Aretha Franklin has POTUS' R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
The legendary R&B diva sang "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, which was taped Dec. 6 in Washington, D.C., and aired on CBS Tuesday night. Franklin performed the song in a tribute to singer-songwriter Carole King, who was one of the evening's five honorees alongside filmmaker George Lucas, actress Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa, and actress Cicely Tyson. When Franklin appeared onstage, King couldn't believe her eyes. Her performance even caused President Barack Obama to wipe a tear away from his eye as First Lady Michelle Obama watched intently by his side. The camera also captured other famous audience members, like Rosie Perez and Gina Rodriguez, singing along with Franklin. But perhaps no one seemed as ecstatic as King, who wrote the song Franklin made famous in 1968.
During one of the song's crescendos, the Queen of Soul left the piano and walked to the center of the stage. The 73-year-old singer then removed her coat before receiving a standing ovation.
Other friends and fans who paid tribute to King included Sara Bareilles, John Kerry, Janelle Monaé and James Taylor, among others. During the ceremony, country superstar Miranda Lambert performed "Desperado" as a tribute to The Eagles, who were to be honored alongside King, Lucas, Moreno, Ozawa and Tyson. In November, the musicians announced they would be unable to participate in the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors due to Glenn Frey's health. "The Kennedy Center has graciously agreed to postpone the Eagles' award presentation until next year, when all four Eagles, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit, can attend," the rock band said in a statement.