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Showbiz Tonight
The Star-Studded Inauguration; The First Family of Fashion; Oprah`s Big Day After the Inauguration
Aired January 21, 2009 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, CO-HOST: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT - Hollywood`s first couple. Tonight, the remarkable story behind the incredible and emotional star- filled inaugural balls paying tribute to Barack and Michelle Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNE HATHAWAY, ACTRESS: We have a great president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, why the parties for the new president and first lady looked more like a star-studded wedding.
Tonight, the first family of fashion. From Michelle`s dresses to the kids` coats. Tonight, revealed for the first time, the unbelievable stories behind Michelle Obama`s outfits. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the great debate - did Michelle make the right picks?
Plus, Oprah`s big day after the inauguration. What Oprah did to make it very special.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show starts right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
BROOKE ANDERSON, CO-HOST: Hi there, everyone, I`m Brooke Anderson coming to you from Hollywood. And tonight, Hollywood`s first couple.
HAMMER: Yes, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you, it is as if Hollywood`s biggest stars have staged a palace coup, really. There is no doubt tonight that their guy is now in charge and running the country.
Barack Obama today started his first full day as president of the United States after he and now first lady Michelle made their way through a night of star-studded parties so big, so glamorous, so over the top cool - well, it made Oscar night seem kind of like a blip on the radar.
And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there every step of the way. Tonight, we can now reveal that Hollywood`s first couple has changed everything. And it is making big news right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(voice over): SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you President and Mrs. Obama have danced their way into the national imagination.
KIM SERAFIN, SENIOR EDITOR, "IN TOUCH WEEKLY": If there is going to be a debut of a first couple that goes down in history, it is this one.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you these revealing photos of President Obama in his first full working day on the job. But as he begins his work in the Oval Office, the Obama`s star-studded inaugural balls and Michelle Obama`s status as a new fashion icon have made the new first couple the new first couple of Hollywood.
DENZEL WASHINGTON, ACTOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.
HAMMER: The Obamas are such Hollywood stars the nationally televised Neighborhood Ball came off like the biggest, most star-studded Hollywood wedding ever.
BEYONCE KNOWLES, SINGER (singing): At last -
HAMMER: But instead of a rented D.J. playing "At Last" for the first dance.
KNOWLES (singing): ... has come along -
HAMMER: Beyonce was right there singing it herself. And instead of grooving to a Stevie Wonder song -
STEVIE WONDER, MUSICIAN (singing): Here I am signed, sealed, delivered. I`m yours.
HAMMER: The new first couple got the real Stevie Wonder. Backup singers, Sting, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige weren`t too shabby either.
SERAFIN: Everywhere you looked a huge performer. There was an A-list performer, and just doing it really because they seem to be so happy to be here.
HAMMER: The biggest stars tell SHOWBIZ TONIGHT they`re happy to have the Obamas as the new first couple of Hollywood.
ANNE HATHAWAY, ACTRESS: We have a great president. That`s a definite highlight.
RIHANNA, SINGER: Everyone is excited about the same thing. You know, President Barack Obama.
SHAKIRA, SINGER: I don`t sound objective when I talk about the Obamas because I like them too much.
HAMMER: At the Youth Ball, broadcast live on MTV, even Kanye West, who usually does most of his raving about himself, was sending love to the new president.
KANYE WEST, MUSIC: I think it is overwhelming. I think he is in touch with the people - his humanity.
HAMMER: And while the president and Mrs. Obama are reigning as the first couple of Hollywood, Michelle Obama`s inaugural fashion has given her an unofficial title of her own - America`s newest fashion icon.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Today, I think it was a fantastic choice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She changes the course of fashion history.
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you the mystery of who Michelle Obama wore on Inauguration Day has now been solved.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Words couldn`t describe how I felt. I was awestruck.
HAMMER: The designers who created her day and night outfits are spilling the secrets behind their career making fashion coups on the "Today" show.
MEREDITH VIEIRA, HOST, "TODAY" SHOW: When she emerged from Blair House, what was your reaction?
ISABEL TOLEDO, DESIGNER: I would probably say tears.
HAMMER: Forty-seven-year-old Isabel Toledo, a Cuban immigrant, designed the outfit Mrs. Obama wore in the inauguration parade. She tells the "Today" show she didn`t know Mrs. Obama would be wearing her outfit until she saw it on TV with everyone else.
TOLEDO: I was so happy that she looked so beautiful and happy and content.
HAMMER: Mrs. Obama`s inaugural fashion choice was also a surprise to 26- year-old designer Jason Wu who created Mrs. Obama`s ball gown. Wu, an immigrant from Taiwan, tells the "Today" show he wanted to make a gown appropriate for such a powerful woman.
JASON WU, DESIGNER: I wanted to say something about who she is and what she - I see her as a powerful, energetic, incredible woman.
