Katt Williams and Michelle Obama? Yes please!

The legendary comedian got raw, reflective, and yes, hilarious on Obama and her brother Craig Robinson’s “IMO Podcast,” to promote his latest comedy tour, “The Golden Age” and he served up a layered memoir of sorts that moved from survival to service and beyond. Across nearly two hours, Williams traced a trajectory that offered life lessons. 

He shared how his childhood made him a voracious reader of thousands of books as well as a runaway teen who got himself emancipated after running away from his Jehovah’s Witness home with a Rottweiler in tow; and he also shared how he accidentally found comedy, became an adoptive father of 10, dealt with the loss of a child, and how his global travels (and meeting Prince) changed his life. 

For Williams, adopting and parenting were central. Williams said, “I didn't see that in the bingo cards.” He described stepping into parenthood when his son’s mother (who lived in another state) faced an addiction crisis, and her children landed in an orphanage. He answered the call, even though he had no connection to the kids, but as he told it, “They are the siblings of my son. And I did all the research, and I knew that it takes a million dollars to raise a child. Lord, are you… saying I’m gonna have 10 million dollars to take care of 10 kids? Fine. Let’s do it. I’m in. Let’s go.” Williams praised love over DNA and realized that his womanizing ways (he claimed to have a 5-bedroom home at the time with a woman in each room) would have to change and he’d have to be a family man and leave his bachelor superstar life behind.

As usual, Williams didn't shy away from dark truths. He was blunt and heartbreaking when he spoke of losing a child. He said, “Losing a child is probably the worst thing that can happen to you on this earth. There’s no recovery from it.” He said grief changed him and that comedy and joy became his survival tools.

The conversation also revealed more of his origin story. Williams was emancipated at 13, and he shared stories of moving to Miami alone, buying a mattress to sleep in unhoused encampments, and how his accidental comedy discovery led him to meeting Prince at 12, which changed his life’s trajectory.

Williams’ time in Haiti (a two-year family missionary stay) shaped him, too. He recalled learning Creole and French, and handing out life-saving “saltwater” tips for dehydrated infants. Williams called those years “magnificent.”

Throughout the chat, the two hosts steered Williams’ narrative with empathy (Obama hit him with repeated skepticism around a lot of his off-the-wall anecdotes, like becoming a pimp). The brother-sister duo celebrated Williams’ work ethic and asked him sharp questions about faith, family, and the meaning of success. Obama and Robinson painted a beautiful portrait of Williams, an artist whose life choices added layers to his punchlines.