US pop star Madonna arrived in impoverished Malawi Sunday, airport officials said, to file documents allowing her to adopt a second Malawian child.
An employee said Madonna had checked into an exclusive lodge, accompanied by her son David Banda, whom she adopted in 2006 from the same Mchinji Home of Hope orphanage where 4-year-old Mercy lives. Madonna took David when he was 13-months-old after his father had placed him in an orphanage following the death of his wife.
The luxury lodge where Madonna normally stays in Malawi has been fully booked and visitors are being turned away. The employee said David's biological father Yohane Banda was at the lodge to see his son.
The local Nation newspaper this month quoted Madonna, 50, as saying Malawian friends had told her David needed a brother or sister and that she would consider adopting another child, but only with the support of the Malawian people.
Madonna toured an impoverished village in Malawi Sunday, the central African nation where officials said she was expected to begin proceedings this week to adopt a young girl called Mercy James.
Madonna, casually dressed with a white fedora, walked through the village of Chinkhota holding the hand of her 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes. Dozens of reporters looked on.
The family of Mercy James say they did not want her to go. Her uncles, who live in a remote rural area and are her closest relatives, said they had no idea who Madonna was.
The singer has an appointment with a judge in Malawi on Monday in the hope that the adoption papers will be signed.
But the uncles said they would agree only if Mercy was returned to them once she had completed her education and had a career.
The uncles have been persuaded over two years since Madonna first fell in love with the girl at the Kondanani children's village that giving Mercy up for adoption would be in her best interests.
But the child's family said they had been given no clear idea of what the future would hold for Mercy, whose mother died at 18, five days after giving birth to her, and whose father cannot be traced.
Mercy's uncles, Peter Baneti and John Ngalande, cannot read or write but will attend the court hearing in Lilongwe, Malawi's capital, which is a five-hour trip from their home.
Mr Baneti, a fisherman, said: "We never wanted to let Mercy go. She is part of our extended family and our culture.
"My mother, my brother and I all said no three times to the orphanage, which was pressing us on Madonna's behalf.
"Now we have been persuaded that Mercy can have a better, healthier life somewhere else in the world with this rich white woman."
Some Malawians opposed David's adoption, accusing the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from adopting children. Critics say Mercy's adoption would also violate Malawi's laws.
Austin Msowoya, legal researcher with Malawi's Law Commission, played down concerns that a second adoption by Madonna would violate any laws.
He said the best interests of the child needed to be taken into account - whether that was staying in an orphanage in Malawi or getting "an education with Madonna."
"When you look at these two options, then perhaps it becomes in the best interests of the child to allow the adoption if the parents and the guardians consent to it," he told Associated Press Television News on Saturday.
But Save the Children UK said the recently divorced superstar risked sending the wrong message by going through with the second adoption.
"International adoption can actually exacerbate the problem it hopes to solve," spokesman Dominic Nutt said. "The very existence of orphanages encourages poor parents to abandon children in the hope that they will have a better life."
Nutt said he was not suggesting that Madonna was doing anything wrong — but he said the whole process of international adoptions was often flawed and sometimes linked to criminal activity.
He said, barring exceptional circumstances, children should be kept in the care of their extended families or within their communities.
Save the Children UK asked the queen of pop to think before adopting oversees. "We urge any celebrity to set an example, to follow internationally agreed procedures to protect the child, and to ensure that the child in question has no other options in their home community."
Madonna's spokeswoman in New York, Liz Rosenberg and her lawyer in Malawi, Alan Chinula could not comment on the charity’s call.
If the adoption goes through, Madonna would become a single mother of four. She also has two biological children - Rocco, her son with former husband Guy Ritchie, and Lourdes, whose father is Carlos Leon. Ritchie's and Madonna's divorce was completed in November.
Meanwhile, Madonna has ditched her 22-year-old model boyfriend Jesus Luz and told fans on social networking website Twitter that she's glad to be single again. Madonna was linked to Alex Rodriguez last year, before she and hubby Guy Ritchie announced their divorce. Since their split, she's flaunted a relationship with Brazilian model Jesus Luz, 22.