HAMMER: And you can bet other designers will be tripping over themselves to put their creations on the new queen of American fashion. So as President Obama gets down to the business of running the country, he and his picture-perfect family are getting used to the business of Hollywood- style, superstardom.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And the first lady`s inaugural ball gown is going to be donated to the Smithsonian. That is according to tradition.
ANDERSON: What Michelle Obama wore on Inauguration Day, especially at the balls, has ignited a great debate about her choices. Jaws dropped when Michelle walked out on stage at the presidential inaugural balls dressed in this ivory-colored flowing dress.
So what are the fashionistas saying about the dress? Too sexy? Too much? Or just right? And how does it stack up to previous first ladies` dresses?
Joining me tonight in New York, Hal Rubenstein, who is a fashion director for "In Style" magazine. Tonight in Hollywood, Roshumba Williams, who is a model and author of "The Complete Idiot`s Guide to Being a Model."
Welcome, Hal. Welcome, Roshumba.
HAL RUBENSTEIN, FASHION DIRECTOR, "IN STYLE" MAGAZINE: Hi.
ROSHUMBA WILLIAMS, MODEL: Thank you, Brooke.
ANDERSON: Hi, there. And you know, everybody was waiting to see which dress Michelle Obama would choose. And she made an incredible fashion statement when she walked out in the Jason Wu ball gown.
Hal, what do you think? Did Michelle make the right choice?
RUBENSTEIN: She made a lot of great choices for a lot of reasons. Number one - by the way, the trade publications were killing themselves because nobody could find out who the dress was. It was the best kept secret.
What I love about the dress is when you are a woman of stature - look at Roshumba, she should know this. When you have that kind of stature, you have to have a dress that has real drama, and that`s exactly what she did.
And not only did the dress have drama and it fit her, but together, they look like a marvelous couple.
ANDERSON: Yes.
RUBENSTEIN: The white popping. The both of them - they look smart and cool and sexy. I mean, you can`t ask for better than that.
WILLIAMS: I agree with Hal -
ANDERSON: Roshumba, you are statuesque just like Michelle.
WILLIAMS: Thank you, Hal, Brooke.
ANDERSON: What did you think about the choice?
WILLIAMS: You know what? I agree with Hal, 100 percent. And the cool thing was that it was kept under lock and key. But I think we all know who has the keys to Michelle Obama`s closet right now. It`s a fashionista down in Chicago.
She`s Israeli-born and her name is Ikram Goldman. And I kind of like checked her out. And she has this boutique. And she is the one who has been advising Michelle Obama on what to wear this entire time, like the choices that everything she has worn in the pages of "Vogue," at the elections, at the inauguration - everything. This lady has been in her ear and it`s just been amazing. And they hit the nail on the head, definitely with the white ball gown.
ANDERSON: Yes. And she`s really helping Michelle take some risks.
WILLIAMS: Yes.
ANDERSON: Because what she wore was a far cry from other first lady`s inaugural gown choices. I want to take a look at some of those gowns. We`ve got Nancy Reagan and her gowns for both her husband`s `81 and `85 inaugurations. Barbara Bush at her husband`s inauguration in `89 wearing American designer, Arnold Skazzi. Hillary Clinton, `93 - she was criticized for wearing a little-known designer but redeemed herself in `97 with this Oscar de la Renta gown. Laura Bush wore this red number in 2001 by a little-known designer. Then went with Oscar de la Renta in 2005.
And now, of course, Michelle Obama in her Jason Wu dress. Roshumba, how did Michelle Obama`s gown compare to first ladies of the past?
WILLIAMS: Well, you know what is interesting? It is really hard to compare, one, because Michelle, as you have been saying - she makes bold, individual statements. I mean, the fact that she chose white was a refreshing color.
Jackie Kennedy chose white at the same time. Actually, Jackie Kennedy designed her dress and took it over to Bergdorf Goodman to have them make it. But I just think that because she`s the first African-American woman - she`s, you know, tall, statuesque and beautiful. And she has her own mind.
I like it that her sense of style represents her. And it is hard for me to compare. She is modern. She is fresh. But at the same time, she is very conscious because she is savvy and she realizes that the country is in a financial recession. She does have to make sure that American designers stay in the forefront.
ANDERSON: Right.
WILLIAMS: And at the same time, she incorporates that high-low dressing. But I thought she looked absolutely stunning.
ANDERSON: She looked stunning. So lovely. And I want to now quickly look at the lemongrass colored outfit that she wore during yesterday`s inauguration, designed by a 48-year-old Cuban-American designer, Isabel Toledo. Hal, what did you think of this choice?
RUBENSTEIN: What I loved about Isabel`s dress - number one, everyone in the fashion industry loves Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Roshumba knows and we know them. And not many people know them outside. What I love is how sophisticated the dress was. How beautifully made the dress was, how smart it was, lining it in pashmina so she don`t have to wear that classic first lady inauguration coat.
And also the color. The fact is you could spot her anywhere. Nobody else is wearing yellow but the first lady. And frankly, that`s really smart. And once again, picking a designer who is not necessarily well- known ...
