+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

Michelle Obama On Oscar Appearance Haters: 'Absolutely Not Surprising'

Mar 1, 2013, 22:51 IST

GettyFirst Lady Michelle Obama surprised viewers of Sunday's Academy Awards when she was beamed in via video from the White House to present "Argo" with the Best Picture award alongside Jack Nicholson.

Advertisement

But not everyone was happy to see the FLOTUS.

Conservative media pundits argued the awards show should have been "an Obama-free zone" and Twitter users created the hashtag #NextMichelleObamaAppearance, humorously suggesting the first lady will next be seen “Announcing the next pope” and “Driving the pace car at Indy 500."

But the First Lady appeared on the "Today Show" Friday morning and defended her Oscar's appearance.

"That's just the nature of life," Obama told "Today" contributor Kelly Wallace in Springfield, Mo., while promoting her Let's Move campaign. "I mean, we live in a time when there are bloggers and tweeters and 24-hour news and everyone has a voice in this town square and it's a big one."

Advertisement

"Overall, it's good," Mrs. Obama continued. "But that means that at any point and given time, somebody's not gonna like what you do. That's just the nature of things."

But perhaps Harvey Weinstein should be taking some of the flak too, as it's the movie mogul who arranged for the appearance from the White House after his daughter suggested the idea.

As for how the cameo was kept a secret, show producer Craig Zadan told The Hollywood Reporter, "The planning [of a trip to D.C. for an initial meeting] of it was like 'Argo' -- it was a CIA mission, it was so complicated. We didn't even want anyone to know where we were going."

On show day, Michelle's appearance was intentionally kept off the show's run sheets so it wouldn't leak.

After Sunday's Oscar telecast, Zadan revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that when the idea was initially pitched to the first lady, her response was: "Yes, I think it's a great idea. We watch movies all the time at the White House. Let's do it."

Advertisement

Relive Michelle Obama's Oscar moment below:

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article