Not to be left behind by other celebrities doing the viral video trend, Ellen DeGeneres transformed a room full of celebrities and dignitaries into a hilariously unexpected scene of guests posing as live-action statues. Yes, Ellen DeGeneres pulled off an epic mannequin challenge from the White House's green room.
This could be the most star-studded mannequin challenge to date. Joining in her fun antic were wife Portia de Rossi, award-winning actors Robert DeNiro and Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Tracee Ellis Ross and mother Diana Ross, basketball stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan, business magnate Bill Gates, Bruce Springsteen, Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón, experimental architect Frank Gehry, and other figures present in the room.
DeGeneres was among the stars invited to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barrack Obama. This honor is awarded to civilians who have made a significant contribution through their respective endeavors.
In what could have been a funny twist of fate, DeGeneres almost missed the ceremony and the chance to give everyone a good laugh with her wit and humor.
She earlier tweeted that she was not let in to the White House because she forgot her ID at home.
DeGeneres teared a bit receiving the award as President Obama acknowledged her courage and extensive efforts directed not only towards the LGBT community but to the whole nation.
"It's easy to forget now, when we've come so far, where now marriage is equal under the law, just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago," said President Obama.
He continued by saying, "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."
Toward the end of his speech, President Obama tried to lighten the mood by cracking a joke because was getting "choked up."
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