ANDERSON: Right.
RUBENSTEIN: ... but an American designer, minority origin, this is so important. There is a very quiet mission going on between her ...
ANDERSON: Yes.
RUBENSTEIN: And like Roshumba said, Ikram Goldman. By the way, if I was in a desert, even in this economy, I would run Ikram Goldman and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) everywhere across America.
ANDERSON: Michelle Obama definitely making some statements with her fashion choices. Hal Rubenstein, Roshumba Williams, we`ll leave it there for now. Thanks.
RUBENSTEIN: Thanks.
WILLIAMS: Thanks.
ANDERSON: And now, we want to hear from you. It`s our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT question of the day - "Barack and Michelle Obama: Are they Hollywood`s first couple?" Vote, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. E-mail us, showbiztonight@cnn.com.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, we have lots more to get to about the first family of fashion tonight.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. And you know, it isn`t just about Michelle. We`ve got to talk about what everyone else wore. Yes, even the Obama daughters are becoming fashion plates after Inauguration Day. And how about what the president wore? Did they make the right choices?
HAMMER: Also a big day for Oprah Winfrey. You have got to see how Oprah made this post-Inauguration Day very special.
ANDERSON: And get this, how J. Lo and Marc Anthony used the inauguration to put rumors about them to rest.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker, more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Michelle Obama`s hairstylist signs deal to star in a reality show. Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker will announce this year`s Academy Award nominations.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(FOOTAGE OF VARIOUS ARTISTS SINGING "AMERICA`S SONG," WRITTEN BY WILL.I.AM)
HAMMER: Tonight, Oprah`s Obama celebration as Will.I.Am and David Foster team up with some of the biggest names in music for "America`s Song," an anthem inspired by Barack Obama.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. Tonight, Oprah`s Obama celebration. Oprah Winfrey remained in Washington, D.C., today, the day after Barack Obama`s inauguration to do a special live show.
Oprah, of course, has been one of President Obama`s biggest supporters from the very start. So you kind of could say today was like her victory lap.
Joining me tonight from Washington is Lola Ogunnaike, who is the entertainment correspondent for CNN`s "American Morning." And joining me in New York is Katrina Szish, who is a celebrity journalist.
Guys, I want to take a look at what Oprah had to say on her show today about having a front row seat to history. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OPRAH WINFREY, HOST, "THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW": What a morning! What a day!
Trying to get my brain wrapped around it. And I spoke to, you know, yesterday, sitting with some of his friends and, you know, closest friends of his. They`re still trying to take it all in.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I mean think about it. This is the day that Oprah has been waiting for, for so long. She got a lot of heat, of course, for supporting Obama early on.
Lola, I have to imagine that Oprah Winfrey is feeling kind of vindicated right about now.
LOLA OGUNNAIKE, ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT, "AMERICAN MORNING": I am telling you when she was sitting on the Capitol steps and she looked out into that crowd and saw millions of people all the way stretched past the Washington Monument, she must have said to herself, "You know what, I backed the right horse and he got to the finish line."
HAMMER: And Lola got to go to the parties as evidenced by your voice, Lola. You`re going to need rest after today.
OGUNNAIKE: It`s far better than the other day, though. It`s getting better. It`s getting better.
HAMMER: So such great guests on the show too, the great Jon Bon Jovi, who, of course, had performed down among the inaugural celebrations. He was right there on the mall as Obama was being sworn in.
You`ve got to listen to what Jon told Oprah about all the photos that he was taking himself at the big event.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON BON JOVI, MUSICIAN: For every picture someone took with me, I took 10 with other people. I wanted to capture every bit of it, so whenever I forget, I will have those memories.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is so cool. Katrina, doesn`t it really say a lot when one of the biggest rock stars in the world is running around and taking pictures, kind of like one of his fans would.
KATRINA SZISH, CELEBRITY JOURNALIST: It is amazing. First of all, I have to say, Lola, I am very jealous. But you know, seeing someone like Jon Bon Jovi, you know, acting like a little kid, and seeing Oprah giddy and seeing Beyonce cry.
I mean, this was a moment that brought everyone together. Nobody was a celebrity, or a star, or a politician. We were all Americans, and it`s amazing to see.
HAMMER: Yes. Leveled the playing field in a very good way to be sure. Now, we just saw a little bit of the new Obama-inspired anthem that Oprah debuted on her show today with Will.I.Am. We`ve got to look at some more of this.
(FOOTAGE OF VARIOUS ARTISTS SINGING "AMERICA`S SONG" WRITTEN BY WILL.I.AM)
HAMMER: What Will.I.Am said to Oprah was he wanted to write the song so this new generation could have a new anthem. Lola, do you see that happening?
OGUNNAIKE: Not quite. I don`t necessarily love the song. I think it is a bit sappy. I understand his intent. It`s nice, but I don`t love it. And I don`t see it being as huge a hit as his other songs.
