Ellen DeGeneres was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House – but almost wasn’t let in.
The chat show host was given the honour by President Barack Obama who praised Ellen for her bravery in coming out as gay in 1997, admitting it was "easy to forget" what a risk she took in making such an announcement.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, he said: "It’s easy to forget now, when we’ve come so far … just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages almost 20 years ago.
"What an incredible burden that was to bear – to risk your career like that – people don’t do that very often. And then, to have the hopes of millions on your shoulders."
Ellen was clearly delighted with the award but admitted she almost wasn’t allowed in to The White House because she forgot her ID.
Attached to a picture of herself and wife Portia de Rossi, she wrote: "@BarackObama just awarded me the Medal of Freedom. I hope it serves as an ID. I have no idea how I’m getting home. (sic)"
In another post, she wrote: "They haven’t let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom (sic)"
Once inside, she performed the Mannequin Challenge – the craze sweeping the globe where people are filmed trying to stay as still as possible – alongside several other stars, including Robert De Niro and Tom Hanks, who were also awarded with the medal, and posted the clip on Instagram.
The medal is the country’s highest civilian honour, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal, and is given in recognition of contributions to US culture, security and international interests.
Actor Robert Redford and basketball legend Michael Jordan were also recognised, and Obama joked the sportsman was simply "the guy from ‘Space Jam’".
Ellen DeGeneres presented with medal
