Barack Obama and Michelle Obama stepped out one day after UFC fighter Josh Hokit called the former first lady a “man” at a White House event.
The couple attended the unveiling of their portrait at Barack’s presidential library in Chicago on Monday, June 15. The painting, which was the pair’s first commissioned portrait together, was done by Njideka Akunyili Crosby. It features dense layers of embedded images alongside the imagery of Barack, 64, and Michelle, 62, as they sit in an office setting.
“Barack and I were so honored to have @NjidekaAkunyiliCrosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center,” Michelle wrote via Instagram on Monday. “Her artistic brilliance shines through — and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary. We love it, and we think everyone who visits the Center will too!”
Michelle also included a clip of her and Barack greeting Crosby, 43, and seeing the finished piece of art for the first time.
UPDATE — 6/15/25, 9:53 a.m. ET: UFC CEO Dana White responded after fighter Josh Hokit received major backlash for calling former first lady Michelle Obama “a man” during his post-fight interview at UFC Freedom 250. “I understand that the Obama’s [sic] are public figures but I’m completely against saying nasty and false things about people’s […]
“Before we get any commentary in, we just got to soak it in,” Barack said while Michelle pointed out the art had all their “stories within the stories.”
Michelle gushed, “You got everything in there!”
Barack, for his part, had one minor grievance with the portrait and teased Crosby for making his hair gray.
“My only real question is how come you didn’t dye my hair in the photo?” he joked. “Don’t they usually touch it up a little bit?”
Both Barack and Michelle applauded Crosby for her hard work on the portrait and were ecstatic with the end result. Barack shared he was going to get a suit made that resembled the one she painted him in. Michelle also gushed about the chance of getting to be involved with Crosby’s work.
“You know how long I’ve been wanting this woman to do something with and for me?” she shared while giving the artist a hug. “We did it!”
Crosby added that it was “an honor” to create the portrait, which is featured in the presidential library.
CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty Images Former President Barack Obama made sure his wife, Michelle Obama, was celebrated with great fanfare on her 61st birthday. “Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,” Barack, 63, wrote via X on Friday, January 17. “You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace — and you […]
Barack and Michelle’s outing comes one day after Hokit, 38, made a controversial remark about the former first lady following his victory at the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House.
“Michelle Obama is a man,” Hokit declared on Sunday, June 14, in a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan after defeating fellow heavyweight Derrick Lewis. “Am I right, America?”
The Obamas have not addressed Hokit’s comment. Us Weekly previously reached out to Michelle’s representatives for comment but did not hear back.
The White House later responded to Hokit’s remark, with spokesman Steven Cheung telling CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday, “He had a great win last night. He showed toughness and the ability to pressure his opponent both on his feet and on the ground.”