HAMMER: Oh, Lola. Debbie Downer.
OGUNNAIKE: I am a Debbie Downer. Bad me. Bad me.
HAMMER: Lola Ogunnaike, Katrina Szish, thank you, guys. I appreciate it.
ANDERSON: Hey, A.J., the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines have been ringing off the hook with people calling in about the newly-inaugurated Barack Obama and his family.
HAMMER: That`s right. We`ve got a really emotional call I want to play into "Showbiz On Call" from Desiree in Louisiana. Listen to Desiree.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
DESIREE, CALLER FROM INDIANA: I was calling to say congratulations to President Obama. The day that we found out you were going to be our next president, I cried. I am a new mother. And now, I can officially look my child in the eye and honestly say that there is nothing that can stop you from following your dreams in this country, that anything is possible.
So, thank you for pursuing your dream, because now, my child can pursue his wholeheartedly.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot for your call, Desiree.
ANDERSON: And we also heard from Judy calling into "Showbiz On Call" from Tennessee.
JUDY, CALLER FROM TENNESSEE: Along with my husband and myself, we would like to congratulate President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama. I think it is great that once again, we are having young children in the White House and to know that they have parents who believe in home and family, a father who wants to change and unity in our country.
I don`t see president Obama as African-American. He is American who wants a nation to move on, all of us together. Congratulations.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for your call, Judy.
HAMMER: Wow. That was well said. Also heard from Pamela in Michigan who called in to "Showbiz On Call" with this to say.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PAMELA, CALLER FROM MICHIGAN: I am so proud to be an American today and watch this inauguration and just - I am overwhelmed. It`s wonderful. And I wish him and his family everything that the world can give them. I am so proud.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
HAMMER: Thanks a lot, Pamela. I am guessing you don`t have the Obama`s number. So you can call us at "Showbiz On Call" with your messages for the Obama family.
ANDERSON: That`s right. The "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are open around the clock. Give us a ring - 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728-2899. Simply leave a message. We will play some of your calls for the Obamas right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
And your calls to "Showbiz On Call" are also now online. That is on our homepage, CNN.com/ShowbizTonight. And we will be playing more of your calls later on in the show, so stay tuned for that.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, through all the pageantry, and all the stars, and all the history going on, there is one thing, you know, everybody is talking about today.
ANDERSON: I know exactly what you mean, A.J. - what the Obamas wore. Straight ahead, the first family of fashion. We`ve got the great debate on Michelle`s gowns and even how the Obama daughters are becoming fashion plates.
HAMMER: And one of the most stunning, emotional moments from the inaugural festivities. You have got to see Beyonce singing "At Last" while the president and first lady danced. It actually looked like a big star- studded wedding. You are not going to want to miss a moment of it. It`s coming up on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT.
ANDERSON: And what the Jonas Brothers did to surprise Sasha and Malia Obama on their first day at the White House.
HAMMER: And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Matt Dillon pleads not guilty to speeding; stopped allegedly driving 107 mph in Vermont in December. William Balfour pleads not guilty in the killings of Jennifer Hudson`s mother, brother and nephew.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(FOOTAGE OF THE OBAMAS DANCING)
ANDERSON: I`ll tell you, I don`t know what the future may hold for an Obama presidency. But if his dance moves are any indication, he is going to be just fine. President Obama and his wife Michelle at the Commander- In-Chief Ball, one of the 10 they stopped by.
HAMMER: I love watching that. And Brooke, Barack and Michelle certainly have done plenty of dancing. I bet we`re going to see plenty more of it in years to come.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. A.J., the first couple definitely knows how to get their groove on. So right now, let`s take a look at all of their great moves. No presidential polka here.
(FOOTAGE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA LISTENING TO THE DRUMS AT THE INAUGURAL PARADE)
HAMMER: Well, during the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, you had the Obama bob and weave with a little clapping thrown in. Michelle right in sync with her husband right there.
KNOWLES (singing): Oh yes, at last -
ANDERSON: Then they slowed things down a bit for Beyonce`s amazing version of the Etta James classic "At Last" at the neighborhood ball. I thought this was so romantic. You can really tell how much these two love each other. We`ve got more on Beyonce`s emotional moment, straight ahead.
(FOOTAGE OF BARACK OBAMA DANCING ON "THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW")
HAMMER: Yes, he does have some moves. Who can forget when then-candidate Obama stopped by Ellen DeGeneres` show? You know, Ellen usually has all of her guests dance. And Barack really stepped it up to Beyonce and Jay-Z`s to "Crazy in Love."
RIHANNA (singing): I want to take you away -
ANDERSON: Now, Michelle Obama on "Ellen," definitely a dancing queen, right? I love that brush-it-off move that she has. I think I`m going to use that one sometime.
HAMMER: I think you should, Brooke. Well, you know, the Obamas were, of course, the big star couple on inauguration night. But another couple managed to get a lot of attention as well.
