Subscribe to Mstars News!
Sign up for our weekly news updates by entering your email:
Ellen DeGeneres was recently honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor for her LGBT rights influence in the US. However, when she was on the door of the White House to attend the ceremony and meet with President Barack Obama, she was denied entry for not bringing any ID.
Ellen DeGeneres tweeted on her social media a picture of her sitting outside after being denied entry. She was one of the 21 people who was invited to the White House for the ceremony. The talk show host was joined by notable professionals and personalities including Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Jordan and more.
Prior to being awarded the Medal of Freedom, President Barack Obama delivered a comedic but heartfelt speech celebrating the achievements of Ellen DeGeneres, Huffington Post reports. Obama noted how DeGeneres risked her career to come out as a lesbian almost 20 years ago and described her as being kind and inspirational.
In addition to her LGBT rights influence, Obama also mentioned the positive influence of DeGeneres' comedic humor to the nation. "Ellen counters what too often divides us, with the countless things that bind us together, inspires us to be better, one joke, one dance at a time," Obama said.
Ellen DeGeneres was in tears when she received the award as the President hung the medal on her neck. The two hugged as there was a huge applause from the audience.
Before the ceremony commenced and after Ellen DeGeneres was let in the White House, she staged a social media trend called the Mannequin Challenge with a roomful of Medal of Freedom awardees and celebrities. According to Vanity Fair, the trending video which was posted has garnered thousands and likes and retweets features Ellen DeGeneres herself, Michael Jordan, Robert De Niro and Diana Ross.
