Generally well received by critics, "The First Lady" debuted at number two on the U.S. "Billboard" 200 and number one on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums with opening week sales of 157,000 units. It remains Evans' highest ranking album on either chart, and the best first week sales of her career. By the end of 2005, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting shipments exceeding 500,000 in the United States alone. In support of the album, Evans embarked on a concert tour, The First Lady Tour, in the United States and Europe in mid-2005. In 2006, "The First Lady" was nominated for Best Female R&B/Soul Album at the 20th Soul Train Music Awards.