3/27/2009
Mayor Bloomberg will again ask the Legislature to allow gay marriage
The mayor told an audience Wednesday night that he will again ask state lawmakers to allow gays to tie the knot in New York. But he doesn't know whether Albany is ready to support such a measure.
Bloomberg made the remarks at an annual dinner of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.
"We see that the tide is turning, that support is mounting," Bloomberg said. "Make no mistake, the time will come ... and we will pass this bill."
Bloomberg offered to testify in favor of any bill considered in the capital. "I don't know whether it's more likely or not" this year, Bloomberg said before his speech. "If they consider a bill, I think they should pass it, and I would be happy to testify for it."
The mayor was received warmly by the crowd, which cited his administration as a model for gay-friendly initiatives. Still, marriage remains the top item on the gay political agenda.
Bloomberg has made similar pledges to testify in Albany for almost three years, but the GOP-run state Senate blocked any such bill.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, married lesbian couples in New York City were declared able to be listed as parents on birth certificates as soon as their children are born.
Before, the women would have to go through an adoption process to be listed as the official parents.
The city Board of Health voted Tuesday to make the change.
Bloomberg made the remarks at an annual dinner of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center.
"We see that the tide is turning, that support is mounting," Bloomberg said. "Make no mistake, the time will come ... and we will pass this bill."
Bloomberg offered to testify in favor of any bill considered in the capital. "I don't know whether it's more likely or not" this year, Bloomberg said before his speech. "If they consider a bill, I think they should pass it, and I would be happy to testify for it."
The mayor was received warmly by the crowd, which cited his administration as a model for gay-friendly initiatives. Still, marriage remains the top item on the gay political agenda.
Bloomberg has made similar pledges to testify in Albany for almost three years, but the GOP-run state Senate blocked any such bill.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, married lesbian couples in New York City were declared able to be listed as parents on birth certificates as soon as their children are born.
Before, the women would have to go through an adoption process to be listed as the official parents.
The city Board of Health voted Tuesday to make the change.
3/19/2009
UK banned Angelina Jolie's 'Wanted' ad
A television advert for the Angelina Jolie action film ‘Wanted’ has been banned after the industry watchdog ruled it glamorises violence. The ad showed Jolie kissing co-star James McAvoy during a high-speed car chase, and both firing guns towards the viewer.
The Advertising Standards Authority said the ad for the DVD version of Universal Pictures' 2008 action flick "Wanted" breached ad codes and should not be broadcast.
The authority said the ad - which juxtaposes images of gun violence with Jolie showing off her bare back - "could be seen to condone violence by glorifying or glamorizing the use of guns."
It was unclear what practical effect, if any, the ruling would have. The "Wanted" DVD was released in Britain nearly six months ago.
The advertising authority has no power to enforce its writ, but it can refer advertisers to Britain's Office of Fair Trading for legal action.
Universal Pictures, which released the action flick, denies the ad in inappropriate, stressing that it had not been broadcast at unsuitable times and did not contain any contentious material.
The studio added that other action releases which contained guns had been billed as "the coolest movie of the year" and not prompted any complaints.
Universal feels "some people did not like to see a woman in a strong lead role," rather than concerns about violence.
The ruling underlined Britain's sensitivity to gun crime.
There were 59 firearm-related homicides in England and Wales in 2006-2007, compared to the more than 10,000 gun-related killings reported by the FBI in the United States in 2007.
But public concern was heightened in Britain after the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in 2007. The murder drew national attention and prompted much soul-searching over whether the country's already strict gun control laws were tough enough.
The Advertising Standards Authority said the ad for the DVD version of Universal Pictures' 2008 action flick "Wanted" breached ad codes and should not be broadcast.
The authority said the ad - which juxtaposes images of gun violence with Jolie showing off her bare back - "could be seen to condone violence by glorifying or glamorizing the use of guns."
