Amal Clooney Doesn’t Consider Herself a Celebrity

Mrs. Clooney went to Washington — and NBC News tagged along.

Our favorite international human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, was interviewed by the news org about her work with the imprisoned former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed. It was her first American network TV interview and it was all business with little mention of her famous husband — that would be George — other than footage of them on the red carpet. And when she was asked about being a celebrity, her response was rather perfect, much like her.

Amal Clooney was interviewed by Cynthia McFadden for NBC Nightly News and the Today show. (Photo: NBC News)

“Many years ago, Angelina Jolie said she understood she was going to get attention and if she could use all of that light an energy toward her and turn it around,” NBC’s Cynthia McFadden said. “Is that how you feel about celebrity?”

The Oxford-educated, human rights crusader nodded as McFadden spoke — in what we can only guess was a way for someone with such a brilliant mind to process such a tedious question — and answered, “I think it’s wonderful that celebrities would choose to spend their time, energy, or the spotlight they have to raise awareness about these causes,” using the words “their” and “they” instead of “us” and “we” because she clearly doesn’t view herself in the same category as movie stars.

Clooney, who has held her job for 15 years, continued, “I don’t really see myself in the same way because I’m still doing the same job that I used to do before. If there is more attention paid to that for whatever reason…”

McFadden interjected, “Oh, you know the reason.”

With a smile, Amal finished her sentence, “…I think that’s good. I think there is a certain responsibility that comes with that. I think that I’m exercising it in an appropriate manner by continuing to do this kind of work.”

#TeamAmal. #TeamAmal. Forever and ever, #TeamAmal.