Michelle Obama Watch

Dear First Lady:
I hope you received my pre- edition book which is for children (and Parents)
Titled ” LOVE AND JOY ”
I mailed it twice and I wish you read it and give some comments

I love her. She doesn’t act arrogant. Dresses like others but with taste and class. She is not into EXPENSIVE DESIGNERS OUTFIT in such a bad economy. She is extremely inteligent, beautiful and kind while acting like a normal person. I adore her for her charachter and admire her family.

We never had a first lady such as Michelle Obama.
She is unique. She is a loving mother, loving wife and a big role model for all women.
She has the class but is humble. She is highly educated and intelligent and use it for making a change in our country.
The best first lady, the best mom and the best wife.
Who can not love her?

Gina – Not sure what there is to understand about Iman’s INSANE statement… it’s simply FACTUALLY DEAD WRONG — FALSE STATEMENT!

Don’t need to dump on anyone to stand by Mrs. O, so will simply restrict my comments to what motivation she may have had for making a neurotic statement — uh…. maybe seeking publicity/chasing controversy to whip up some retail sales (Just yesterday 5/14, I read that a new report shows sharpest drop in retail sales in 54 years or so). If she needed the publicity, Iman’s statement was a major business blunder which is going to really HURT her business model if anyone’s paying attention…. and here’s why…

1st. is she aware how many of her loyal consumers are in the demographic that is absolutely head over heals in love with Mrs. O?? Regardless of what she thinks, it was a very silly and extremely costly poor business judgment!!

How can you lead in the business of peddling impressions of skin deep “beauty” to people of color and create a hierarchy of what that is? I would presume her marketing would have to say that everyone is beautiful…. if not, whom would she qualify so the rest of us simply won’t bother buying her products in trying “to be” beautiful as she has declared her fictional standard is not for everyone! I can hardly believe that this even needs to be said. If her statement was not too silly to be dangerous, I would not have even bothered.

Recall– she published a book to promote the launch of her business presumably to explain and assert that THERE IS NO single standard for beauty (I believe this was explicitly stated and I barely took a glance through the pages at a book store when it was first being promoted — did not go looking for it)……… or was her book simply focused on shades of skin (which would be really sick and we will not make this attribution to her) — but in this context, what the heck was Mrs. Iman speaking of????? Is she out of her mind to presume to make a public statement on what may be a matter of personal preference — in which case it was ill conceived and irresponsible knowing the gravitas of the subject and the popularity of of Mrs. O.

Is she now aware that many from her (our part of the world as I’m also East African) have for long wondered what in the world people see in her — to be sure I’m not among them, but she MUST know this. I’m sure she does. Even her preferences, if this is what she’s expressing, cannot be unrelated to her own features (which I presume she believes qualify as “beautiful” whatever she means by the word – and in my own view indeed she does) which then means her definition of beauty is somehow culturally constructed and it is within that construction that she is judged as not standing out at all! And yet, this would still fail to explain her statement b/c we don’t need to know/nor do we care to know her private thoughts/impression (does Iman like eating turkey or tuna for lunch?? who cares? and here she’s speaking about our nation’s First Lady and not her lunch or some such trivia). She has to assume responsibility for the privilege she enjoys as a celebrity — by that I mean, to watch what she says in public statements even when the statement is completely false as it is in this case, and so ridiculous as to simply indicate a maladjusted state of mind — allbeit, I’m sure temporary.

Michelle is among the most stunning women with a smile that can melt any heart that beats, eyes that beam and alltogether beauty that stands w/out make-up as our beautiful First Lady has done on occasion showing by doing and reminding us that we can play with make-up but that it’s entirely optional and does not define us. Moreover, she just does not have anything that benefits from embellishment. I am willing to bet that Iman never makes important public appearances without tons of make-up.

Perhaps, Ms. O’s implicit suggestion that we can exude exquisite beauty without pounds of make-up and false lashes/etc. posed a threat to Iman’s presumed empire and peddling of play things that she would hope would be viewed as a necessity by every woman of color………..well Mrs. Iman, if you have not noticed, Mr. and Mrs. O have brought us to the dawn of what is truly A NEW DAY! I keep learning of this more and more every day — and here you have helped illustrate the point.

My guess is Iman’s statement may have been inadvertently perhaps (or so I hope) inspired by a probable slide in market share (probably largely due to economy). However, not sufficient cause to flip out and show how undone she can be in public. We love you too Iman — but you cannot believe that you alone hold our attention.

Mrs. O has trumped nearly everyone for our affection –for her physical beauty, her stellar character, her brilliance, implicitly we know she must be extremely disciplined, organized and focused on a level we all wish we were. She inspires confidence and makes it exciting to get up in the morning knowing that what we aspire to is achievable (and I don’t mean the First Lady bit) but the much larger part of her story which is the fullness of her life, the completeness of her person! She is all that you can be!!

