Barack Obama tells Katy Perry she's one of his favourites

Fri, 01 Aug, 2014 - 10:47

Anna O’Donoghue

Is Katy Perry the new Marilyn Monroe?

Katy Perry wowed the president of the free world last night as she performed for guests at the White House.

The US president was delighted to have the 'Dark Horse' hitmaker perform at the White House at a dinner to honour the 46th anniversary of the Special Olympics and admitted he felt "grateful" she had taken time out of her busy schedule to be at the event.

"We have just one of my favourite people performing tonight -- Katy Perry. We are so grateful to her,” Obama said introducing her on stage.

"I love Katy Perry. She is just a wonderful person. I've just met her mom and now I know why she is such a wonderful person, but I just want everybody to know she is on tour right now and so for her to take time out to do this is really special, and so we really want to say thank you to her for doing this," he added.

Among those in attendance at the dinner were 'Lately' hitmaker Stevie Wonder, tennis player Andy Roddick and his model wife Brooklyn Decker.

Taking her mother, Mary Hudson, to the event was a big turnaround for Katy - who has performed twice before for the president - as she previously claimed she had banned her pastor parents from watching her sing at the Commander-in-Chief's second inauguration in 2012 because they didn't vote for him.

"My parents are Republicans, and I'm not. They didn't vote for Obama, but when I was asked to sing at the inauguration, they were like, 'We can come.' And I was like, 'No, you can't. I love you so much, but that--on principle.' They understood, but I was like, 'How dare you?' in a way," she said.

Katy took to Instagram at posted this exquisite picture of her singing at the event, with the caption:

“ What an incredibly beautiful evening being invited to sing at the White House for Potus, Flotus & many special Olympic attendees tonight to celebrate these incredibly inspiring men & women. I see them beyond their obstacles. I hope you can join me”.

Singing at the White House and releasing her newest video on the same day … ‘this is how she do’