Kumail Nanjiani debunks Michelle Obama dating rumor at 2026 Oscars: 'I’ve never met her'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: At the 98th Academy Awards held on Sunday, March 15, actor Kumail Nanjiani addressed a viral rumor claiming he was dating former first lady Michelle Obama.

The speculation had circulated widely online despite one basic fact: Nanjiani said he has "never even met her." The actor explained that the rumor spread so far that it even reached his wife, writer and producer Emily V Gordon, whom he has been married to since 2007.

Kumail Nanjiani addresses Michelle Obama dating rumor, but says 'it’s a pretty good rumor to have'

While speaking with CNN and Variety at the Oscars, Nanjiani was asked to pick a question from a random bowl of questions. A reporter explained, “We want you to pick a question from a random bowl of questions.”

Nanjiani asked, “What can it be?” The reporter replied that there were “a lot of gotchas.” Nanjiani responded jokingly, “Are there really? We need to get on the same page with this.”

After selecting a question, Nanjiani read aloud, “What’s the most ridiculous rumor you’ve heard about yourself?” His answer immediately referenced the viral speculation involving Michelle.

“Well, I heard I was dating Michelle Obama,” he said. When asked when the rumor started, Nanjiani explained, “This was like in the last year, and I’ve never met her.” A reporter jokingly followed up by asking, “You don’t have her number?” Nanjiani replied, “No, I don’t have her number.”

Another reporter then clarified, “So you’re debunking that rumor right here.” Nanjiani responded, “I’m debunking it. I mean, I think it’s a pretty good rumor to have.” Reporters joked that the situation could now be discussed publicly, saying that she could invite him onto her podcast so they could talk about how the rumor started.

Nanjiani replied that the appearance might actually happen soon. “I was supposed to do it last year, and I couldn’t, but I think I’m doing it very soon,” he said.

Kumail Nanjiani previously discussed the rumor on Caleb Hearon's podcast

Earlier, Nanjiani also discussed the rumor during an appearance on the 'So True podcast' hosted by Caleb Hearon. The actor said he was "baffled" by how widely the claim spread despite the fact that he had never met Michelle.

“I was so excited!” Nanjiani said while recounting the story. According to him, a mutual friend even approached his wife, Emily, about it, “My friend, our mutual friend pulled Emily aside and was like, ‘Hey, so I heard that Kumail and Michelle Obama are like doing it.’ And she was like, she wasn’t even upset, but multiple people brought it up to me.”

Nanjiani emphasized again that the rumor had no basis. “I have never met Michelle Obama,” he said.

During the conversation, Hearon brought up another long-running internet claim that former President Barack Obama had been involved with actress Jennifer Aniston. Hearon joked, “But what I’m saying is, my friend Kumail, you’re up there with Jen Aniston in terms of affair rumors.”

Nanjiani responded humorously, suggesting that in both imagined scenarios the Obamas were “slumming it,” before clarifying that he meant “no shade to Jen.”