Ellen DeGeneres has received America’s highest civilian honour from Barack Obama for her influence on the gay rights movement.
The comedian, actress and chat show host was praised by the President, who said her bravery helped “push our country in the direction of justice.”
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U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres
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Awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Obama 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.”
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Alex Wong via Getty Images
The award, which recognises contributions to United States culture, security and international interests, is the highest honour a civilian can receive, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal, a similar accolade awarded by the US Congress.
Other celebrities to be honoured included Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan and Robert Redford.
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Robert DeNiro embraces Ellen
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“These are folks who have helped make me who I am,’’ Obama added.
“Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways that they probably couldn’t imagine.”
Before the ceremony, Ellen tweeted that she couldn’t get into the White House as she’d forgotten her ID.
“They haven’t let me into the White House yet because I forgot my ID,” she tweeted.
However, she eventually made it inside and celebrated by taking advantage of the many stars she was rubbing shoulders with to film a rather special mannequin challenge, which she also shared on Twitter...
Nice work, Ellen.
10 LGBT Rising Stars
Samira Wiley ('Orange Is The New Black' actress)(01 of10)
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"I was just taught that love is the most powerful thing." (credit:Megan Mack via Getty Images)
Adore Delano (Drag performer/singer)(02 of10)
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"My voice is not only for singing, I speak about body image issues, HIV rights, and many other topics that should be addressed when you have a platform like mine." (credit:Gabe Ginsberg via Getty Images)
Mary Lambert (singer/songwriter)(03 of10)
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"Hearing women of all ages sing 'She Keeps Me Warm' at the top of their lungs - they don’t give a shit about what pronoun it is.
"They get that it’s about love, so I think that’s really given me perspective. I think people can deal with it, and they get it." (credit:Paul Morigi via Getty Images)
Todrick Hall (YouTube star/singer)(04 of10)
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"When you’re a person that’s trying to be a public figure and you’re black and you’re gay and for some people it’s a little too much for them to handle...
"I think there are a lot of people who are afraid to be who they are and if I have to sacrifice a little bit of fame and a little bit of success because I’m being 100 percent truthful with who I am, hopefully that will create a paved way for someone else." (credit:Robin Marchant via Getty Images)
Ines Rau (model)(05 of10)
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"It's all about what's in your heart. Gender and sexuality do not make you who you are. Your heart and actions do!" (credit:Instagram/Ines Rau)
Riley Carter Millington ('EastEnders' actor)(06 of10)
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"I want to help make a difference. [Being trans] is a part of me and I want hopefully to make other people feel like they can come out, like they can feel that they’ve got support." (credit:Peter MacDiarmid/REX/Shutterstock)
Angel Haze (rapper)(07 of10)
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"Sexuality is like having a favorite colour. It doesn’t rule you, you know? And I should be able to do whatever and whoever I want at any given time." (credit:Brian Killian via Getty Images)
Joe Lycett (stand-up comedian)(08 of10)
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"Gender is fluid and I think it’s absolutely fascinating, so I talk about that a little bit in my show. I think it’s important some people do publicly go, 'Hey, I’m not straight and I’m not gay. I’m somewhere in the middle and that’s OK.'" (credit:David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
Ruby Tandoh (foodie/'Bake Off' finalist)(09 of10)
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"To all the bros who hate social media, who pit it against 'real life' - I never would've had the courage to be me without Twitter's queer queens." (credit:Richard Saker/Rex/Shutterstock)
Troye Sivan (YouTube star/pop sensation)(10 of10)
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'[Being gay] been a non-issue for me. But the same thing that’s been a blessing in my life can lead someone to suicide. Every time I hear about an LGBTQ kid committing suicide, it’s just so much frustration. I just think about lost potential because a parent wasn’t accepting or a friend wasn’t, and it ended an LGBTQ kid’s life.
"I really want the parents of my audience to see these videos actually. And realise that their reaction influences their kid’s entire experience. Showing them two sides of the coin: this is how it could go or this is how it could go. It’s up to you." (credit:Frazer Harrison via Getty Images)