Michelle Obama says she couldn’t be a “Real Housewife,” but she’d happily join “The Traitors,” adding that she’d only want a Housewives-style presence if it meant showing up for reunions. The comments come as her Netflix dating series “The Later Daters” — whic
Michelle Obama may be best known for life in the White House, but on a podcast stop this week she made something clear: if reality TV called her name, she’d choose “The Traitors” — not “Real Housewives.”
During an appearance on the “Lemme Say This” podcast, the former first lady talked about what kinds of shows she’d watch, and what she might actually do if she stepped on-screen herself. When it came to the “Real Housewives” franchise, she was firm.
“In my opinion, I couldn’t be a Real Housewife,” she said. “I would want to be on Traitors and I would want to be faithful and I would want to find the traitor.”
One of the podcast’s cohosts tried to bridge the gap by suggesting a middle-ground approach: joining “Housewives” as a “friend of,” a featured role that lets someone stir the pot without committing fully. Obama wasn’t buying it.
“If I’m going to be there, I’d want to be there for the reunions only. I would have questions. It’s like, ‘Why can’t we work this stuff out? Ladies, come on now, we’re grown.’”
The way she described it — wanting truth without the long grind of drama — sounded less like strategy and more like a personal boundary.
Obama already has reality TV horsepower. She executive produced the Netflix dating series “The Later Daters,” created through her production company, Higher Ground Productions. The eight-episode show follows singles in their 50s, 60s and 70s as they search for love in Atlanta.
After its premiere in November 2024, “The Later Daters” landed on Netflix’s Top 10 list.
Behind the scenes. Higher Ground’s senior vice president of nonfiction. Ethan Lewis. said the Obama brand can cut two ways. “It’s no secret that people feel like if it’s coming from the Obamas. that it’s going to be a specific thing and that maybe it’s not for them because of who it’s from. ” Lewis told The Hollywood Reporter. He added that Higher Ground’s goal is to reach beyond that assumption. “But we’re telling everyone’s story. The strategy is to develop a slate that feels broadly accessible for a really wide audience.”.
Michelle Obama’s involvement wasn’t distant. Lewis said she played a hands-on role “behind the scenes. from the initial concept all the way to postproduction.” He described how she gave notes on cuts. urged the team to lean into humor and comedy. and pushed to highlight the intergenerational aspect. “She was giving notes on cuts and wanting us to lean into the humor and the comedy. She was passionate and adamant about highlighting the intergenerational aspect,” Lewis added.
Lewis also pointed to the kinds of unscripted shows she gravitated toward. He said Higher Ground saw room to grow in that category, and discussed the shows Mrs. Obama liked. “We talked about the shows that Mrs. Obama liked. and the things that she was drawn to. and a lot of those fell into the love and relationship space. ” he recalled.
One title Lewis specifically called out was Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum,” describing it as a dating format that “shifted the perspective” and offered viewers a different lens on love.
During the press run for “The Later Daters. ” Obama appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” to talk about why the series mattered to her. “I have a lot of girlfriends who have lost spouses, who have divorced,” she said. “They’re in new chapters of their lives. And we talk amongst our group about ‘How do you date?’”.
She also played a “red flags” game alongside the show’s dating coach and one of its daters. Asked about a man discussing politics on a first date, she joked, “That’s not a red flag. I want to know. Let me not waste any time.”
For now, Netflix has not confirmed whether “The Later Daters” will return for a second season.
Michelle Obama The Traitors Real Housewives Lemme Say This podcast The Later Daters Higher Ground Productions Netflix Ethan Lewis Love on the Spectrum Jennifer Hudson Show dating show
So she’s picking The Traitors because she doesn’t like drama?? sounds like she’s exactly the drama lol
I don’t get why people care what she watches. Like okay she’d be on a game show and then ask “where’s the traitor” ???
Wait so she said she’d “only want to be there for reunions” which implies she’s already seen the cast and knows who did what?? Seems sus. Also Real Housewives reunion episodes are like half the show anyway so what’s the point.
Real Housewives is literally about grown people acting messy, and Traitors is about finding the liar, so yeah that checks out. But I bet she’d get eliminated first because she’s too polite. Also “Later Daters” in Atlanta sounds like it’s just set up for like 2 episodes then done.