Amal is Barbara Walters Most Fascinating Person of the Year

And here:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]



Amal Clooney is Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of 2014!

Amal Alamuddin Clooney has been named Barbara Walters’ Most Fascinating Person of 2014!
It was noted in the piece that the 36-year-old lawyer was the woman who was able to get her new husband George Clooney to walk down the aisle after proclaiming many years ago that he would never get married again.
Amal did not give an interview for the piece, so Barbara gave a quick recap of her life, career, and relationship with George.
“Amazingly, Amal has been the subject of very little snark or envy. Maybe because we, like George Clooney, find it impossible to resist perfection. Or maybe because it is heartening to think that no matter how long it may take, the perfect someone is out there for everyone. And that for us makes her the most fascinating person of 2014,” Barbara said to wrap up the special.

Barbara Walters programme on Gossip Cop

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


Amal Clooney Is “Most Fascinating Person” Of 2014

Amal Clooney is 2014’s “Most Fascinating Person.” Barbara Walters revealed her annual pick on Sunday’s “Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People” special, which aired on ABC.
“What does it take to fascinate one of the most fascinating men in the world,” asked the veteran journalist, adding, “She is known primarily through her spouse” George Clooney.
“We know little about her,” said Walters, who noted Amal’s husband, however, has “fascinated many women.” She then said Amal’s now been thrust into the stratosphere along the “Jacki Os, and the Princess Dis and the Kate Middletons.” Walters felt Amal getting Clooney to the altar was “one of the greatest achievements in history.”
Walters, who didn’t have an interview with Amal, pointed out how she and her husband are committed to human rights issues and are both the children of journalists. The former “View” host gave a little background about Amal being a high-powered attorney and how the couple met at a charity dinner in Italy. Walters concluded that it gives everyone hope that there’s the “perfect person out there” for everyone, which is why she was tapped “our Most Fascinating Person of 2014.”
Walters’ list, which dates back to 1993, usually includes a mix of celebrities, public figures, and politicians. This year’s roundup featured Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, Neil Patrick Harris, “Game Of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin, Chelsea Handler, businessman and philanthropist David Koch, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Strahan, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, and Amal Clooney.
Amal Clooney follows previous top honorees Hillary Clinton (2013), David Petraeus (2012), Steve Jobs (2011), and David Petraeus (again, 2010). Walters retired from her regular broadcast duties on “The View” and “20/20″ earlier this year, and last year’s “Most Fascinating” special was expected to be her last.
She has made sporadic TV appearances over the last few months, and announced the return of her yearly program in October. What do you think of Walters’ 2014 “Most Fascinating” selection?

I wonder why no current interview.  The top "person" is always interviewed (like the others in the program), if I remember correctly.  Interesting.

 "Walters felt Amal getting Clooney to the altar was “one of the greatest achievements in history.”    

Welcome, ANN!

All previous interviews have been relevant to her work, eg ICC, Egypt, Ukraine, Greece, and I don't think that's going to change. The rest have been legal conferences in for instance The Hague or in Bahrain

"With her marriage to Clooney, Walters says, Amal joins the ranks of Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton -- everything she does, says or wears is officially... fascinating."
This is ridiculous. Is she only fascinating because she's married to George? What a feminist that Barbara Walters...

I also take issue with Barbara's observation that the marriage was a result of Amal capturing George. I would probably assume that George pursued her for the most part. As we recall it was George who had to convince Amal to even go out with him.

I think she needs Howard Stern for back up!! Seem to recall him saying he'd spent an hour or two talking to Amal, and was quoted as saying she was fascinating

The photos from last night are great - Our Hero looks very proud of her

PAN, when did Howard Srern meet Amal? That's interesting.

There is an element of intrigue to Amal simply because we just don't know much about her. We have never heard her speak on anything personal. We don't know much of her personality except tidbits revealed by some of her coworkers and friends. She has a incredible fashion sense, knows fashion, and dresses incredibly well. She is this high profile international human rights lawyer with impeccable credentials. And she attracted the serious attention of a man who for most of his adult life has shunned the idea of ever marrying again.

He met her this year and spent one or  two hours with her and said he 'totally gets it'.Will try and find it.