ANDERSON: That`s right, A.J. The Obamas aren`t the only ones with the dance moves. Coming up, I`m going to tell you how J. Lo and Marc Anthony used the inauguration to put some of those rumors about them to rest.
HAMMER: And one of the most stunning emotional moments from the inaugural festivities. Beyonce singing an incredible rendition of "At Last" while the president and the first lady danced. When you looked at this, it actually looked like a big star-studded wedding. You definitely will not want to miss a moment of this.
ANDERSON: And the first family of fashion. It is what everybody is talking about today from Michelle`s outfits to the kids` coats. The great debate over what the first family wore.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, SHOWBIZ at the Inauguration. Beyonce`s serenades President Obama and his wife Michelle with a show-stopping version of "At Last." Tonight, Beyonce reveals how she was totally overwhelmed with emotions.
Plus, how the inaugural balls were like one big star-studded wedding. And the stars speak out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The first family of fashion? Tonight, the entire Obama family causing a fashion frenzy. Michelle`s glam gown. Barack`s bow tie. Even their kids` cute coats. Fabulous or flop?
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It`s 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer, broadcasting tonight and every night from New York City.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson, coming to you tonight from Hollywood.
HAMMER: Well, tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is bringing you more details behind the remarkable story of the incredible and emotional star-filled inaugural balls honoring President Obama and the first lady, including - what a moment - Beyonce singing Etta James` classic, "At Last." And we have got her emotional, show-stopping performance. And wait until you hear how she broke down in tears after she performed for the Obamas.
Also new tonight, the first couple go ultra-glam. It`s as if the president and the first lady were attending their own star-studded wedding.
And wait until you hear what some of the biggest stars on the planet are telling SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about being part of this history-making moment.
Joining me in New York, A.J. Calloway, who is a correspondent for "Extra"; Katrina Szish, who is a celebrity journalist; and Dawn Yanek is here, who is an editor-in-large for "Life and Style Weekly."
So gang, I`ve got two words - "Beyonce," "wow." Did you see this? I mean, she nearly brought the house down at the very first ball of the night. It was the first of 10 official balls that the President Obama and the First Lady Michelle attended.
Now, the Obamas chose Beyonce themselves to sing "At Last" for the very first dance of the evening. Watch this because it is truly amazing.
(FOOTAGE OF THE OBAMAS DANCING AND BEYONCE KNOWLES SINGING "AT LAST")
HAMMER: I love it. Wow. Katrina, over to you first. You can hear the emotion in her voice. You can see the emotion on Beyonce`s face. Were you just as blown away as everybody else?
SZISH: I was, A.J., definitely, even just watching it again. Of course, you had to come to me first. I am even a little teary just watching that again. You are just swept away by the moment. Everybody was. It doesn`t matter whether you are watching it on TV, whether you happen to be Beyonce herself. Everybody was wrapped up in that moment and it was unforgettable.
HAMMER: And imagine what is going on in her mind. Well, after her performance, Beyonce actually tried to put into words exactly how she felt about performing the song for the first couple when she spoke with ABC`s Robin Roberts. You`ve got to see how emotional she got here. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KNOWLES: I can`t even describe to you how I felt. I mean, I`m actually right now fighting back tears because it`s just so emotional. I`m so proud of my country. And there are certain people in the world that are just - God touches. And this man was born for this. And he was born to lead us. And I just feel so inspired and so proud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: You know, I think if there are angels, Beyonce is one of them. A.J. Calloway, over to you - you were right there in Washington, D.C. for all the festivities. Does Beyonce`s sentiment basically echo what you are hearing from stars as you were covering all the parties yourself?
A.J. CALLOWAY, CORRESPONDENT, "EXTRA": Oh, most definitely. All the celebrities - they were just so overcome with joy, so overwhelmed. It was such an emotional day.
And you know, the real celebrities were the Obamas - President Obama and his wife Michelle for that day. And from now on, I mean, we have ushered in the new celebrity couple. And just their humility and their love just transcends.
HAMMER: Yes. No question about it. And again, back to the idea of what could have been going on in Beyonce`s head at the time. Well, she explained exactly what was going through her mind while she was actually singing the song "At Last." Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BEYONCE: I was thinking of all the sacrifices of Obama and his wife and his children have made. And at last, he is here. It was all worth it. I`m sorry, I am so embarrassed. But I`m just so lucky to be part of this history. It is probably the most important day of my life, and I`m so grateful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Yes. I think it comes across how grateful she is. Dawn Yanek, over to you. You know, when you think about it, it is pretty amazing that you have Beyonce. We`re talking a woman of such incredible accomplishment and fame at such a young age. Yet, she is so humbled by all this.
