned by her thick hair and endured hours of detangling and hot-comb straightening as a child.
Set As A Salon For Hair Experimentation
- Marsai Martin describes Black-ish hair styling as her salon, exposing her to many styles daily on set.
- Working with stylist Roxy Lindsay taught her new possibilities for her hair texture and creativity.
Representation Shapes Self-Image
- Michelle Obama links lack of Black representation in media to poor self-image in young Black girls.
- She argues seeing Black hair and Black characters celebrated is vital for self-worth and identity.