In the meantime here's an interview with Ronan Farrow who's a friend of hers and says she also specialises in leaks and privacy law....!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Donnamarie wrote:PAN, when did Howard Srern meet Amal?  That's interesting.  

There is an element of intrigue to Amal simply because we just don't know much about her.  We have never heard her speak on anything personal.  We don't know much of her personality except tidbits revealed by some of her coworkers and friends.  She has a incredible fashion sense, knows fashion, and dresses incredibly well.  She is this high profile international human rights lawyer with impeccable credentials. And she attracted the serious attention of a man who for most of his adult life has shunned the idea of ever marrying again.

Met Howard Stern last New Year's in Cabo.  Howard goes to Jimmy Kimmel's place there--also Jennifer Anniston and Justin Theroux there I think.  There was a New Year's Eve party where he met Amal.

Thanks PAN and fava. I did see the Ronan Farrow article a few months ago. One the few who provided some insight into Amal and her work.

vox.com:



Amal Clooney married down. She's way more fascinating than George.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
 By Kelsey McKinney 55 minutes ago    





View photo
.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Amal Alamuddin Clooney is a human rights activist and lawyer. She has had an incredibly successful professional career. Yet when Barbara Walters named her the "Most Fascinating Person of 2014," she didn't do so for Clooney's great work in her field, but for marrying a movie star.
In her presentation of the award, Walters calls marrying George Clooney "one of the greatest achievements in human history." She then lists all of the women that Clooney dated in the last ten years before even getting to Amal.
Walters focuses on what Amal has worn, and how well she snatched up George Clooney, but glosses over the things Amal has done that are truly fascinating.
Not only is Amal Clooney an Oxford and NYU educated lawyer with a track record of working with highly esteemed judges, but she's fluent in English, French, and Arabic. That's two more languages than George.
As a student at NYU worked as a clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit with Sonia Sotomayor, who is now a supreme court justice. Clooney is an entertainment lawyer, who is so well esteemed that she is often asked to advise on cases that are not her specialty. She served as an advisor to the United Nations as a consultant on crises in Syria and Lebanon, and has many high-profile clients.
In 2014 alone, Clooney has worked with British Foreign Secretary William Hague "to discuss how to drive forward international action to protect children in conflict zones from rape and sexual violence." She was appointed to a three person UN committee to look at violations of the rules of war in the Gaza Strip, but she turned down the job because—as she wrote in a statement—she was, "horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, particularly the civilian casualties that have been caused, and strongly believe that there should be an independent investigation and accountability for crimes that have been committed."
Instead, Clooney chose to take on one of the most controversial cases in art history—the property disputes over the sculptures taken from the Greek Parthenon that currently are on display in the British National museum. Despite the media hype surrounding her husband and their marriage, Clooney is still going to work every day.
Barbara Walters is wrong. Amal Clooney isn't fascinating because she joined "the ranks of Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton" by marrying a rich and noteworthy man. Amal Clooney is fascinating because she is, in her own right, a badass.

PigPen wrote:vox.com:



Amal Clooney married down. She's way more fascinating than George.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
 By Kelsey McKinney 55 minutes ago    





View photo
.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Amal Alamuddin Clooney is a human rights activist and lawyer. She has had an incredibly successful professional career. Yet when Barbara Walters named her the "Most Fascinating Person of 2014," she didn't do so for Clooney's great work in her field, but for marrying a movie star.
In her presentation of the award, Walters calls marrying George Clooney "one of the greatest achievements in human history." She then lists all of the women that Clooney dated in the last ten years before even getting to Amal.
Walters focuses on what Amal has worn, and how well she snatched up George Clooney, but glosses over the things Amal has done that are truly fascinating.
Not only is Amal Clooney an Oxford and NYU educated lawyer with a track record of working with highly esteemed judges, but she's fluent in English, French, and Arabic. That's two more languages than George.
As a student at NYU worked as a clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit with Sonia Sotomayor, who is now a supreme court justice. Clooney is an entertainment lawyer, who is so well esteemed that she is often asked to advise on cases that are not her specialty. She served as an advisor to the United Nations as a consultant on crises in Syria and Lebanon, and has many high-profile clients.
In 2014 alone, Clooney has worked with British Foreign Secretary William Hague "to discuss how to drive forward international action to protect children in conflict zones from rape and sexual violence." She was appointed to a three person UN committee to look at violations of the rules of war in the Gaza Strip, but she turned down the job because—as she wrote in a statement—she was, "horrified by the situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, particularly the civilian casualties that have been caused, and strongly believe that there should be an independent investigation and accountability for crimes that have been committed."
Instead, Clooney chose to take on one of the most controversial cases in art history—the property disputes over the sculptures taken from the Greek Parthenon that currently are on display in the British National museum. Despite the media hype surrounding her husband and their marriage, Clooney is still going to work every day.
Barbara Walters is wrong. Amal Clooney isn't fascinating because she joined "the ranks of Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton" by marrying a rich and noteworthy man. Amal Clooney is fascinating because she is, in her own right, a badass.

