Michelle Obama Crashes the Oscars, Introduces Best Picture: Here's Why

FLOTUS was "honored to present the award and celebrate the artists who inspire us all"

By Alyssa Toomey Feb 25, 2013 6:23 AMTags
Michelle ObamaKevin Winter/Getty Images

Confused why Michelle Obama crashed the Oscars? You're not alone.

But it happened. And surprisingly, the unexpected shindig all went down live.

"Thank you Jack, and welcome to the White House everyone. I'm so honored to introduce the nominees for Best Picture," Obama said as she shimmered in the same Naeem Khan dress she wore to the Governors Ball. "And to help celebrate the movies that lift our spirits, broaden our minds and transport us to places we have never imagined."

The FLOTUS—who completed her elegant look with chandelier earrings and trendy new bangs—went on to detail the lessons we can learn from the Best Picture nominees, noting these films teach us about love, life and achieving your dreams.

"These lessons apply to all of us no matter who we are or what we look like or where we come from or who we love, but they are especially important for our young people. Every day, through engagement in the arts, our children learn to open their imagination, to dream just a little bigger and to strive every day to reach those dreams. And I want to thank all of you here tonight for being part of that vitally important work," she said before tossing back to Jack Nicholson at the Dolby Theatre.

So, what's the story behind Obama's surprise appearance?

"The Academy Awards approached the First Lady about being a part of the ceremony," Kristina Schake, Communications Director to the First Lady, said in a statement. " As a movie lover, she was honored to present the award and celebrate the artists who inspire us all—especially our young people—with their passion, skill and imagination."

Well, there ya have it.

Congratulations to Argo and Ben Affleck, who took home the coveted Best Picture award. Who needs a Best Director nom when you have the First Lady's stamp of approval, right?