Mrs. O, I and many citizens of many nations across the globe hold you in our thoughts and thank you and pray for you for inspiring us with your light. To say we hold you in very high regard simply falls short….

Iman, thx for giving me a chance to express what are heartfelt and carefully considered thoughts and feelings on this exemplary woman’s extraordinary light. Mr. Barack (indeed blessed is right) Obama and their children are extremely fortunate. We are also lucky to see her light cast on all of us living at this time. Few will disagree with anything I’ve said. It’s simply a fact! She is flawless!

So disappointed in Iman.

First of all, Michelle didn’t sign up for the runway. She has a college degree, a law degree, chose to practice law for a minute, became an administrator in a hospital, etc. She is a mom to two girls, a President’s wife and First Lady of the United States!

What does any of this have to do with her looks? Obviously, she has to be very conscious of the way she looks and is presented because the media would be all over that. BW, why do we always have to give one another such a hard time!

I think it’s very tacky and classless, with all of Michelle’s accomplishments, for Iman to point out what she’s not (“…a great beauty) or make any statements about her looks that can be taken out of context!

Black women who have the mic should be careful about letting the media back us into a corner to where we’re commenting on the looks of successful black women. Have we ever heard about famous white models commenting on Barbara Bush’s or Hillary’s looks? NO!

Iman just seems to have some issues with African American women, since she’s been told all of her career by white and black folks that she doesn’t look “fully” black american, I remembering reading those news stories about how people put her on this pedestal and she reveled in being able to separate herself from AA women.

Can’t handle it now that Michelle is the talk of the town, so here comes Iman to try to bring her down a peg. Women are already sensitive about the way we look and I thought that Iman’s comments where unnecessary. It’s a shame that we always have cutting/backhanded words for each other but won’t dare comment on the average looks of famous white women or non black women. The media doesn’t even have to throw stones because they can always find black people who will do it for them.

Relax people, Everyone is getting too sensitive about every word that is said. Not everyone says the same thing the same way.

Just dropped by to read MOW’s comments on this interview, before writing myself for Michelle-Style. I’m sure Iman meant well, but for me the comment falls into the larger category — not of “kids say the darndest things” — but “women say the darndest things . . . about each other.”

I think the majority of us are a little speechless here. Glad to read you’re calling for a moment of meditation, and your MOW headline leaves no doubt about your own reaction.

I ask myself: “if Fox News made the same comment in an editorial or style piece”, then what? I’m no friend of Fox; you know that. But monitoring the news for fairness and accuracy is indeed tricky biz. xoxo Anne

it was not said in the most diplomatic way but its true. i love mrs O and I do think that she is looking better with age. the style, great body and how nice she is all complement her beauty. all and all i love michelle.

The interviewer’s question to Iman and Iman’s response is inappropriate. More similiar to First Lady Michelle Obama, Princess Diana and Jackie Kennedy are heralded as beautiful the world over. While they possess outer and inner beauty, their outer beauty is not akin to to that of the Supermodel profession or fasion industry standards . . . well because they are Stateswomen whose physical attractiveness is more relatable and accessible to the majority of women and girls the world over – so is there inner beauty . . . which simply does not appear to be the case with Iman. I would like for a reporter or two to ask Iman if s/he thinks that Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy, the First Lady of Somalia or some other country is a “great beauty” and here what she has to say. Iman ought to know better than to abuse such a high profile position to nurture her wounds. Why didn’t she direct her remarks towards the fasion industry who is not as inclusive of diverse types of beauty-be it “accessible or exotic”-as it should be? All I know is that I am not purchasing anything from Iman from hence forth.

No doubt, this was a bad choice of words. Yet an opinion held by many in the country. But Iman wasn’t saying you can be either beautiful or smart. Iman happens to speak seven languages, is the daughter of a diplomat and studied political science in college, which is where she was discovered as a model. She’s launched her own cosmetics company, hosts Project Runway in Canada and is a global ambassador for Keep A Child Alive. She had plastic surgery after being in a horrible car accident, to reconstruct her face many decades ago. And most important, she has supported the candidacy of Barack Obama since day one, hosting fundraising parties all over New York City. Not sure what she was thinking to say this to a reporter, but no one can deny that Michelle IS getting better looking with time. She has transformed into a more beautiful woman since we were first introduced to her several years ago.

She can’t help it…remember “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and she’s married to David Bowie.

I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Yes, that’s what I’m going to do.

She just bungled her words…that’s all.

