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Robyn Beck/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Via video from the White House, Michelle Obama revealed the winner of Best Movie at the Academy Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles, with help on stage from the actor Jack Nicholson.

She may not have walked the red carpet, but Michelle Obama — all bangs and biceps and bling — had her own star turn during Sunday night's Academy Awards, when she announced the winner for best picture via satellite from the White House.

Mrs. Obama opened the shiny envelope opening revealing the winner, "Argo," the Ben Affleck-directed film about a C.I.A. plan to rescue Americans from Iran during the hostage crisis, from the Diplomatic Room of the White House during a dinner for governors.

As she stood in a shimmering gown — designed by Naeem Khan, a favorite of the first lady — and surrounded by a group of White House military social aides, Mrs. Obama described the full list of nominees, many of them films with political undercurrents.

"These nine movies took us back in time and all around the world," she said. "They made us laugh, they made us weep, and they made us grip our armrests just a little tighter. They taught us that love can endure against all odds and transform our lives in the most surprising ways, and they reminded us that we can overcome any obstacle if we can dig deep enough and fight hard enough and find the courage to believe in ourselves."

Then, the gold envelope was opened, "Argo" was declared the winner and the attention quickly returned to perhaps the only industry that makes Washington appear self-effacing.

"The Academy Awards approached the first lady about being a part of the ceremony," said Kristina Schake, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Obama. "As a movie lover, she was honored to present the award and celebrate the artists who inspire us all, especially our young people, with their passion, skill and imagination."

After lying low following an intense campaign season, Mrs. Obama has been trickling back onto the scene with some of her pet causes lately. Last week, to kick off the third year of her Let's Move campaign, which encourages children to exercise, she appeared with Jimmy Fallon (dressed in drag) to present the "Evolution of Mom Dancing."

She has also reunited with Big Bird for two public service announcements encouraging children to eat healthy and get active, in which the two demonstrate a love of healthy snacks and exercise. She will take that theme on the road this week to Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri, all in a clear signal that the campaign will remain a significant part of her second-term agenda.

On Monday, Mrs. Obama was scheduled to meet with a group of governors as the National Governors Association meeting comes to a close.