It was unclear what practical effect, if any, the ruling would have. The "Wanted" DVD was released in Britain nearly six months ago.
The advertising authority has no power to enforce its writ, but it can refer advertisers to Britain's Office of Fair Trading for legal action.
Universal Pictures, which released the action flick, denies the ad in inappropriate, stressing that it had not been broadcast at unsuitable times and did not contain any contentious material.
The studio added that other action releases which contained guns had been billed as "the coolest movie of the year" and not prompted any complaints.
Universal feels "some people did not like to see a woman in a strong lead role," rather than concerns about violence.
The ruling underlined Britain's sensitivity to gun crime.
There were 59 firearm-related homicides in England and Wales in 2006-2007, compared to the more than 10,000 gun-related killings reported by the FBI in the United States in 2007.
But public concern was heightened in Britain after the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in 2007. The murder drew national attention and prompted much soul-searching over whether the country's already strict gun control laws were tough enough.
3/18/2009
Britney's former friend faces restraining order
A former paparazzi friend of pop superstar Britney Spears - inseparable from the singer in the last few years - has received a three-year restraining order from her, a Los Angeles court said Wednesday.
Adnan Ghalib, a photographer who appeared alongside Spears in a series of public episodes leading to her hospitalization for psychiatric problems, was ordered to stay away from the singer and her family until March 2012.
Judge Aviva Bobb ruled in favor of an order brought by her father, Jamie Spears, the singer's legal representative.
Jamie Spears also sought court protection for his daughter from another of her former close friends, Osama "Sam" Lutfi, who has presented himself as the star's manager.
Attorneys for Spears and her father, who is her legal conservator, received the order Friday. The documents state that Lutfi, Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley have been trying to gain control of Spears' affairs.
"On the first anniversary of the establishment of the conservatorship, the co-conservators are informed and believe that these three figures are working in concert to disrupt the conservatorship, with an utter disregard for Ms. Spears' health and well being," the documents state.
Lutfi was a manager and friend of Spears, whose mother once accused him of grinding pills into her food to control her. Ghalib, a paparazzo, had dated the singer.
Judge Aviva K. Bobb signed a temporary restraining order Friday forbidding Lutfi, Ghalib and Eardley from having contact with Spears, her parents and her young children. A hearing on whether to extend the order is scheduled for next month.
The documents, released late Friday, claim that Lutfi tried to contact Spears in late December by sending text messages to her hairdresser. The documents state Lutfi later started sending text messages to Spears and one of her father's attorneys, Blair Berk, trying to arrange a meeting.
Spears father, Jamie, wrote in a sworn declaration that he has found Lutfi's phone number in his daughter's phone records.
The documents state that Spears continues to inform Ghalib of her travel "and that he then arranges for paparazzi to meet and film her to his financial benefit," the documents state.
A phone message left for Lutfi was not returned Friday. A phone number for Ghalib could not immediately be found.
Geraldine Wyle, an attorney for Jamie Spears, wrote that Lutfi and Ghalib have "disappeared," and private investigators had been trying to find the pair unsuccessfully for six weeks.
The order, first reported Friday by the celebrity Web site TMZ, alleges that Lutfi has also sent "anonymous, harassing and threatening" messages to Spears' father.
This week, the documents state, an attorney sent a proposal to remove Spears' court appointed attorney. He later told Spears' attorneys that he had been contacted by Eardley and Lutfi, according to the filings. The documents were never filed with the court, and that attorney dropped Lutfi and Eardley as clients, the documents state.
Eardley once claimed to be Spears' attorney and tried to get her conservatorship case moved to federal court. A phone message left at Eardley's office was not returned Friday.
Spears and her father agreed not to renew a temporary restraining order that was issued against Lutfi last year when it expired in July.