DAWN YANEK, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "LIFE AND STYLE" MAGAZINE: Oh, absolutely. I mean, she is an incredibly talented woman and she performs huge events to sold-out crowd. But this was a historic event all around, and it was especially meaningful for her. Not only did she see the first black president take office, but she was also a part of the entire ceremony. She`s going to go down in the history books as well. I mean, that`s amazing. It`s overwhelming. It`s completely humbling.
HAMMER: Can you imagine? I mean, completely surreal, too. I think it`s going to be a long time before it all sets in for everybody who was part of this thing.
So Beyonce clearly moved by all the emotion that she was witnessing between President Obama and the first lady during that first dance.
And I`ve got to tell you, I think everybody else was, too. We were at the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT staff meeting this morning. We were saying, you know, the Obamas with the dancing and the hugging and everything going on around them. They looked as if they were attending their very own star-studded wedding, really. Katrina, did it kind of come across to you that way, too?
SZISH: 100 percent. That was the first thing that came out of my mind. I was like, "This is not an inauguration ball. This is a wedding." This is the first couple of the United States, and it`s as if they renewed their vows to each other as well as taken a vow to this country.
And it wasn`t just the love between them. It was even the way they dressed. Obama wore a white tie at his wedding, and Michelle Obama wore a big white wedding dress back at their wedding in 1992. I was looking at pictures today. And you can see that echo and you are right on with that wedding comparison.
HAMMER: Yes, and it is easy to make the comparison based on the surface things that we saw, the superficial things that we saw.
But A.J. Calloway, back to you - there really was more to the reason that the comparison is so easy, isn`t there?
CALLOWAY: I mean the comparison is so easy because they`re just so much in love. It`s like you watched them fall in love again. And I think, in that moment, it just settled in to them, what they had accomplished. They had done so much. They worked so hard together. And, America fell in love with them again. And they fell in love, I think, again with one another.
HAMMER: And imagine having that guest list at your wedding. You know, while the OBAMAS were there dancing - look at the crowd around them. They`re doing their first dance. Dozens of stars are just there watching in awe.
Among the stars in Washington, you had David Arquette and his wife, Courtney Cox. And you`ve got to see what David said when he was asked why they are so fascinated and inspired by the Obamas. Check it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID ARQUETTE, ACTOR: Just the dignity that they have, Michelle and their family. It`s just so amazing to see and it`s inspirational to me to be the best person I can be to stay active in my community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Well, we also caught up with Anne Hathaway and she told us what her big highlight of the day was. Watch Anne.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HATHAWAY: We have a great president. That`s a definite highlight. But I was here with my dad. So getting to share this historic moment with someone I love so much was amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And that really was the deal for so many of the stars, wasn`t it, Dawn? They were there, not because they were celebrities attending some big lavish party. They were there as Americans.
YANEK: Oh, absolutely. And they were completely star-struck. I mean, it takes a man like Barack Obama, the inspiring new leader of the free world, to make our stars completely star-struck. And you know what? He is completely inspiring and he`s doing it for celebrities, for ordinary people. And I think that is actually going to affect the change we have all been talking about for so many months now.
HAMMER: You know, you listen to the stars talk and you listen to everyday people that you might have run into in the streets or in the bars last night. I think everybody has been humbled, regardless of political affiliation, by this entire experience.
A.J. Calloway, Katrina Szish, Dawn Yanek, I do appreciate you all being here tonight.
So Brooke, the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines won`t stop ringing. Everybody is calling in with messages for President Obama and his family.
ANDERSON: You are right, A.J. And we`ve got a really emotional call into "Showbiz On Call" from Peggy in New Jersey. Take a listen.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
PEGGY, CALLER FROM NEW JERSEY: I just wanted to say thank you so much for inspiring me to want to do better for this country. I never really paid attention before to stuff that went on in the country, and to admit that - that`s very embarrassing.
But I have never felt like I wanted to pay attention before as I do now from listening to everything that you have said during your campaign and up to your oath of office yesterday.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you, Peggy. And remember the "Showbiz On Call" phone lines are always open. Just give us a ring, 1-888-SBT-BUZZ; 1-888-728- 2899. Leave us a voicemail. We will play some of the messages for the Obamas right here on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And we will have more of your calls later on in the show.
HAMMER: All right. You know, Brooke, everybody talking about Michelle Obama`s dress, of course. What did you make of it?
ANDERSON: I loved it, A.J. But you know, it is not just the first lady`s fashion. People are talking about Barack`s bowtie, even their kids` oh-so- cute coats. The Obamas have set off a fashion frenzy. But did their outfits work, or did they flop? I`ve got a revealing look at the first family of fashion, next.
HAMMER: And Brooke, while mommy and daddy were out partying it up all night long, their kids, Sasha and Malia, got such a big surprise from the Jonas Brothers. You know, these two sisters are huge fans of the brothers.
ANDERSON: And the remarkable way Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony used the inauguration to put to rest all those rumors about them splitting up.
Now, it`s time for the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Eva Mendes picked as most desirable woman of 2009 in "AskMen.com" poll. Shia Labeouf`s license suspended for one year after he refused to take a breathalyzer test.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood.
