Before she became our First Lady, Hello Beautiful got  an exclusive interview, with  Michelle Obama to give us the scoop on marriage and family, beauty and motherhood, and the importance of each individual voice during the 2008 Presidential election.

Here’s just a preview of things Michelle had to say…

On keeping it simple:

“In my purse, you’ll always find…”

On her likeness to our favorite TV mom:

“You know, being compared to American icons like Claire Huxtable is flattering of course, but let me tell you…”

On doing it all:

“Like many women across the country, I play so many roles…”

On making a change:

“I realized that I had to do my part to ensure that someone like Barack would be president. Because he is the person who can lead us to [a] better future. I believe that with all my heart.”

On family values:

“To me, policies that support families aren’t just political; they’re personal. They’re the issues I carry in my heart every single day.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW!

For more about our new First Lady on HelloBeautiful.com check the links below:

The First Lady’s Style

Gallery: Our New First Family

The First Lady’s Agenda

One of our favorite R&B stars, Ne-Yo, sang the National Anthem at last Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and we got a chance to chat with him about the race, his new projects, and what he looks for in a woman!

HELLO BEAUTIFUL: Were you a NASCAR fan before today?

NE-YO: This is actually my first time at a NASCAR race, and I gotta say… I’m enjoying myself. I didn’t know a lot about it before. Watching it on TV and being here is very different. On TV, you don’t get to meet the drivers and see how personable they are. Most entertainers are not personable, but here you can walk in the garage and walk up to the drivers. They really care about their fans. This is why people are so dedicated to the sport. How do you alienate people who buy records? A message to other entertainers: Don’t let celebrity status to take you away from fans. There’s no platinum record without the fans. That’s why I always stop and sign autographs and stuff.

NASCAR is a pretty white-dominated sport. Do you think that there’s room for more African-American fans to get into NASCAR? Do you think your performance is a step in that direction?

I definitely think so. The owners of NASCAR have said that diversity is a major goal of theirs. There are more people that should understand what this is all about. Black people don’t understand it, so they aren’t into it. But after being here today, I can see myself becoming a fan. By bringing me here and giving me the opportunity to perform, maybe I can get more people into it. It’s very diverse already. I’ve seen people of all walks of life out today, which is great to see.
Speaking of diversity and change, you performed with the Goo-Goo Dolls for a fundraising concert in support of Barack Obama. How do you feel about the Senator being our 44th President?

I feel great about it. Thank God! No disrespect to Palin and McCain. If McCain won, I would have moved. I wouldn’t sit through another 4 years of Republicans. I was shooting a video with the Game when I heard the news about Obama winning. I was in the trailer watching it on TV. The trailer exploded in cheers and laughter and happiness, so that was real cool. The world itself is so diverse, so it makes sense. I was really proud of America in that moment. It made me realize that change is possible. Things have been done a certain way for so long. To even imagine it… hell, you couldn’t imagine it! It’s a beautiful thing. It really speaks to where the world is trying to hit; it’s a step in the right direction.
Collaborating has been a huge part of your career, from Rihanna to Ciara, etc. And I hear rumors that you will be writing for Michael Jackson’s upcoming album… is that true?

Yes, that rumor is true. We’re in the process of putting stuff together. It’s slow because they’re being very careful. It’s either going to be the biggest comeback of all time or a sad… situation. It takes time and patience. If, god forbid, I don’t get a song placed on his project, the fact that he called me on my cell phone… that was enough for me right there.
If you could team up with anyone that you haven’t worked with yet, a dream collabo, someone living or dead, who would it be and why? If you could write a song for anyone of your choice to sing, who would it be for?

If I could work with any artist out there, it would be Prince. Everyone knows I’m an MJ fan but I’m a bigger Prince fan. Prince is the kind of artist I aspire to be. You name it – he can do it. He can play any instrument you put in front of him. He can just do it all, and that’s the kind of artist I want to be. I don’t know if I could work with him though, because everyone knows he writes his own songs. But yea, he’s who I’d want to work with.

On HelloBeautiful, we ask all our sought-after male-celebrities what they look for in women. TI said he wants a ‘respectable freak’. Soulja Boy wants a girl with ‘housewife qualities and porn star skills’. What kind of woman is Ne-Yo looking for? Is she a Miss Independent? Have you found this yet?

Both of those sound really good! But I want someone who’s realistic and easy going. I despise a woman who is insecure – who doesn’t know her worth. I need somebody who’s comfortable in her own skin. I’m a really honest person and if we’re walking down the street and I see a pretty woman, I’ll say it. But if you say, “What?! [Does] that mean I’M not pretty?!” Nah… I don’t do that. I don’t like that invisible leash. If I’m with you, then I’m with you. If you can understand that, we can rock forever.
We saw your “A Milli” video on YouTube. Do you think rapping is next for you?