At the time, Spears' court-appointed attorney Samuel D. Ingham III issued a statement renouncing their friendship. "Britney has made clear to everyone that she does not want to be further harassed or contacted in any way by Osama 'Sam' Lutfi, now or at anytime in the future," Ingham said in a statement.
Lutfi at the time declined to comment, saying only that he and Jamie Spears had reached an agreement.
That arrangement called for Lutfi to have no contact with Britney Spears or her parents, according to details released Friday.
Spears was placed under the conservatorship a year ago on Sunday. The arrangement has been expensive — her estate has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees — but since her father took control of her life, the pop singer has not had the bouts of erratic behavior, including two hospitalizations, that led to his intervention.
Adnan Ghalib, a photographer who appeared alongside Spears in a series of public episodes leading to her hospitalization for psychiatric problems, was ordered to stay away from the singer and her family until March 2012.
Judge Aviva Bobb ruled in favor of an order brought by her father, Jamie Spears, the singer's legal representative.
Jamie Spears also sought court protection for his daughter from another of her former close friends, Osama "Sam" Lutfi, who has presented himself as the star's manager.
Attorneys for Spears and her father, who is her legal conservator, received the order Friday. The documents state that Lutfi, Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley have been trying to gain control of Spears' affairs.
"On the first anniversary of the establishment of the conservatorship, the co-conservators are informed and believe that these three figures are working in concert to disrupt the conservatorship, with an utter disregard for Ms. Spears' health and well being," the documents state.
Lutfi was a manager and friend of Spears, whose mother once accused him of grinding pills into her food to control her. Ghalib, a paparazzo, had dated the singer.
Judge Aviva K. Bobb signed a temporary restraining order Friday forbidding Lutfi, Ghalib and Eardley from having contact with Spears, her parents and her young children. A hearing on whether to extend the order is scheduled for next month.
The documents, released late Friday, claim that Lutfi tried to contact Spears in late December by sending text messages to her hairdresser. The documents state Lutfi later started sending text messages to Spears and one of her father's attorneys, Blair Berk, trying to arrange a meeting.
Spears father, Jamie, wrote in a sworn declaration that he has found Lutfi's phone number in his daughter's phone records.
The documents state that Spears continues to inform Ghalib of her travel "and that he then arranges for paparazzi to meet and film her to his financial benefit," the documents state.
A phone message left for Lutfi was not returned Friday. A phone number for Ghalib could not immediately be found.
Geraldine Wyle, an attorney for Jamie Spears, wrote that Lutfi and Ghalib have "disappeared," and private investigators had been trying to find the pair unsuccessfully for six weeks.
The order, first reported Friday by the celebrity Web site TMZ, alleges that Lutfi has also sent "anonymous, harassing and threatening" messages to Spears' father.
This week, the documents state, an attorney sent a proposal to remove Spears' court appointed attorney. He later told Spears' attorneys that he had been contacted by Eardley and Lutfi, according to the filings. The documents were never filed with the court, and that attorney dropped Lutfi and Eardley as clients, the documents state.
Eardley once claimed to be Spears' attorney and tried to get her conservatorship case moved to federal court. A phone message left at Eardley's office was not returned Friday.
Spears and her father agreed not to renew a temporary restraining order that was issued against Lutfi last year when it expired in July.
At the time, Spears' court-appointed attorney Samuel D. Ingham III issued a statement renouncing their friendship. "Britney has made clear to everyone that she does not want to be further harassed or contacted in any way by Osama 'Sam' Lutfi, now or at anytime in the future," Ingham said in a statement.
Lutfi at the time declined to comment, saying only that he and Jamie Spears had reached an agreement.
That arrangement called for Lutfi to have no contact with Britney Spears or her parents, according to details released Friday.
Spears was placed under the conservatorship a year ago on Sunday. The arrangement has been expensive — her estate has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees — but since her father took control of her life, the pop singer has not had the bouts of erratic behavior, including two hospitalizations, that led to his intervention.
