Michelle Obama Announces 'Argo' As Best Picture

Michelle Obama named Argo the winner of the best picture award at the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday.

The First Lady’s appearance via satellite to announce the best picture of the year was a surprise at the Oscar ceremony. She presented the award live from the Diplomatic Room of the White House wearing a silver Naeem Khan dress – once again earning praise for her fashion choices.

Before revealing Argo as the winner, the First Lady said that this year’s films, “took us back in time and all around the world. They made us laugh. They made us weep and made us grip our armrests just a little tighter. They taught us that love can endure against all odds and transform our minds in the most surprising ways. And they reminded us that we can overcome any obstacle if we dig deep enough and fight hard enough and find the courage to believe in ourselves.”

Argo, Ben Affleck’s film about the CIA/Hollywood joint effort to rescue American diplomats during the Iranian hostage crisis, had gained considerable steam throughout awards season. After the movie was awarded Oscars for adapted screenplay and editing, it became clear it would also be taking home the award for picture of the year. Affleck, who was snubbed in the best director category, is only the fourth director with a winning film to not get nominated for helming it.

Michelle Obama had been approached by the Academy to present Oscar night’s biggest award, a spokeswoman for the First Lady told the Washington Post. “As a movie lover, she was honored to present the award and celebrate the artists who inspire us all,” she said, “especially our young people — with their passion, skill and imagination.”

—Chelsea Regan

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