Obama liked it so put his West Wing power on it: Pop songstress Beyonce entertained guests at the president's second official state dinner on Wednesday evening. The event was to honor the visit of Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, and Mexican first lady, Margarita Zavala. The leader of the free world invited hundreds of guests to feast at "la Casa Blanca"and enjoy the musical stylings of "Sasha Fierce" and Mexican duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Following a meal prepared by celeb chef Rick Bayless, guests headed to a tent on the South Lawn for dessert and what Obama called "the real party." The prez introduced Beyonce as "someone you may have heard of" and announced his mission to get the Mexican commander and his wife out on the dance floor. Beyonce Knowles (as she's known to her mother and father) donned asequined floor-length Ralph and Russo gown for the occasion. Her look was capped off with a new blondehairdo styled in Charlie's Angels-esque feathered waves.
Oprah was among the luminaries in attendance at Wednesday's gala event,as was comedian George Lopez and actresses Eva Longoria and SalmaHayek.
[See more stunning photos of Beyonce]
The State Dinner was not first time Beyonce performed for the first family. She previously sang at Obama's "We Are One" inaugural concert and provided the soundtrack for Barack and Michelle's first dance the night of their inauguration. (She sang the Etta James classic, "At Last," much to the joking chagrin of James, who caused a media ruckus by claiming couldn't stand Ms. Knowles.)
And who could forget the famous Twitpic of Jay-Z seated at the head of the table in the White House Situation Room, flanked by his lovely wife in a yellow dress. (That photo was taken when music's power couple joined R&B artist, Trey Songz, on a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.) Jay-Z also suited up for the White House fiesta. He is well known to be a fan of the commander in chief: around the time of Obama's election to the Presidency, Jay-Z wrote a song in his honor, which includes the lyrics: "Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly."
Turns out the feeling is mutual between Obama and the rapper also known as Sean Carter: "Barack loves hip-hop,"Jay told MTV in a discussion about his relationship with the president. "When I called him he was playing [The] Blueprint in the gym."
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