3/11/2009
Singer Akon said he would be willing to work with Chris Brown
The controversy surrounding Chris Brown following his alleged altercation with girlfriend Rihanna, wouldn't keep Akon from working with the R&B star if given the opportunity.
"Oh, absolutely!" Akon said in a phone interview Monday. "I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problem - I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things."
Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna in the early hours of February 8 after the pair got into an argument. Pictures of Rihanna later surfaced on the Internet, showing her bloodied and bruised.
But Akon is optimistic that Brown will learn from the experience, telling the Associated Press:
“He's gonna learn and he's gonna move forward and just hopefully he won't treat the next woman the same way."
Akon has been through legal troubles and public relations disasters of his own. He agreed last December to perform community service and pay a fine for throwing a teen off a stage in 2007. He also apologized for simulating sex with a teen at a Trinidadian concert; he said he did not know the girl was so young.
He also shares Oprah’s opinion that both Brown and Rihanna should seek help following the incident.
"They have problems, they go through issues, and some of them, of course, expand to domestic violence which I don't in any way condone. But, you know, sometimes you really can't control it and some people just need to seek help and figure out ways to deal with their emotions and how they deal with issues and certain things."
"Oh, absolutely!" Akon said in a phone interview Monday. "I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problem - I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things."
Brown allegedly assaulted Rihanna in the early hours of February 8 after the pair got into an argument. Pictures of Rihanna later surfaced on the Internet, showing her bloodied and bruised.
But Akon is optimistic that Brown will learn from the experience, telling the Associated Press:
“He's gonna learn and he's gonna move forward and just hopefully he won't treat the next woman the same way."
Akon has been through legal troubles and public relations disasters of his own. He agreed last December to perform community service and pay a fine for throwing a teen off a stage in 2007. He also apologized for simulating sex with a teen at a Trinidadian concert; he said he did not know the girl was so young.
He also shares Oprah’s opinion that both Brown and Rihanna should seek help following the incident.
"They have problems, they go through issues, and some of them, of course, expand to domestic violence which I don't in any way condone. But, you know, sometimes you really can't control it and some people just need to seek help and figure out ways to deal with their emotions and how they deal with issues and certain things."
3/06/2009
Singer Chris Brown appeared in court on domestic violence charges
Chris Brown briefly appeared in court Thursday, hours after he was charged with two felonies stemming from what a police detective describes as a brutal argument between the singer and his girlfriend, Rihanna.
Brown, 19, did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was delayed until April 6. But the commissioner issued a protective order against the singer, saying, "Mr. Brown, you are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone."
Brown, wearing a three-piece gray pinstripe suit with gray tie and cream shirt, clasped his hands behind his back as he walked into the courtroom. He answered a few questions from the commissioner as his mother watched from the front row along with a group of family members.
Rihanna, 21, did not attend the five-minute session, but her lawyer, Donald Etra, was in court. He did not request a more restrictive order that Brown stay away from her. The couple have reconciled since her alleged beating.
Asked on the way out of the courtroom how Rihanna was holding up, Etra said, "She's doing great. She is making sure her rights are being protected at every stage of the proceedings." As for why Rihanna didn't want a stay-away order, he said, "She did not feel a stay-away order was necessary."
The L.A. District Attorney's Office announced earlier Thursday that Brown was being charged with two felonies – assault and making criminal threats – in the alleged beating Rihanna last month.
If convicted, Brown faces anywhere from probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison, DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
According to a detective's affidavit, Brown and Rihanna got into a fight early Feb. 8 after she checked her boyfriend's cell phone and found a text message from another woman.
Brown pulled his car over and tried to push Rihanna out, but she was still wearing her seatbelt, Los Angeles police Detective De Shon Andrews wrote. Brown pushed Rihanna's head against the window, punched her with his right hand, and then continued driving while hitting her, the affidavit states. He also bit his girlfriend on the ear, the affidavit states.
The affidavit was filed as part of a search warrant request for the phone records of Brown, Rihanna and her assistant.
