Michelle Obama is stepping into the conversation around Angel Reese—and she’s doing it without hesitation.
During a recent episode of her podcast IMO, which she co-hosts with her brother Craig Robinson, the former First Lady used the platform to publicly support Angel Reese while addressing the criticism that has followed the WNBA star.
“You are handling yourself beautifully,” Michelle Obama told Angel Reese during the conversation. “It’s not just what you do, but the way you carry yourself…you do it with a smile on your face with an excellent attitude. You are a special, special person.”
Reese acknowledged the significance of the moment, responding, “Thank you. It’s an honor coming from you, the queen.”
She also spoke candidly about the pressures that come with her visibility, particularly in media settings.
“I don’t think anybody will ever understand what I’ve been through,” Reese said. “I appreciate you guys for making this a safe space for me because… the media has not always been great for me.”
She went further, explaining how that tension has impacted her willingness to engage publicly. “I’ll take a fine… before I have to go to media and feel like my back is against the wall,” she said.
Michelle Obama didn’t stop at praise—she also delivered a direct message to Reese’s critics.
“Don’t mess with this girl. Don’t mess with her spirit. Do not mess with this angel. Stop it. Just stop it,” she said.
Reese’s profile continues to expand across sports and culture. In recent months, she became the first female athlete to wear her own signature sneaker on the cover of Vogue Australia, while also appearing in major fashion spaces like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Off the court, she has remained visible through viral moments, from courtside appearances supporting her brother Julian Reese during his NBA games to widely shared fashion posts.