You know, that was something that happened accidentally. My studio is very comfortable; we get in there and just chill. We’ll be in there and be hanging out. We pulled up all the different versions of “A Milli” and my manager was like ‘yo, make ur own version!’ I didn’t know he was gonna take it and send it to DJ clue, who was the first person to get a hold of it. All of a sudden it’s everywhere! People thought it was a Chris Brown diss and I was like whoa whoa, what? No, it was just fun. I don’t think this is the next move, but I don’t like to limit myself, so who knows.
We all know music is your life. Performing, writing, creating. But do you have any hobbies that people might be surprised to learn about?

Everybody thinks I’m this smooth gentleman dude. Im definitely a gentleman, I will say that. But I’m actually a nerd. Give me some japanimation and sci-fi. I’d say I’m a talented star wars nerd. A lot of ppl don’t know about that me. My favorite japanimation is Ninja Scroll. Look it up.
Other than the hits out on the radio and your album, The Year of the Gentleman, is there anything you’re working on that fans should keep an eye out for?

John Legends album out there I have a song on there. JHud’s album is out. Spotlight is mine. She might have kept others too. Pussycat Dolls. Usher, Ciara, Monica, LeToya Luckett, Brandy, Marilyn Manson, Whitney Houston, Chrisette Michele, Mario… I’m definitely keeping very busy.

How did Equilibrio come about?
I met Argentinean jewelry designer Federico di Alzaga about doing a high-end jewelry line with SRT technology. He agreed. Out of that came Equilibrio. We love ‘Equilibrio’ because our technology is about balancing the energy systems of the body, and also has ancient connotations. Interestingly, Argentinean jewelry making is still an antiquated process. Everything is individually done. The person making the molds doesn’t also shape the silver, and so forth.

What products are currently available for purchase?
Our products are at qlinkproducts.com. There you’ll see a link to Equilibrio’s site. Equilibrio is intelligent jewelry inspired by nature. Q-Link is about wellness, but both collections use SRT.

Do you have any other designs in the works?
We want to introduce a collection about every year featuring international designers.

Have you decided on the next country of inspiration?
No, but any designer we choose should be involved with what we’re doing and the technology that we put into the jewelry. I encourage anyone creative to contact Clarus about making a collection.

Speak briefly about “wearing yoga” and its benefits.
The key to wellness is the connection between the energetic and the physical body. Throughout our daily lives, the relationship between our physical body and our energy body gets knocked askew by any number of stresses. By balancing the energy body, we may sleep better, concentrate better, be less snappy with our partners, etc. Think about going into yoga class. When you finish your 60-min session you’re feeling damn good. Then, you go off have 5 cocktails… (laughs). SRT helps balance us similarly.

Who is your number one consumer?
What we do is heavily advertised in sports magazines, but our primary consumers are ‘culture creators,’ people that want more out of life than their upcoming paycheck. I’m amazed by the diversity amongst the people that do buy our products.

So, do you ultimately see your products sold in the local mall?
Absolutely. We want to get SRT out as quickly as possible. Is everyone going to be wearing a pendant? No. But, we want SRT to take part in food production, computer production, auto production, cell phone production… Right now, we are working on building a strong platform in the consumer market. Bringing Equilibrio to the mainstream requires being responsible, not making silly claims, and thorough testing, not blasting out as many products as possible and heading to the beach. If I wanted to do that, I’d have stayed in investment banking. I would be there by now.

Gotta love the US Economy…

Few potential First Ladies in history have been as involved in the upcoming election as Michelle Obama. However, it’s her unwavering devotion to both her family and her job that make her an inspiration to women everywhere.

In light of her long-standing quest to encourage voting among youth (especially through voter registration and information site voteforchange.com) and our tireless effort to encourage young African Americans to vote on November 4, I had the pleasure of grabbing an exclusive interview with Mrs. Obama for HelloBeautiful.com.

But I didn’t want to make this totally about politics – I’m sure you ladies are curious about how she handles being a working mom so effortlessly, too! Below, read about what our lady of the year has to say about her role in one of America’s most important campaigns, and later, find out about how she balances working, being a mom, and keeping that ‘do so shiny!

PART 1

HB: How old were you when you first registered to vote?
MO: I registered to vote as soon as I could. From a very early age, my parents instilled in me the importance of voting. My father volunteered as a precinct captain for the Democratic Party in our neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, and some of my earliest memories are of me tagging along as he went from door to door, registering people to vote. If our neighbors needed absentee ballots, he arranged it. He helped them figure out how they’d get to the voting booth on Election Day.

