The biggest names of Washington and Hollywood were together in one room tonight for the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.
by Annie Scudder
The biggest names of Washington and Hollywood were together in one room tonight for the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. While it's affectionately known as "nerd prom," President Barack Obama, the guest of honor, showed just how cool politicians can be, making an entrance to a DJ Khaled song and cracking jokes about Jay-Z. "I've got 99 problems, and now Jay-Z's one," he said in reference to the rapper's recent Cuba trip. Overall, First Lady Michelle Obama seemed very entertained by the president's comic material, which included a skit of Obama playing Daniel Day-Lewis playing Obama.
On the red carpet, stars of DC-based TV dramas — like Claire Danes, Kerry Washington, Kate Mara, and Robin Wright — joined other Hollywood regulars including Sofía Vergara and Sharon Stone. Yet many stars we spoke to agreed the night had more gravitas than your typical Hollywood premiere or award show. Many actors and actresses told us that the night was a once-a-year chance to get smart and talented people from politics and entertainment together. Meanwhile, actor Gerard Butler just wanted to have fun, goofing off with his "man date," as he called him, Piers Morgan. And comedians John Oliver and Rebel Wilson both told us that they'd love to be the act at the dinner one day, even if it is a tough job. As for this year's headliner, Conan O'Brien, he wasn't afraid to poke fun at the president. "Some in this room even accused the president of being distant and aloof,” Conan said. “When I asked the president about that earlier, he said, ‘Oh,’ and walked away.”
And of course, the fashion industry wasn't going to be left out. Anna Wintour worked the red carpet in a glamorous gown, while J.Crew's Jenna Lyons sported a white button-down tucked into a feathered skirt, along with her signature black-rimmed glasses. Despite the star-studded guest list, the celebrities we spoke to admitted that they were most excited to see President Obama and the first lady. See pictures of the first couple and DC's big night now and videos of President Obama's and Conan's speeches, which also included touching tributes to the recent tragedies in Boston and Texas.
