Mrs. O on Today
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 10:06 AM Mrs. O wears a dress by Rachel Roy (which first debuted in the summer of 2009, seen here) for her multi-part interview with Mr. Matt Lauer for the Today Show. In the second video, Matt asks Mrs. O a few questions about her style (kisses and hugs for that!). A few of Mrs. O's responses follow below.
On making her fashion choices: "I'll figure out what I'm going to wear over the course of a week or even two, so that I don't have to think about it."
On dealing with the attention: "I've learned: wear what I like, wear what's comfortable...and that really depends on the occasion."
And the criticism: "I don't take in a lot of feedback in that regard because you don't want comments like that to influence who you are. You can't feed on any negative. I just sort of find a way to keep that out, and if there's any criticism that's helpful, I take that in and try to learn from it."
Rachel Roy
Reader Comments (37)
Mrs. O looked ravishing and I liked the contrast of the top and bottom parts of this dress. I have a question about her pearl necklace. This must be the one the Prez gifted her as I've seen her wearing it many times. I'm sure this is a set of GENUINE pearls but just curious to know if anyone knows it's genuine. I have heard only costume jewelry pearls are that big of a size. But i've also seen some South Sea pearls that are large in size. Can anyone please verify? thank you.
NIce interview.
I like the additional of the necklace.
It was interesting to see her answer some of the questions not as confidently or smoothly as I've known Michelle to do, I think because it was very specific questions on issues that could lead to bad quotes in the media if she didn't answer it a certain way (questions on the economy, her husband's approval ratings, etc), not ones about first dance at the wedding or what kind of First Lady would she want to be.
love her dress she wear black shoes and her dress is selfless it must be warm at the white house becouse she is not wearring a sweater. love her belt to she wear.
Smoking hot !
It's so interesting how different people will interpret the same thing so differently. I didn't sense a lack of confidence or anything like that when Mrs. O was answering the questions about her husband's approval ratings or the economy, etc. I thought she answered them very well. Perhaps she stopped to think about the answer, but it didn't seem like a notable awkwardness or anything like that. I'm sure you would answer a question about your first dance at your wedding much more light-heartedly than a question about the economy or criticism of your husband too. The nature of the questions begs for a different tone and different type of answer. Moreover, I'm sure you've recalled your first dance much more frequently than issues related to the economy or your husband's approval ratings, therefore you would understandably be more prepared to discuss those personal things.
I thought it was a lovely interview and look forward to Mrs. O's continued involvement on issues of childhood obesity.
On a style front, this has always been one of my favorite dresses and she looks lovely in it. I think she's going through a pearl phase...lol. I can understand that, right now I'm giong through a diamond necklace phase and I'm wearing the same small diamond necklace almost every day with almost every outfit.
I think the jewelry choices show the fine line Michelle has to walk--she can't be too flashy but she also wants to be nicely accessorized. Wearing jewelry her husband gave her balances the two.
This isn't one of my favorite dresses but it looked good on TV.
The FIRST thing I said to myself after viewing the video was, "WOW, now that is ONE Highly CONFIDENT " First Lady!! I am sooo proud of her. Any pauses I felt were "thought provoking", which I've noticed that she has always done with live interviews. Look back...just like her husband. She LISTENS intently, THINKS about the question, and then ELOQUENTLY gives her answer. Never a "what I meant to say was...". She is truly someone I've inspired to.
Love her. Just by being herself, she is helping to breakdown alot of misunderstanding about what it means to be black and what is means to be both black and female in America. I continue to pray for the health and happiness for her family.
Mrs O is intelligent, genuine, cool, collected, & HOT-- she ROCKS!!!!! thanks Mrs T for posting the interview and for this site -- u also rock :)
I thought her interview with Matt was terrific. She comes across as a loyal, honest, home grown American lady.
Her hair was confusing when comparing front to back, but she looked terrific overall and her skin remains amazing.
Ah yes, I remember and love this outfit. Mrs. O looks great in that color palette.
I think Debra Chaffin hit the nail on the head -the O's don't do sound bytes. They really do listen, take in, digest, and give thoughtfully crafted responses. Of course they are going to give similar answers to the same questions. Mrs. O's cadences have not changed since she started the campaign process, IMO.
And anyway, how does one handle Matt Lauer's questions and comments about the "greying hair" situation?!
As Meredith says, "She's just a very very likable person."
Once again, Mrs O shows she's an intelligent, articulate woman. In the interview I felt a sense of her being more settled into her current role as our First Lady, that after a year now she probably has a more realistic understanding of life in the White House, and for that matter, life in the political whirlwind that is official Washington DC. She and her family have made a good effort to be a part of their community, as has been shown in a number of posting on this site. To me she remains as genuine an individual as she first appeared during the campaign.
On the fashion front (since that is the main focus here) I feel her style has become more focused, with simpler, clean lined outfits lately, that really compliment her great figure. I continue to be most proud of both her and the President, and their willingness to keep moving forward to make this nation of ours a "more perfect union" God bless them both!
I enjoyed this interview. This dress is one of my faves of all time, so I am glad to get to see it again.
I think she answered the questions thoughtfully and confidently. Of course, she is going to choose her words carefully. I mean who wouldn't with the type of media we have today. (I know some don't, but they are not as smart as Mrs. O and plus she is not trying to arouse controversy)
And I'm with you Bevi, what did he want her to say, "oh yeah, my husband looks old as hell now". Come on now, be for real.
That dress is one of my all-time favorites in her closet!
I miss the look of Michelle in the summer 2009 photo. Some of it is the hairstyle, for sure. Hurrah for that hairstyle! The pallette of makeup colors then is splendid also, and I do love the dress. A lot of the "missing," though, has to do with the eyebrows. The eyebrows in recent months have become ever more thin, high, and appearing painted on. She looks as if she is perpetually surprised. In my view, Michelle's eyebrows of yore were much more appealing, flattering, and real.