He did this because he believed in the value of each person’s voice in the political process. I’ve never forgotten that lesson. And everywhere I go in this country, I urge people to exercise their right to vote, to learn about the issues at stake in this election, where the candidates stand on the issues, and what their plans are for our future. And then, once they’ve become informed, they’ve got to get active, and make their voices heard on Election Day, by voting.

No matter who you vote for, you’ve got to vote. It’s one of our most sacred responsibilities as citizens. When we vote, we strengthen our democracy and our nation.

What kind of America would you like to see for Sasha and Malia?
That’s what keeps me going through this campaign-thinking about that better country and world that I want to help create for my children and all children. When Barack first started talking seriously about running for President, my initial reaction was something like, “Absolutely not! Please don’t do this!” I thought politics was a mean, rough business. And the last thing in the world I wanted was to turn my girls’ lives upside down.

But then I took a step back, and I thought about the world I want my girls to grow up in: a world where they’ll be paid fairly for their work. Where they won’t have to choose between their kids and their careers. Where they can dream without limits and achieve those dreams without a glass ceiling ever standing in their way.

It’s a world where no one goes bankrupt because of an illness or injury… where anyone who is willing to work for it can make a good living and support their families… and where every child gets the opportunity to go to good schools, no matter where they live or how much money their family has.

I realized that if that’s the world I want for my girls, then I had to do my part to ensure that someone like Barack would be president. Because he is the person who can lead us to that better future. I believe that with all my heart. And that’s why, over the last 20 months, I’ve traveled across the country talking with people about why I know Barack will make an extraordinary President. I truly believe that helping Barack become President is the best investment I could ever make in my daughters’ future, and in all our children’s futures. Because I want all our sons and daughters to have opportunities that we as parents and grandparents could only dream of.

Describe a typical day as a mom/political wife/overall busy woman.
When I’m campaigning, my days typically start between 5:00 and 6:00 am. I get up, get the girls up, and help them get ready for their day. Once I drop them off to school, I try to fit in a workout, so, if I can, I’m off to the gym for about an hour. By mid-morning, I’m boarding a plane to campaign for my husband. A lot of my days on the road include hosting roundtable discussions with working women or military families, speaking at rallies, and meeting with community leaders. Just this week, I spoke at four rallies across Florida, and two in Ohio, encouraging folks to vote today since early voting has already begun in both states.

In between all of that, I make calls to local radio stations, and have interviews with television and newspaper reporters. So, needless to say, my campaign days are very full! And at the end of the day, my staff and I head back to Chicago. And when I get home, I’m greeted by two beaming little faces that I’ve been thinking about all day long.

On days when I’m not on the road, I’m spending time with the girls, getting them to school, soccer games, dance recitals and pizza parties – typical mom stuff.

What advice do you have for parents trying to get their children interested in politics? What about for parents who don’t know much about politics themselves?
I think that a lot of children will follow their parents’ lead. As I said earlier, my earliest political memories are of me tagging along with my father as he went door to door, registering our neighbors to vote, and helping folks get involved in the political process. And I didn’t realize it then, but his influence instilled a sense of pride and responsibility in the right to vote. One of the incredible things that we’ve seen throughout this election are the families across the country who have come out to campaign events and volunteered at the local office together.

For those parents who don’t know much about politics themselves, or haven’t been politically active, I would urge them to get involved. Take a few minutes each day to read the paper with your children, or watch the news instead of a movie or TV show, and talk with your children about what’s happening around them. This is an historic election, and an exciting one, so it’s a great opportunity to get involved. And participating in our democracy, and working together to bring the change we need, is what this campaign is all about.

So I urge all parents out there to bring their children with them to the polls on November 4th. Let them watch you vote.

Why do you think kids were so in the dark about politics before this year’s election?
Well, I think that so many young people – and plenty of not-so-young people – have become cynical about politics. So often, the political conversation isn’t about the issues that matter to people’s lives. It’s about the back-and-forth between the different sides, which really isn’t what most people care about. And you can see the effects in the policies that Washington has implemented-for the past eight years, we’ve had policies that really haven’t valued families or supported hardworking Americans. But that’s changing now, with this campaign. And that’s one of the greatest things that I’ve seen over the last 20 months – folks who were never involved in the political process are becoming interested, and investing their time and money in Barack’s campaign, because they believe in his message of change, and want to bridge the gap between the “world as it is” and the “world as it should be.”

Young people are worried about how they’re going to pay for their college education, or if they’ll be able to get a job when they graduate. They want to see the war in Iraq come to a responsible end. But most of all, I think people want to have a leader in the White House who understands the everyday challenges of everybody Americans–somebody who gets it. And Barack gets it.

Young people have been the backbone of this campaign from the beginning. They’ve been our most passionate and inspired volunteers. I think that’s because they know just how much this election matters, and seem to know better than anyone else that if we come together and work together, we can finally bring the change our country needs. And that begins with casting their ballots for change on November 4th.