Tonight, the first family of fashion. President Barack Obama made history on Inauguration Day. But the rest of the Obama clan marked a new era in first family fashion.
Everybody is talking about the gown Michelle wore to the ball and Barack Obama`s positively presidential tuxedo as well as the J. Crew jackets worn by their daughters Malia and Sasha.
But was the first family`s fashion fabulous or a faux pas?
Joining me tonight in New York, Hal Rubenstein who is the fashion director for "In Style" magazine. Also joining me tonight in Hollywood, Roshumba Williams who is a model and author of this book, "The Complete Idiot`s Guide to Being a Model." Hal, Roshumba, good to see you both.
And I want to start with the first lady, of course, Michelle Obama. Let`s begin with her. She wore two bold looks, one by day, and one by night. And I want to start with her best-kept fashion secret, the inaugural gown. It was designed by 26-year-old designer, Jason Wu. Hal, I thought she looked absolutely stunning. What do you say, hit or miss?
RUBENSTEIN: I think you are absolutely right. You know, it is also to - it`s a very special evening. It`s not just about a dress. It is about how somebody looks. She looked magnificent. They looked magnificent together. They just look like a sensational couple.
I mean you saw the white tie with the white dress. I mean, look at the two of them together. They look smart. They look cool, sophisticated and sexy. I mean, you can`t ask for better than that.
ANDERSON: Yes, they certainly complemented one another. And she looked so confident, so comfortable in her own skin. And the designer, Jason Wu, says that he didn`t even know Michelle was wearing his dress until she appeared at the first ball and he saw it on TV. He was on, Jason Wu - yes. He was on the "Today" show this morning and he explained.
WILLIAMS: That`s pretty exciting, yes.
ANDERSON: It is. It`s thrilling.
WILLIAMS: He had no idea.
ANDERSON: He explains his inspiration for the dress. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WU: I wanted to say something about who she is and what she - I see her as a powerful, energetic, incredible woman. And you know, I wanted the gown to have a dream-like quality. Because to me, this is, you know, pretty surreal.
ANDERSON: I`ll say pretty surreal. Roshumba, Jason said he had a message with this dress. Did the first lady deliver?
WILLIAMS: I think she hit the nail on the head with this dress. First of all, the fact that she chose the color white, which is the color of purity, new beginnings. That was amazing.
And then she chose something that was appropriate for her body. Because she has such long legs and she does have broad hips, I was happy to see that she chose something that was sort of full and billowy.
And she sparkled. She looked like a princess. And another interesting thing about Jason Wu is that he actually started out as a designer for dolls. So he designed clothing for toys.
And the funny thing was when she came out and I saw her doing the dance and with her husband, she just looked like a princess. And I`m sure that when she lined all the dresses up, she had Sasha on one side and Malia on the other and they probably picked that one together because she just looked like she floated off of a cloud. She was glorious. And the one- shoulder strap, so modern, so amazing.
ANDERSON: Yes. It was super-flattering. And it is remarkable because Jason Wu has really only been in the business for three years. But now, I want to turn to what everybody else is buzzing abut, and that is Michelle`s lemongrass-colored, Isabel Toledo daytime dress. She even wore green J. Crew gloves while holding the Bible for the swearing-in.
Hal, is Michelle Obama two-for-two here?
RUBENSTEIN: I think she is two-for-two. Once again, really smart choice. When you go through this sort of history, the litany of what everybody wears on Inauguration Day, there is this whole sort of go back and it`s always these very proper little princess, you know, princess coats and the pale cashmere. Or let`s do the patriotic red, the patriotic blue.
There are two million people on this mall wanting to know where Michelle Obama is. Well, in lemon-yellow, you knew where Michelle Obama was all day long.
ANDERSON: Yes. You know, she really stood out. She didn`t wear, you know, the expected red or blue. I just loved that choice.
And also, very bold and beautiful were her daughters. The Obama girls looking absolutely adorable in J. Crew`s, crew-cuts line. J. Crew says that their Web site crashed because people were trying to find these outfits.
And I want to note that those outfits were custom made for them. But they will soon be available from J. Crew - is what I am told. Roshumba, do you just love the fact that they were wearing the very accessible J. Crew?
WILLIAMS: You know what? I love the fact that they were wearing the accessible J. Crew. But if you look at the pattern of Michelle Obama, she often does high-low dressing, meaning she will - maybe, say, her shoes were Jimmy Choo and then she adds J. Crew gloves.
And then you look at the girls. They are wearing cute J. Crew, but if you look at the runways over the past year, you`ll see that the models strutted down and they had bold colors and that little sash that was around their waists, which is very, very fashion forward. And they accessorized with color.
ANDERSON: Yes.
WILLIAMS: It`s all about color. And the little girls just look like little angels. I was so happy for them.
ANDERSON: They were cute, just glowing. Hal, very quickly, are we seeing the first family of trendsetters here for fashion?
