http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/06/AR2005120600022.html
Beyonce Keeps On Turning
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Tuesday, December 6, 2005; Page C01
Even with a Kennedy Center Honors crowd primed and ready for the obligatory "surprise" celebrity appearances, the announcement near the very end of Sunday's show sent a thrill through the room:
"Ladies and gentlemen -- Beyonce ."
Beyonce Knowles did Tina Turner proud with her second take of "Proud Mary." (Joan Marcus)
And there she was, Miz Bootylicious herself, in a sparkly thigh-baring Bob Mackie thingy and stilettos, flinging that mane of hair, pumping those curvy gams and belting "Proud Mary" in such a perfect channeling of honoree Tina Turner circa 1971 that the kind of people who probably don't know from Destiny's Child -- and face it, that's mostly who goes to these things -- were going berserk.
What could be better? Try a second take. Due to a mike problem, the hip-hop princess taped a do-over for the television broadcast of the show -- but after the audience had left for dinner, reports our colleague Teresa Wiltz. So the only folks watching a performance that producers say blew the first one out of the water were a few Secret Service officers, a highly appreciative core of ushers -- and Turner herself, who lingered behind and blew kisses from the presidential box as Beyonce worked up a second sweat.
"I don't know how you did that," the breathless 24-year-old called up to Turner as she concluded the high-aerobic routine. "I'm about to pass out!"
It was a memorable moment of diva graciousness -- and then it was over. As some 1,800 donors, politicians and performers took their seats in the Grand Foyer for the traditional post-show dinner, Turner's table was empty. She and four friends had decamped to Georgetown's Bistro Francais.
Though the gala comes at the end of a wearying weekend of fetes, it is customary for honorees to make at least a short appearance for dinner to greet VIP and not-so-VIP fans. Eyebrows were raised, but Turner's rep insisted it was no snub: After sticking around for the retake, she went backstage to thank Beyonce (whose Mackie dress Turner once wore), Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah , who all had paid tribute to her in the show. "It was late when we were done and dinner had been served so we decided to get a quick bite on the way to the hotel," said spokeswoman Michele Schweitzer . At the bistro, Turner ordered the Black Angus sirloin and signed autographs for fans until 1 a.m.
The Kennedy Centers Honors will air Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
Beyonce Keeps On Turning
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Tuesday, December 6, 2005; Page C01
Even with a Kennedy Center Honors crowd primed and ready for the obligatory "surprise" celebrity appearances, the announcement near the very end of Sunday's show sent a thrill through the room:
"Ladies and gentlemen -- Beyonce ."
Beyonce Knowles did Tina Turner proud with her second take of "Proud Mary." (Joan Marcus)
And there she was, Miz Bootylicious herself, in a sparkly thigh-baring Bob Mackie thingy and stilettos, flinging that mane of hair, pumping those curvy gams and belting "Proud Mary" in such a perfect channeling of honoree Tina Turner circa 1971 that the kind of people who probably don't know from Destiny's Child -- and face it, that's mostly who goes to these things -- were going berserk.
What could be better? Try a second take. Due to a mike problem, the hip-hop princess taped a do-over for the television broadcast of the show -- but after the audience had left for dinner, reports our colleague Teresa Wiltz. So the only folks watching a performance that producers say blew the first one out of the water were a few Secret Service officers, a highly appreciative core of ushers -- and Turner herself, who lingered behind and blew kisses from the presidential box as Beyonce worked up a second sweat.
"I don't know how you did that," the breathless 24-year-old called up to Turner as she concluded the high-aerobic routine. "I'm about to pass out!"
It was a memorable moment of diva graciousness -- and then it was over. As some 1,800 donors, politicians and performers took their seats in the Grand Foyer for the traditional post-show dinner, Turner's table was empty. She and four friends had decamped to Georgetown's Bistro Francais.
Though the gala comes at the end of a wearying weekend of fetes, it is customary for honorees to make at least a short appearance for dinner to greet VIP and not-so-VIP fans. Eyebrows were raised, but Turner's rep insisted it was no snub: After sticking around for the retake, she went backstage to thank Beyonce (whose Mackie dress Turner once wore), Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah , who all had paid tribute to her in the show. "It was late when we were done and dinner had been served so we decided to get a quick bite on the way to the hotel," said spokeswoman Michele Schweitzer . At the bistro, Turner ordered the Black Angus sirloin and signed autographs for fans until 1 a.m.
The Kennedy Centers Honors will air Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