Thank you Mrs. T for the post. I really enjoyed Mrs. Obama, who is always poised and has a great sense of humor. She always looks fantastic!
For the posters that are raving over the frock, I couldn't agree more. It is simply sensational. I love the style and colour and the pearls set it off nicely.
As for the interview, I think she came across as very professional and composed, I saw no nerves or hesitation. I would have been sweating buckets trying to answer some of those questions without making a pickle of myself. Please remember, this woman mentored a man ( an intern) who went on to become a President, she was born for greatness.
JMH, you took the words out of my mouth. I watched the interview and covered up her eybrows. What a difference if they were a little lower (I do think they are penciled in but it can be done skillfully so that they look real) and perhaps a little darker, fuller. Not Joan Crawford full, but fuller. And the bangs would just soften her look. I think this haircut ages her a little. Perhaps the lack of bangs draws more attention to the brows. The FLOTUS is heavy-lidded like me and when the brows are not shaped correctly it can make one look tired.
On the other hand, I love, love, love this dress!
Great interview! She looked fantastic.
Articulate, Poised,Comfortable,Professional and Confident. I always liked this dress especially with
the pearls
Couldn't agree with you more Jestina........Truly this woman was born for this roll.
When Matt during the interview stated that she was stated as one of the HOTTEST women in
Maxim, I just loved her reaction and she said that she is not that interesting! REALLY?!!!! So why
do we blog all day about her!!
Interesting dress. Pearls look great with the neckline and blends in with the white
colours in the floral design. Her hairline looks healthy and shiny.
The interview - Mrs. O is obviously very well prepared for her interviews. Exudes
grace, confidence, strength - but here's what I LOVE, about My First Lady, she
usually throws in a bit of HUMOUR to put the moment at ease and remind us, that she's
human, 'one of us' and still be diplomatic & inspirational when she speaks.
I completely adore this woman!! She is terrific!
I love Mrs. Obama. She's a ray of sunshine in these dreary economic times. God Bless America!
Go Michelle!! Watching this interview just reminded me why I like the first lady so much. She's as authentic as they come, she is nobody's fool and America should be (and I believe is) honored to have her as their first lady.
And she looks good too!
God bless you Michelle Obama :)
oh, And the president's grey hair does nothing but make him cuter. Michelle's man.... :) I love these people.
Hmm. I wonder where my post from yesterday went?
I don't love this dress. It's a bit dim and gloomy for me. She's still beautiful, but I prefer something a bit more crisp.
The interview was good, I wish there had been more of it! There's something refreshing about watching Michelle answer frankly, honestly, and with intelligence. So many people are media trained to death and it makes interviews pointless. She demonstrated beautifully that a lot of politics today is simply a sewer and that she's concentrating on stuff that matters. Nicely done.
What an amazingly authentic woman. This country should be proud. (And her approval rating should be higher--in the 90th percentile.)
So I could not not post these pics from yahoo of Mrs. O and her hubby today at the Prayer breakfast. Is this love or what?
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//100204/480/77929b43963e
487bbf36688b97193b21/#photoViewer=/100204/ids_photos_ts/r3173386262.jpg
You guys there is a part 2 to the interview.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35233022#35233022
Wow Michelle really looks like her Brother specially when they smile and walk. I really like her hair cut but the way she style it doesn't look good for her big face. I liked her hair style when the state of union address day.
I prefer bangs or hair swept to face on Mrs. O and myself, really on all women... it just makes us look better and younger. Hair away from the face just reminds me of my grandmother or 65 y/o aunt. But I do know someone hate hair in their face because it makes them hot, gets in the way, etc.
Nyon- thanks for sharing part 2 and those oh so cute pictures!
Nic John,
I think she's still feeling out the bob. She looks best when her hair has some volume and bounce and some fringe across her forehead, like her hair was for the White House Easter egg roll.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85924767/AFP
Her hair lately has been too flat and stiff. I like the cut but the styling is off.
According to the Huffington Post the Narcisso R. dress the FLOTUS wore today at the National Prayer Breakfast is the same one she wore last year at the joint session of Congress, only today there was a sweater under it giving it the illusion of having sleeves. Two great pictures are posted on HP. Interesting that again she chose to wear purple for an inter-party inter-denominational gathering. Her hair and makeup look much better today. Maybe she was just tired yesterday (not surprising with as busy a schedule as she keeps).
Her pencil thin eyebrows look lovely when her face is in repose, but when she is speaking, they are the only unnatural thing about her. Did her own eyebrows disappear from over-plucking? Surely there must be a way to give her more believable brows [in this case, thin is NOT in!] -- and to put them where they belong!?
I am fascinated by her ability to handle herself so beautifully. We have two very bright sparks at the helm. Style AND substance; all I want is even more plain speaking of hard truths. Oh, and more of that fabulous wavy 'do she wore for the Stevie Wonder event! Womanly, chic and sexy all at the same time!
Ooo, well done Nyon! I'm watching it now!
(And I feel much better now for having watched the bit that felt like it was missing yesterday!)
My Goodness...I Love our FLOTUS! I couldn't be more proud of her and how she represents our country! And she looks smashing while doing so! She is the Real Deal!
I liked this dress by Rachel Roy the first time that FLOTUS wore it and it still looks good on her. I'm just a fanatic for a strand of pearls and this strand does it for me. She seemed relaxed and thoughtful in her interview with Matt (with his fine self!). How she remains gracious with all of the negativity swirling about is a testament to her character and love for her family. When you think about it, almost all of our First Ladies have been put to the test....I just happen to adore this one the most! No apologies, our Michelle is looking better and better and we like it!