As we mentioned a few months ago, Barbra Streisand was chosen as a recipient for the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. The awards recognize individuals who helped “define American culture through the performing arts.”
And, this weekend Babs, a huge Barack Obama supporter, attended the A-list awards ceremony, where she was greeted by her nemesis, President Bush. So it was nothing short of funny when at the ceremony she received an awkward kiss from Bush. But, hey, at least she was polite enough to kiss back!
Though she did say “Art transcends politics this weekend,” adding that it would have been “lovely” if she received the award while Barack was in office.
Among those also receiving awards this weekend were Morgan Freeman and country singer George Jones.
As for Babs and Bush’s kiss, it was caught on tape and later replayed on video at a Kennedy Center gala, which the crowd couldn’t help but laugh at.
Opening the tribute to Streisand was Queen Latifah who said Babs “threw out the rule book” to form her own career. “She took to the stage like butter on a bagel.”
Other musicians paid tribute to Babs by singing her old songs, such as Beyonce, who sang The Way We Were. Even Ne-Yo was there and sang Babs’ hit from 1965, Lover, Come Back to Me, along with four male dancers.
Ne-Yo added, “Barbra Streisand is the epitome of emotion in music. You feel every word, that’s something that artists in my day and age don’t really pay attention to.” Why he was there, we’re not sure, but he was definitely coached nicely on what to say.
[Photo via Getty Images.]