RUBENSTEIN: I think what you`re seeing is somebody who makes really smart choices, who is making really conscious choices about promoting young American fashion and American fashion designers. And that`s exactly what we want. Without her going out there, trying -
WILLIAMS: Especially in light of the economy.
ANDERSON: Good point. Good point.
WILLIAMS: With the economy the way it is, we need people to shop in America.
ANDERSON: The American designers - that`s what she`s doing.
RUBENSTEIN: And she also furthered American fashion.
ANDERSON: That`s right. Hal Rubenstein, Roshumba Williams, thank you.
HAMMER: Well, the Obamas, the Bidens, everyone was rocking in their best outfits while the stars were rocking the inaugural balls. And I`ve got to tell you, I still cannot get over all the star power that came out.
Hollywood`s A-list was there in full force in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. You had Beyonce, Usher, Stevie Wonder. We had Sting, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey - you know, I could go on and on and on.
Well, CNN "American Morning" correspondent Lola Ogunnaike had a VIP pass to the parties and got some other A-listers to really open up about their inauguration experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OGUNNAIKE (on camera): Well, what`s the highlight of the day for you?
HATHAWAY: I was here with my dad, so getting to share an historic moment with someone I love so much was amazing.
OGUNNAIKE: That family walked out onstage, what went through your mind?
ALFRE WOODARD, ACTRESS: Paradigm shift, you know. Paradigm shift, yes. My little rugamuffin 15-year-old boy, you know, all the ladies may not pull their purses close when they see him, because they might start going, "You know what? That could have been Obama."
SAMUEL L. JACKSON, ACTOR: I`m not going to change any policies. I`m not going to do anything. I`ve everything I could do. I`m going to go back to work now and pay more taxes.
OGUNNAIKE: But what if he makes you secretary of cool?
JACKSON: That`s not going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I, for one, say Sam Jackson would make an excellent secretary of cool, Brooke.
ANDERSON: I do, too, A.J. And Jennifer Lopez and her hubby, Marc Anthony were in D.C. at the inaugural ball, too. And tonight, I can tell you that they used this party time to shoot down those rumors about splitting up. Find out what they did, next.
And now, the SHOWBIZ News Ticker - more stories from the SHOWBIZ TONIGHT newsroom making news right now.
(CAPTION READS: Mike Myers` "Love Guru" snags most Razzie Award nominations: seven of them! Paris Hilton gets three Razzie nominations, all for acting. Razzie Awards "honor" the worst in Hollywood, will be given out February 21, one day before the Oscars.)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Hey, did you see this? Here are the very first pictures of President Barack Obama hard at work at the White House. If you notice, no computers, no Blackberry. So I wonder how he`s holding up. You know, Obama was really concerned about giving that stuff up.
HAMMER: I can certainly appreciate that. Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer.
ANDERSON: And I`m Brooke Anderson with some more stories from SHOWBIZ at the Inauguration.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony quieted some of those break-up rumors at the Western State Inauguration ball. Anthony performed and J. Lo made a surprise appearance onstage where they salsa-danced together and closed the number with a kiss.
HAMMER: Another surprise on inauguration night - and I think this is so cool - the Jonas Brothers surprised Sasha and Malia at the White House. Now, ABC News reports the Obama girls had a scavenger hunt around the White House. And at the end, imagine this, Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas right there waiting for them.
ANDERSON: Oh, how exciting. And on "Good Morning, America" this morning, First Lady Michelle Obama said the girls will help the family stay grounded.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHELLE OBAMA, UNITED STATES FIRST LADY: Normal is now relative, but I think that kids ground you and our girls, who are 10 and 7, are still the focus of our world. We came to D.C. early so that they could start school at a normal beginning time.
And, you know, the first weeks that we were here, we were taking the kids to school, picking them up, getting into play dates, doing homework. It was as if we were just living in a hotel but our lives were the same.
And I`m hoping there will be that same level of normalcy. We`ll live in the White House. Dad`s office will be close. But we have had more normal now than we`ve had in a long time. I mean, Barack has dinner - we have dinner with Barack every night and we haven`t done that for two years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Michelle Obama says the family knows there will be sacrifice, but they are ready to get to work.
HAMMER: Well, Brooke, we are still getting tons of calls coming into "Showbiz On Call" with a lot of people who want to leave messages for President Obama and his family.
ANDERSON: That`s right. Listen to Rosa calling from Louisiana.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
ROSA, CALLER FROM LOUISIANA: God bless America, because a man`s dreams are the index to his greatness. And I believe that President Obama will be one of the greatest dreamers for this generation.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Thank you for that, Rosa. Give us a call at 1-888-SBT-BUZZ.
HAMMER: And that`s it for SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
ANDERSON: I`m Brooke Anderson in Hollywood. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on the 11:00s - 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, and in the morning, 11:00 a.m. Eastern on HLN.
END
