Michelle Obama's not shocked by criticism surrounding her Oscar appearance

First lady Michelle Obama, on a video screen, announces the winner for best picture along with actor Jack Nicholson at the 85th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 2013, in Hollywood, Calif. / ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Michelle Obama said it was "absolutely not surprising" that her satellite appearance at the Academy Awards ceremony sparked a national conversation about whether it was appropriate, after some conservative critics accused her of selfishly crashing the event in an attempt to upstage it.

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She attributed the chatter to a culture shift that has spawned legions of bloggers, tweeters, and others who talk about anything and everything all the time.

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"Shoot, my bangs set off a national conversation. My shoes can set off a national conversation. That's just sort of where we are. We've got a lot of talking going on," the first lady said Thursday before an appearance in her hometown of Chicago. "It's like everybody's kitchen-table conversation is now accessible to everybody else so there's a national conversation about anything."

Mrs. Obama was beamed live from the White House into Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles to unseal the envelope and announce that the night's final Best Picture award would go to "Argo." And this was not the first time that a first lady has appeared on the Oscars -- in 2002, Laura Bush appeared at the ceremony via videotape.

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Americans have long been fascinated by their first ladies, scrutinizing everything from their clothes and hair to the issues they support, and how they raise their children. Mrs. Obama acknowledged that she and President Barack Obama have added appeal and are perhaps subject to extra scrutiny because they are the first black family in the White House and are also a younger couple (she turned 49 last month; he's 51) with young children (daughters Sasha, 11, and Malia, 14).

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Though she doesn't give a second thought to critical comments about what she does in her very public role. Her strategy, she said, is to do things that further her larger goals, and Oscar night aligned with her support for the arts. She recently invited the director and cast members from the Oscar-nominated film "Beasts of the Southern Wild" to the White House to participate in a question-and-answer session with students from Washington and New Orleans who had seen the film at the executive mansion.

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"I just don't think about that stuff," said Mrs. Obama when asked for her reaction to the criticism during an interview with a small group of reporters who were invited to accompany her on a three-city tour marking the third anniversary of her "Let's Move" campaign against childhood obesity.

Though she did admit that she was astounded by the buzz surrounding her recent banged haircut, which she unveiled on her birthday, just before inauguration weekend.

When asked if she was surprised that the bangs made the news, Mrs. Obama said: "I was, I have to say. I'm like, 'it's a haircut."'

[SUZAMBA]

Big Whoop!! Don't care about Michelle, more important issues than her to deal with. Bet that dress costed the taxpayers a pretty penny!

[thetruthwillout]

Those with negative comments are sour grapes. JOHNNYHOUSTON, were you this critical of Laura Bush? Something tells me you weren't. Get over it and get a life.

[littlemjs]

The only reason I cared was that at the beginning of the show, my husband said "want to bet a dinner anywhere of the winners choosing that Barack or Michelle will show up tonight before the nights over?" I said "no they won't". He said "of course they will, they haven't met a camera they didn't like! But suit yourself". Darn....I should have made the bet!!! lol

[me_nz]

Ahhhhh God more inane whining from the right wingnuts. Any excuse to whinge belly ache and gripe about nothing. For god's sake get a life you people crawl back into your mean spirited, sad, dull hole you inhabit because the rest of us don't give a damn what you think. They are only jealous Laura Bush never had enough charisma or star quality to be invited. Good on her well done she carried it off beautifully at last a first lady we can be proud of in her own right not just a presidents handbag.

[Chengisk]

"That's just sort of where we are. We've got a lot of talking going on" - Amen

[mollydtt]

Invited? What? Who does the inviting? The people that actually plan the Oscars? They didn't invite her? Who gave her the envelope then.

[bilrobi1]

Apparently she was invited to make the presentation. She looked great and she was gracious.At last a First Lady with some style instead of the usual frump.

[mollydtt]

I apologize for my inaccurate way of responding to a previous comment that assumed she was not invited.
I thought she was great. I also knew for a fact that she HAD been invited to participate.
Those that keep on saying she "crashed" the Oscars have made me a bit ornery and careless with my posts.

[hypnotoad72]

And I thought they griped because she was appearing over a video link rather than being there in person.

If she showed up in person, the same detractors would make an aimless excuse anyway.

IMHO, being there in person is the best, but if one's schedule is too tight, at least - using modern technology - even a live videocast is still showing some respect and decorum.

Unlike the host of the Oscars, who thrusted his crude and empty "comedy" on everyone. The venue has a certain prestige. Let the comedy match the venue. His FOX comedies are apropos and appropriate. But the Oscars are not FOX. ;)

[Ainthatright]

"it's a haircut" ... Exactly.