Former first lady Michelle Obama just launched a podcast called “IMO,” short for “In My Opinion.” But across the Atlantic, a UK-based podcast has been using that same name since 2020 – and they are not thrilled.
The British hosts, three brothers known as Uzoma, DT, and Marvin Mulinde, have built a strong following. Their podcast racks up around seven million monthly views across platforms, and a large chunk of that audience is American. That is where the problem kicks in.
Michelle Obama Is Yet to Respond
The UK team tried reaching out to Michelle Obama with a public plea on TikTok. They didn’t bash her. In fact, they called her an icon. But they are worried. With Michelle’s star power, they fear their podcast will get buried online.
Search engines and social platforms don’t always treat content fairly. When someone as famous as Michelle Obama puts out something with the same name, algorithms take sides. And those sides lean toward celebrity.
Still, they were hoping for a simple conversation – or maybe a compromise.
So far? Nothing. No email, no call, not even a “thanks, but no thanks.” Just silence from Michelle’s team. And with each day that passes, the UK podcast risks losing more traffic.
The Brits Hots are Respectfully Concerned
To be clear, the British hosts are not throwing shade. They have praised Michelle Obama and even said her journey inspires them. But admiration doesn’t cancel out concern.
They have worked hard to build their brand. Now, all that work might be overshadowed, not by a rival but by someone they actually respect. That is a strange spot to be in.
Not Everyone Is Loving Michelle’s New Show
While the former First Lady is known for her sharp mind and empathy, her new podcast has not exactly blown up. Critics say it is off to a rocky start, and ratings have not been great. Early reviews are lukewarm.
In her trailer, Michelle promised deep conversations and emotional honesty. But audiences are not totally sold yet. And that may be part of why the UK hosts feel so frustrated. The name clash feels unnecessary – and it is not even over a hit show (yet).
But even with her star power and charisma, the episode didn’t exactly dominate the charts. That gives even more weight to the UK team’s argument. If the name “IMO” does not bring Michelle huge success, why not let the original show keep its lane?
Search Woes and Brand Confusion
Here is the tech side of the issue. When people search for “IMO podcast,” Michelle’s version is going to pop up first. Her media machine is just that big. That means fewer clicks, listens, and views for the UK show.
That is not just annoying. It is a threat to their growth. The podcast world runs on visibility. If fans can’t find your show, it may as well not exist. And no matter how talented the UK team is, they can’t compete with Michelle Obama’s reach.
As we speak, it is still early days. Michelle could address it publicly. She could offer a different subtitle. Or she could do nothing. So far, it has been the last one.