The most fascinating person 2014. And marrying GC is one of the greatest achievements in human history.

Seriously this is one of the most patethic things I've read in a long time.

I would assume most people who know Amal well, work with her or are her friends thinks she is amazing in her right. Nothing to do with George.

Again, as I've said before, I detest these most (fill in the blank) person of the year lists. It's such a subjective determination. It just gives people who don't appreciate whoever is at the top of the list ammunition to criticize them. All those Taylor Swift fans are probably now dissing Amal. Amal who?

Amal is a really smart woman. Let's hope she stays grounded and keeps her priorities straight and does not get sucked up into this new celebrity status that has been thrust upon her. I'm sure George will his do his part. He's a pro.

Codexchick wrote:"With her marriage to Clooney, Walters says, Amal joins the ranks of Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton -- everything she does, says or wears is officially... fascinating."
This is ridiculous. Is she only fascinating because she's married to George? What a feminist that Barbara Walters...

Comparing this woman to Princess Diana makes me unhappy most of all. Babs need to retire asap. More fascinating outfits are coming at Golden Globes, she is not going back to work until then it seems!

JDonnamarie wrote:I would assume most people who know Amal well, work with her or are her friends thinks she is amazing in her right.  Nothing to do with George.

Again, as I've said before, I detest these most (fill in the blank) person of the year lists.  It's such a subjective determination. It just gives people who don't appreciate whoever is at the top of the list ammunition to criticize them. All those Taylor Swift fans are probably now dissing Amal.  Amal who?

Amal is a really smart woman.  Let's hope she stays grounded and keeps her priorities straight and does not get sucked up into this new celebrity status that has been thrust upon her.  I'm  sure George will his do his part.  He's a pro.

She is an amazing woman in her own right---but that is not why she was chosen.  She was chosen because of the man in her life. Really disappointed in Barbara Walters.  Didn't the fact that she couldn't get an interview make Her realize she should chose someone else.

... Despite the media hype surrounding her husband and their marriage, Clooney is still going to work every day.


This is the line that got me.

But then, maybe she's telecommuting.

Could mean George is going to work... LOL

I think Walters seriously misspoke about why Amal is the most fascinating person. She got it all wrong. She got her professional credentials right but shes putting Amal on a pedestal for the wrong reasons. The whole thing is just so inconsequential anyway. And I agree with those who take issue with Walters comparing her to Diana, Jackie and Kate. Totally inappropriate. I think Amal would agree.

Most Fascinating?

Ah hell, she shits like everyone else and farts too.

Kinda over the Amal is the greatest thing since sliced bread view. She bagged him, they're making it work - for now.

Let's move on to something more interesting. And that's all she wrote!

I wasted 2 hours of my life watching that show last night. I was cringing at the inane, predictable questions Barbara was asking the celebs. At first I was really upset that she explained that Amal was fascinating because she bagged Prince George instead of talking about her accomplishments. Later I realized that the whole show was really bad. Barbara truly called it in last night. I think she needs to retire.

I'm extremely glad that Amal didn't give her an interview. The lawyer needs to continue lawyering and stay away from showbiz.

Since she's perfect, maybe Amal is Wife Barbie!

Well Barbara has semi-retired. She's no longer working on The View and I think this is probably her swan song for her yearly Most Fascinating People. I think she's having memory issues.

Anyhoo, perhaps someone else will take over the reigns and give us some truly fascinating people in the future.