Iman is Somalian and I’m hoping something got lost in translation, but she’s married to an Englishman so she should understand English perfectly well. Also having a little experience in journalism maybe the writer asked her a different question and this is what they wanted to run. Iman normally is a respectable person but on this one she should have chosen her words better. Iman coming from the fashion industry should understand their backward perspective on what beauty is and isn’t-and Iman being one of the first black supermodels and Michelle being the first black First Lady, Iman should offer words of encouragement instead of providing more fodder for the media to salivate over.

I don’t think that I can give her the benefit of the doubt. And I wrestled with this one, ladies (and gents).

All I can say is that I will refrain from calling Iman names, as she has done a lot that we can all take pride in, but it will be a long, long while before I buy some Iman cosmetics. And I do pick them up from time to time in an effort to support a Black woman.

If she came a groveling, then maybe we can talk.

Poor choice of words that reflect poorly on Iman, not Michelle.

Michelle will be alright though.

I truly hope Iman takes the opportunity to clarify what might have been misconstrued by the journalist so that this doesn’t grow into a public relations issue for Iman Cosmetics.

I never thought Iman was beautiful. First Lady Michelle Obama has inside and outside beauty. Much love to Michelle Obama.

As a guy,

Iman is absolutely right…Michelle O, is not your typical beauty, now as far as first ladys go, the only one she kinda pales in comparison too is Jackie O but thats HUGE. Michelle O. is not a woman that would turn a head based on her looks. She is charming and smart, but not beautiful! All of her traits make her beautiful but NO she is not pretty (in a strictly superficial way) you ladies need to get off the high horse. Michelle is bucked toothed with nappy hair, and a horrible makeup person (well initially). While she is brilliant and very accomplished and she makes me proud to be a black man, she wouldn’t get it up for me…PERIOD…

i said it before and i’ll say it again, the whole world seems to be turne on its head with jealousy over the absolute ease in which The Obamas are running this mess of a country. … and Iman i could care less abouty your vacuous opinion.

@ A.J -So Obama’s nappy hair is unattractive, huh? You as a black guy (as if i really believe that) likely have nappy hair. What is it called when you can’t find beauty in your own features? I believe its called self-hate.

AJ……..you probably won’t do a darn thing for her either. Why is Halley Berry so beautiful, because she is light skin? The old story about the light skin and the dark skin negro. Is that why alot of black men gets alittle success and they run to a white woman or light skin one. Let’s not talk about looks, because Iman’s husband isn’t a handsome man.

This AJ dude can go stright to hell, Mrs. Obama is a lovely woman and if I thought I had a chance I would make a move. I am really disappointed in Iman, but she can think what she want and so can I. I am so proud of our President, and just as proud of our wonderful beautiful First Lady. Does it sound like I have a crush on the First Lady? Mr. President you don’t have anything to worry about. Ha! Ha! Ha!

The statement Iman made was distasteful and extremely untrue. Oh, Michelle is definitely beautiful! She is part two of the change America needs. Iman must be part blind or is it envy?

Michelle looks better than Iman, so if Michelle is not a great beauty what does that make her?

aj, it is not the duty of Mrs. Obama to ‘get it up for you.’ You took time to come to this site and explain why Michelle is unattractive (to you). Do you take time to refute the media and the public who say that cate blanchett, drew barrymore, sarah jessica parker, felicity huffman and others of that sort are beautiful? Or are you only annoyed enough to respond when compliments and accolades are accorded to a black lady? Also, you say her hair is nappy. What is wrong with nappy hair? Nothing. If you really are black, then you, a parent or a grandparent have or had nappy hair. By the way, some of your fellow detractors criticize her for having straight and swingy hair. You should be talking to them. You also say her teeth are buck. They are not. But I guess you had to say something to support your failure to find her attractive. I suspect the real turn-off for you is her (lovely) dark skin.

It’s a black thing. I wouldn’t understand. Tacky – yes!! Classless – yes!! Disrespectful of the office that her husband holds and her part in it – yes!!
Dumb – NO!!! Deliberately disrespectful. After all, the United States is a downright mean country. Right, Michelle??

And she is? this is just one black woman sh*ting on another black woman. Classic pretty? by whose terms?

I’ll say this..
Mrs. Obama didn’t go into the world professional modeling. She entered into higher academia, and succeeded. Now, let’s “pit” her brain/intellegence against the has been model. (“beauty” fades stupid is forever)

Black women walking around with all those ugly wigs on, dying their hair blond, trying to live up to the european standard of “beauty” is disgusting.
No first lady in the history of the United States has been judged more harshly than Michelle O. concerning her looks and especially, her body build. I know why, but will leave it alone. On top of that, you get another black woman sick enough to jump on the band wagon.

Michelle Obama is married to the the most powertful man on earth (so much for beauty) WHO is the faded “beauty” married to? You rarely see them photographed together.

I support Michelle Obama. She is a beautiful woman and an inspiration. I focus my 8 yr. daughter toward her in favor of Iman.