Every First Lady has a cause (Nancy Reagan was anti-drugs, Hillary Clinton was healthcare, Laura Bush – heart disease, etc.). What’s yours?
Well, my first responsibility will be to my girls. It’s a big transition to move to a new city and home, so I’d focus first on making sure that they’re comfortable and happy.

Once they’re settled, I would keep working on finding ways to support working women and families. To me, policies that support families aren’t just political; they’re personal. They’re the issues I carry in my heart every single day. And that’s why, since very early in the campaign, I’ve been hosting roundtable discussions with working women and military families to hear firsthand the concerns of women in their communities, and to help communicate Barack’s plan to support America’s families.

These discussions have been amazing. I’ve really treasured these conversations. It’s been so important to me to hear their voices and their stories. As First Lady, I would keep these conversations going, and bring stories back to my husband and his staff. Our president needs to understand the challenges that working women and military families face. So in an Obama White House, those conversations will keep happening… so that women and families can have more of a voice in our government, and government can help ease the burden they carry every day.

Then, I’d like to bring more people into public service. At the beginning of my career, I left corporate America to help start Public Allies Chicago, a leadership training program affiliated with AmeriCorps. It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Public Allies has trained more than 350 young people for careers in public service-creating ripples of change that spread through communities across Chicago. I would love to use the White House as a platform to encourage more young people to get involved in their communities, and use their skills and talents to invest in places where their help is needed the most.

How would you sum up your youth voting campaign into a sentence or two?
For months, I have been talking with young people across the country about the importance of participating in this historic election. Young people have an opportunity here that doesn’t come along very often. It’s an opportunity to choose new leaders, change the direction of our country, shape our future. It’s a chance to change the world. We don’t want to wake up on November 5th wishing we’d gotten involved. We can’t let this opportunity pass us by.

CLICK HERE FOR PART TWO!!

Mercura Eyewear founders Merrilee Lichtenstein Cohen and Rachel Cohen-Lunning sit down with HB’s Madison Mobley to talk about how they went from mini-designers to fierce eyewear mavens.

HB: How did Mercura come into being? What inspired the name?
MERRILEE/RACHEL: MERCURA SUNGLASSES NYC came into being when we first moved into the Hotel Chelsea in 1975, working together as a sister team. The name is a combination of our family and given names and mythology (MER = the sea, or mermaids, in French; for Merrilee, CU is the guttural part for Cohen; RA = Mediterranean for sun, or “sun worshippers” for Rachel) and NYC, of course, is our location. The name is the reflection of two daring young artists who knew of no other name like it in the world. We also knew it sounded very exotic. Our neighbor, an advertising executive, invented it while we planned to move to NYC.

Also, we really liked mythology. Mercury, the messenger, is so strongly identified with New York City, where the message is sent, and we have so many messages to send. The feminine of the Y is the A. In the 1970′s there were very few female eyewear designers – as a matter of fact, we cannot think of any others!

What makes Mercura so different from its competitors?
We never really even considered competitors; they just popped up at us. We thought about using little sculptures to be macquettes for organic buildings; the enameled metal sculptures we made could be airports or schools of the future. Frank Stella came after us with his enameled metals, and a decade later, we noticed local artists in Chelsea making big sculptures with the same feel in the same materials we used. Our eyewear still has the same organic sensibility of our early sculptures. Andy Warhol wanted us to make our works twenty feet high, and this may still happen.

We have always, most importantly and truly, wanted to decorate windows around the world in the images of our eyewear. This may be our next step, as opposed to simply manufacturing our work. It is impossible to manufacture our work.

Talk a bit about Mercura’s eyewear philosophy with respect to your use of non-traditional frame shapes.
We always wished to celebrate the individuality of people in all walks of life and create celebrity mystique. And, as you have said, “turn the person into a personality.”

Your products range from being very architectural in style to very whimsical and surreal. What frames have you found to be the most popular amongst your clients?
Each frame appeals to a different part of the wearers’ persona; there are no frames more popular than others.

Where can one typically purchase Mercura accessories? Do you have plans to mass-produce your products while still somehow holding true to Mercura’s art of customization?
One can typically purchases from us at this point. We can refer customers to stores in their neighborhood or around the world, but we have the biggest, most satisfying buying experience here in Chelsea. We are also happy to work with individuals through the internet worldwide to give them exactly what they need.

What is your vision for Mercura in the coming decades?
We envision MERCURA SUNGLASSES NYC fenestrations on huge modern buildings, MERCURA SUNGLASSES NYC building complexes, sculptures and, absolutely, eyewear still made by us!

All photographs by Eric Martin
Models provided by Hilory Beckford Management