During a recent event that marked the first stop on former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book tour, fans couldn’t stop praising Tina Knowles’ radiant appearance. Michelle hosted a conversation at The Theater at MGM National Harbor in the evening to kicked off a celebration for Tina’s new memoir Matriarch: A Memoir. With their dynamic energy, the two women turned a night into a social media moment.
Recently, Michelle shared snippets from the night via a carousel on Instagram with followers going crazy over photos of her and Tina in outfits that were effortlessly chic standing with one another. Tina wore a black dress with sheer sleeves and a sculpted overlay, and a silver base that caught the light just enough. Her auburn hair was down and parted to the side, and she was wearing statement earrings and diamond bracelet. The sharp all black suit made up of a double breasted blazer and straight leg pants exuded Michelle’s timeless confidence. She had her braids pulled up in a high ponytail, and wore silver rings and matching earrings.
It was hailed with social media posts of admiration. “Michelle’s tall silhouette and that tailored suit is EVERYTHING!!!” That suit on Michelle is perfectly tailored, another said. Michelle looks so good I told everyone she looks good 😩❤️🔥 while others saw the weightloss but not Skinny as in” she looks so good or fat” Someone commented, “wonderful: Michelle has lost weight but looks so good with her height 😍.” But some doubted if her health was okay. One commented: ‘It took me a while to realize it’s Michelle Obama with that weight loss.’
Within the frenzy, Michelle shared a video in which she and Tina happily line danced to “Boots on the Ground,” thanking and admiring the moment. Speaking with @MsTinaKnowles at her first book tour stop for Matriarch was such a joy! Tina, thank you for your honesty, your humor, and your heart. Matriarch is not just a memoir, it’s a love letter to Black women, and our stories, our families, and this unbroken strength that binds us thusly.”
Singer Ledisi also joined the party during the event. Later this week, Michelle and co-hosted her brother Craig Robinson will release their full conversation with Tina on her podcast In My Opinion.
Tina seemingly posted her own Instagram reflections on the event, calling it a ‘dream.’ She shared several photos from the evening on Instagram, writing that she was honored to be on the stage with Michelle and position, with a loving, laughing, and powerful Black women surrounding her. She still returned to Instagram a few hours later, still blown away by the impact of the night. She wrote: ‘We laughted, we got emtional, we banded, we did, but most of all we were honest and straightforward.’ Even Michelle taught me part of the dance, she added.
Far from over, the Matriarch tour. Tina will make her next appearance in Los Angeles at the Wiltern Theater with actress and singer Keke Palmer as moderator and Jennifer Hudson taking to the stage. New Orleans with Tamron Hall, Houston with Kelly Rowland and Atlanta with Tyler Perry have additional stops with promises of continued celebration of community, strength and legacy.
Already a success is the memoir released April 22, 2025. Still in the top ten, it debuted on the New York Times bestseller list as a #1 New York Times bestseller. Recently it was featured on Oprah’s Book Club and you can now purchase it from major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Class Bookstore.
The open conversation with Tina following Michelle’s appearance on Diary of a CEO where she discussed being in the public eye regarding her marriage to Barack Obama. However, in response to rumours that she and her husband were having problems, Michelle replied: ‘If I had problems with my husband, everyone would know about it.’ She said she wasn’t a martyr, would likely speak up publicly if there were major issues. Talking to both participants together, her brother joked, ‘If there was something that was not okay, I would be in a podcast with him.’
It wasn’t just an appearance at an MGM National Harbor book tour stop, but rather, a celebration of strength, style and stories that matter as two powerful women came together to memorialize.
