Is Amal Clooney Throwing Shade At Her Husband And His Pals?

In a mostly straightforward interview, Amal Clooney talks about deep political issues... then she throws some shade.

(Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

(Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Amal Clooney sat down for her very first U.S. interview. Speaking with NBC‘s Cynthia McFadden, she used the opportunity to draw attention to her representation of Mohamed Nasheed, former president of Maldives, who was forced out office and thrown in jail.

The treatment of Nasheed has drawn international outrage, and, unsurprisingly, Clooney had harsh words for the situation:

Democracy is dead in the Maldives. Literally, if there were an election now there would be no one to run against the president. Every opposition leader is either behind bars or being pursued by the government through the courts.

Clooney wants the U.S. to freeze the accounts of Maldivian officials responsible for the political repression.

All of this makes for a newsworthy, but pretty straightforward interview. Then she was asked about the spate of celebrities that have chosen to speak out about various political situations — like her husband George Clooney, or his pal Brad Pitt — and that’s when the shade began to fly:

I think it’s wonderful that celebrities would choose to spend their time or energy or, you know, the spotlight that they have to raise awareness about these causes. I don’t really see myself in the same way because I’m still doing the same job that I used to do before.

Sponsored

I guess those who cannot do, or cannot even teach, at least call attention.

As People reports, that part of the interview was definitely about her hubby:

McFadden seemed to be alluding to Clooney’s actor husband, George Clooney. “If there’s more attention paid – for whatever reason – to that, then I think that’s good,” Clooney said. “I think there is a certain responsibility that comes with that. And you know, I think I’m exercising it in an appropriate manner by continuing to do this kind of work.”

Let me translate that quote for you, from refined, delightful British to some real talk:

“Yeah, my job is kinda of a big deal, but you know you never would have aired this interview in prime time if I wasn’t boning George mutherf*cking Clooney, so, you know, I’ll take it. Oh, and the situation in the Maldives is still messed up AF, so the U.S. better get on that sh*t.”

Sponsored

Amal Clooney Takes Maldives Human-Rights Battle to Washington [NBC News]
Amal Clooney Reveals How She Uses Her Fame for a Good Cause and Her New Fight: ‘I’m Still Doing the Same Job I Did Before’ [People]