Brown allegedly threatened to kill Rihanna after she pretended to leave a phone message with her assistant, telling her to have the police waiting at her house.
Andrews described Brown's blows as causing Rihanna's mouth to fill with blood. He also writes that Brown tried to choke Rihanna after she took the keys to his car away. Andrews wrote that Rihanna nearly lost consciousness but also tried to fight back while in the car, at one point trying to gouge at Brown's eyes.
Brown was arrested hours later and booked him on suspicion of making criminal threats. Her identity has been an open secret since the alleged attack; police have never publicly released her name, but numerous news outlets have reported her identity based on anonymous sources.
Brown issued a statement a week after the incident saying that he was "sorry and saddened" about the incident. Rihanna also later issued a statement, saying she wouldn't comment on the alleged beating at the request of authorities. She thanked fans for their support.
Etra said he was present in court to protect Rihanna's rights in the criminal case. He stood alongside Brown's attorney during the hearing.
He said after the hearing Rihanna appreciates the "overwhelming support" the singer has received from fans worldwide.
He brushed aside questions seeking details about the fight, telling reporters, "The facts of the case will come out over time."
Brown, 19, did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was delayed until April 6. But the commissioner issued a protective order against the singer, saying, "Mr. Brown, you are not to annoy, harass, molest, threaten or use force or violence against anyone."
Brown, wearing a three-piece gray pinstripe suit with gray tie and cream shirt, clasped his hands behind his back as he walked into the courtroom. He answered a few questions from the commissioner as his mother watched from the front row along with a group of family members.
Rihanna, 21, did not attend the five-minute session, but her lawyer, Donald Etra, was in court. He did not request a more restrictive order that Brown stay away from her. The couple have reconciled since her alleged beating.
Asked on the way out of the courtroom how Rihanna was holding up, Etra said, "She's doing great. She is making sure her rights are being protected at every stage of the proceedings." As for why Rihanna didn't want a stay-away order, he said, "She did not feel a stay-away order was necessary."
The L.A. District Attorney's Office announced earlier Thursday that Brown was being charged with two felonies – assault and making criminal threats – in the alleged beating Rihanna last month.
If convicted, Brown faces anywhere from probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison, DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
According to a detective's affidavit, Brown and Rihanna got into a fight early Feb. 8 after she checked her boyfriend's cell phone and found a text message from another woman.
Brown pulled his car over and tried to push Rihanna out, but she was still wearing her seatbelt, Los Angeles police Detective De Shon Andrews wrote. Brown pushed Rihanna's head against the window, punched her with his right hand, and then continued driving while hitting her, the affidavit states. He also bit his girlfriend on the ear, the affidavit states.
The affidavit was filed as part of a search warrant request for the phone records of Brown, Rihanna and her assistant.
Brown allegedly threatened to kill Rihanna after she pretended to leave a phone message with her assistant, telling her to have the police waiting at her house.
Andrews described Brown's blows as causing Rihanna's mouth to fill with blood. He also writes that Brown tried to choke Rihanna after she took the keys to his car away. Andrews wrote that Rihanna nearly lost consciousness but also tried to fight back while in the car, at one point trying to gouge at Brown's eyes.
Brown was arrested hours later and booked him on suspicion of making criminal threats. Her identity has been an open secret since the alleged attack; police have never publicly released her name, but numerous news outlets have reported her identity based on anonymous sources.
Brown issued a statement a week after the incident saying that he was "sorry and saddened" about the incident. Rihanna also later issued a statement, saying she wouldn't comment on the alleged beating at the request of authorities. She thanked fans for their support.
Etra said he was present in court to protect Rihanna's rights in the criminal case. He stood alongside Brown's attorney during the hearing.
He said after the hearing Rihanna appreciates the "overwhelming support" the singer has received from fans worldwide.
He brushed aside questions seeking details about the fight, telling reporters, "The facts of the case will come out over time."
