HGTV’s annual competition series “Rock the Block” is routinely one of the network’s highest-rated shows each year. Millions of viewers tune in to watch their favorite HGTV stars go head-to-head, renovating identical homes in the same neighborhood. But many of those HGTV personalities were stunned to learn that a former First Lady is among those millions of fans tuning in each season.
On May 13, 2025, Michelle Obama told comedian Amy Poehler on her “Good Hang” podcast that she loves watching HGTV — a favorite pastime she previously shared on another podcast in April. The two gleefully gabbed about their favorite real estate and renovation shows, including “House Hunters,” and Obama revealed that “Rock the Block” is among her favorites, sharing fun details about the series.
“Rock the Block” host Ty Pennington was thrilled by the First Lady’s ringing endorsement and shared some of her comments on Instagram, writing, “Well this just made my whole darn week! Thank you @michelleobama for the tuning into our show #RockTheBlock 🙌🏼🤓🏡”
Former First Lady Michelle Obama & Amy Poehler Geeked Out Over ‘House Hunters’
When Poehler asked Obama on her podcast what she does to relax and “zoom out” when life feels too serious, Obama explained that in the same way her husband, former President Barack Obama, always has golf on in the background, she has HGTV on.
“I love HGTV, let’s talk about it,” Poehler quipped, and Obama immediately started talking about “House Hunters,” the longest-running program on the network. Launched in 1999, new half-hour episodes of the show still premiere most evenings.
“There’s something so soothing about the arc of that (show),” Obama said, as Poehler emphatically agreed. “We just like looking at people’s houses!”
“But do you prefer when the budget is a low-budget house or a high-budget house?” Obama asked. “Because sometimes I feel a way, you know, especially (with) ‘House Hunters International.'”
“Okay, I’m obsessed with ‘House Hunters International,'” Poehler replied, marveling with Obama about the exotic and charming places clients always find, no matter their budgets. They also laughed about how much they love watching people start with a long wish list and a low budget, only to realize they’ll have to compromise.
HGTV’s social media team created a funny post with some of Obama’s comments and captioned it, “Michelle Obama gushing about us on @goodhangwithamy? Nobody move!!!”
HGTV Stars Thrilled by Michelle Obama’s ‘Rock the Block’ Fandom
Obama said she loves “all the (home) makeover stuff” on HGTV, but when she discovered Poehler wasn’t familiar with “Rock the Block,” the former First Lady launched into a full explanation of the competition show, proving she’s a true fan.
“Well, this is when they get all the designers from all the other shows,” Obama explained, “and they come on to one block of newly built houses from scratch, and they compete for rooms to see each week — like, they’ll do the living room and the kitchen, right? So the designers go in, they have a week or whatever to redo that area, and then they’re judged by other designers.”
“And then they win and they collect points until they finish the whole house,” Obama continued. “It’s an amazing concept.”
“That seems like the highest budget in the world,” Poehler laughed, and Obama exclaimed, “That’s what I’m thinking! I think that the whole time! It’s like, how do you do that?”
Pennington, who has hosted all six seasons of “Rock the Block,” posted an excerpt of the interview and his fellow HGTV stars — many whom have competed on the show — were just as amazed as he was.
“Fixer to Fabulous” star Jenny Marrs wrote, “What?!! 🔥👏” and “100 Day Dream Home” star Mike Kleinschmidt chimed in, “HOW COOL IS THIS! 🙌”
“Married to Real Estate” star Egypt Sherrod posted three applause emoji and current “Rock the Block” competitor Cole DeBoer, from “Down Home Fab,” shared three emoji, too: “😎😎😎”
“Renovation Aloha” stars Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama, who are also competing on season 6 of “Rock the Block,” commented, “DOPE 🔥🤙🏽”
Season 6 of “Rock the Block” currently airs on Monday nights on HGTV, and every season is available to stream on Max and Discovery+.
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HGTV Stars Stunned as Michelle Obama Proves She’s a Huge ‘Rock the Block’ Fan