I think all the people who interview celebrities wanted to interview her.  It would be a "big get." Barbara always bragged about all the big interviews she had been able to get.  I think she was trying to add Amal to her own career accomplishments but it did not work. the previews for the show were cringe-worthy to me so I didn't watch.  She needs to stay retired.

You all can jump all over me, but I think Barbara Walters got it right (except for choosing Amal in the first place). I'm not knocking Amal's professional accomplishments, but there are a lot of women who have amazing careers and a lot who do amazing things in the world with little or no recognition.

Millions of women are well educated and multi-lingual. They work alongside all of us every day, unknown outside of their own circles. Millions of other women could achieve amazing things if the world didn't deny them the opportunity

Amal dresses well and has an interesting sense of fashion. So do millions of other women who don't have the money to indulge it the way she does, yet still manage to look great. Millions of women are beautiful.

IMO what makes Amal stand out from the millions of other successful women is the fact that she married George. Without that she is interesting. That she married him fascinates us because, I think, we're still trying to figure out how she did it and what he saw in her that sets her apart from everyone else for him.

Yep and amen.

I think I wrote something similar to your first couple of paragraphs back when George and Amal first got engaged.

I hope Mama Bear Alamuddin has warned her star child against resting on her laurels. Hollywood wives are rarely fascinating.

Walters is an idiot to pick Amal as the most fascinating person of 2014. the reason is because she married a man that swore he would never marry again. That's very weak and I expected more from a female that calls herself a journalist. Amal is certainly interesting, but hardly the most fascinating person of the year. This is absurd, no wonder there was no interview. I am a fan of George & his bride but crap like this not going to ein over any new fans.

I think we can all agree that we find different people fascinating. It's subjective. There will be people who think Amal was "worthy" of the distinction. There will be many others who will think not. It's hype and BS . This will be talked about for a couple of days and then everyone moves on. Im not going to say that Amal isn't fascinating. I think she is in her own way, and intriguing as I've said here before. But that's because I want to know more about her and I know so little. And she is very accomplished. But like was said in earlier posts there are thousands of very accomplished and brilliant women out there. How are you supposed to pick just one? Barbara's show is so lame.
And the reasons that she based her pick for most fascinating woman on the fact that Amal was able to catch and marry George was idiotic and just shows poor judgement on Barbara's part.

Has it crossed anyone else's mind that Walters thought she had the "get" of the year in picking Amal, and then George nixed the interview? Think about it. Has it ever happened that Walters didn't have her top pick for a live interview? I'm sure Amal was asked when the list was being assimilated. Could there have been a 'yes,' and then a renege when it was too late to do anything about it?

And George and Amal go out to dinner at a papped hangout on the same night the show airs?

Just musing here. I don't watch her shows, but it seems ridiculous to pick a person and then have to run footage of them after interviews of the nine people she "beat out."

No? Just me?

I thought I read (could be wrong!) that she never named anyone to the top spot without an interview.  So at the very least it's unusual--mostly everyone in the top 10 gives an interview.  Howard Stern said yesterday he was once asked and said no--he did not make in on the list without that interview. 

And the "top" spot without talking to the person is just a tease for nothing.  Why not number 6?

Maybe George was for it and Amal balked? He is the one whose career depends more on publicity of this type.  She hasn't given interviews and I assume he can't really stop her if she is determined.  Or maybe they have a better, more substantive interview lined up?  60 minutes?   Or another more serious, non-fluff venue?

Maybe this whole thing was a "fluff" piece.  Being nice to George.  Highlighting Amal, getting her press ( not that she needs it).  PR in over drive, perhaps.  Sort of on the idea of when they got engaged and there was a flood of "she's brilliant" press/statements.  Eventually/hopefully this will all die down, after ward season. 

Golden Globes press ought to be hilarious... Amal wore blah blah blah, Amal ate blah blah blah, Amal beamed when George thanked her on stage.  Amal was best dressed.  Etc etc ad nauseum.  LOL

It's just overall strange and completely unnecessary. First it was that nomination for the style awards, now this. They're trying to make her a celebrity, and I hope she will keep her distance. Hopefully, in a year from now, this nonsense will all be over...

Yes it probably will be all over soon.
It's really inevitable and still using the Clooney name
to make big bucks from.
I think Amal will keep away from all the hype,
as well as she can anyway.

Agree Joanna.