3/02/2009
Obama honor Stevie Wonder at White House concert
Since the presidency changed hands less than six weeks ago, a burst of entertaining has taken hold of the iconic, white-columned home of America's head of state. Much of it comes on Wednesdays.
The stately East Room, where portraits of George and Martha Washington adorn the walls, was transformed into a concert hall as President Barack Obama presented Stevie Wonder with the nation's highest award for pop music on Wednesday.
President Barack Obama thanked Stevie Wonder for creating "a style that's uniquely American" as he presented the singer-songwriter the nation's highest award for pop music.
"As Stevie knows, I'm a huge fan. And he has been a great supporter," Obama said before presenting the award-winning, singer-songwriter with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress.
Obama, who called Wonder the soundtrack of his youth, gave the star the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during an East Room tribute Wednesday that featured Tony Bennett, Martina McBride and Wonder himself. The president joked that the group was "the most accomplished Stevie Wonder cover band in history."
Obama presented the medal to Wonder, then wrapped the singer in a bear hug. As the media were led out of the room, Wonder struck up "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," which was a staple of Obama's campaign rallies.
Wonder was emotional at times, thanking Obama for the award and reflecting on what his election as the first black president means to the United States.
"What is truly exciting for me today is that we truly have lived to see a time and a space where America has a chance to again live up to the greatness that it deserves to be seen and known as, through the love and caring and the commitment of a president as in our president, Barack Obama," he said.
Wonder cited Martin Luther King Jr., his faith and his mother during an acceptance speech that flowed into a set of Obama's favorite songs. The Grammy-winning musician he has 25 of the awards joked that he looked forward to writing more love songs perhaps a soundtrack for "you know, maybe I'll be a part of creating some more of those babies."
Obama praised Wonder's decades-long career and a style that has blended pop and funk, R&B and gospel.
"Stevie has always drawn on the incredible range of traditions in his music and, from that, he's created a style that's at once uniquely American, uniquely his own, and yet somehow universal," Obama said. "Indeed, this could be called the American tradition artists demonstrating the courage, the talent to find new harmonies in the rich and dissonant sounds of the American experience."
The stately East Room, where portraits of George and Martha Washington adorn the walls, was transformed into a concert hall as President Barack Obama presented Stevie Wonder with the nation's highest award for pop music on Wednesday.
President Barack Obama thanked Stevie Wonder for creating "a style that's uniquely American" as he presented the singer-songwriter the nation's highest award for pop music.
"As Stevie knows, I'm a huge fan. And he has been a great supporter," Obama said before presenting the award-winning, singer-songwriter with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress.
Obama, who called Wonder the soundtrack of his youth, gave the star the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during an East Room tribute Wednesday that featured Tony Bennett, Martina McBride and Wonder himself. The president joked that the group was "the most accomplished Stevie Wonder cover band in history."
Obama presented the medal to Wonder, then wrapped the singer in a bear hug. As the media were led out of the room, Wonder struck up "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," which was a staple of Obama's campaign rallies.
Wonder was emotional at times, thanking Obama for the award and reflecting on what his election as the first black president means to the United States.
"What is truly exciting for me today is that we truly have lived to see a time and a space where America has a chance to again live up to the greatness that it deserves to be seen and known as, through the love and caring and the commitment of a president as in our president, Barack Obama," he said.
Wonder cited Martin Luther King Jr., his faith and his mother during an acceptance speech that flowed into a set of Obama's favorite songs. The Grammy-winning musician he has 25 of the awards joked that he looked forward to writing more love songs perhaps a soundtrack for "you know, maybe I'll be a part of creating some more of those babies."
Obama praised Wonder's decades-long career and a style that has blended pop and funk, R&B and gospel.
"Stevie has always drawn on the incredible range of traditions in his music and, from that, he's created a style that's at once uniquely American, uniquely his own, and yet somehow universal," Obama said. "Indeed, this could be called the American tradition artists demonstrating the courage, the talent to find new harmonies in the rich and dissonant sounds of the American experience."
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