Obamas attend annual Christmas concert, featuring S.Korean rapper Psy
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The first family (from left), first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama and Malia Obama, pose with children dressed like elves at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. The first family is attending the taping of the 2012 Christmas in Washington. -- PHOTO : AP
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U.S. President Barack Obama greets children dressed as Christmas elves as First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (right) and Malia watch during Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. Korean rapper Psy is expected to perform along with Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scott McCreery, and Chris Mann. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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The first family (from left), first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama and Malia Obama, pose with children dressed like elves at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. The first family is attending the taping of the 2012 Christmas in Washington. -- PHOTO : AP
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U.S. President Barack Obama smiles as he watches the Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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President Barack Obama smiles as he delivers his remarks during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
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US First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother Marian Robinson (right) sing a Christmas carol with singer Chris Mann (left) and during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
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President Barack Obama (from right), with his daughters Sasha Obama and Malia Obama, join singer Diana Ross (left), and other performers, during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
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US President Barack Obama, with daughters Malia (third from right) and Sasha (second from right) sing a Christmas carol with Diana Ross (left) during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
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First lady Michelle Obama (second from right), and her mother Marian Robinson join singers Demi Lovato (from left), Chris Mann and other performers, during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
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US President Barack Obama speaks during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Korean rapper Psy walks backstage as U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia, arrive to attend the Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. Psy is expected to perform along with Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scott McCreery, and Chris Mann. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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South Korean performer Psy is seen backstage before the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington. -- PHOTO : AFP
The first family (from left), first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama and Malia Obama, pose with children dressed like elves at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. The first family is attending the taping of the 2012 Christmas in Washington. -- PHOTO : AP
U.S. President Barack Obama greets children dressed as Christmas elves as First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (right) and Malia watch during Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. Korean rapper Psy is expected to perform along with Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scott McCreery, and Chris Mann. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
The first family (from left), first lady Michelle Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama and Malia Obama, pose with children dressed like elves at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. The first family is attending the taping of the 2012 Christmas in Washington. -- PHOTO : AP
U.S. President Barack Obama smiles as he watches the Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
President Barack Obama smiles as he delivers his remarks during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
US First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother Marian Robinson (right) sing a Christmas carol with singer Chris Mann (left) and during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
President Barack Obama (from right), with his daughters Sasha Obama and Malia Obama, join singer Diana Ross (left), and other performers, during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
US President Barack Obama, with daughters Malia (third from right) and Sasha (second from right) sing a Christmas carol with Diana Ross (left) during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
First lady Michelle Obama (second from right), and her mother Marian Robinson join singers Demi Lovato (from left), Chris Mann and other performers, during the Annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. -- PHOTO : AP
US President Barack Obama speaks during the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. -- PHOTO : AFP
Korean rapper Psy walks backstage as U.S. President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia, arrive to attend the Christmas in Washington concert at the National Building Museum in Washington Dec 9, 2012. Psy is expected to perform along with Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Megan Hilty, Scott McCreery, and Chris Mann. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
South Korean performer Psy is seen backstage before the taping of the "Christmas in Washington" television special on Dec 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington. -- PHOTO : AFP
WASHINGTON (AP) - A holiday concert attended Sunday by President Barack Obama and his family included some non-traditional entertainment this year: a performance by South Korean rapper and Internet sensation PSY.
PSY- wearing an all-red outfit including a sparkling, sequined top- was backed by dancers wearing reindeer antlers as he performed his popular Gangnam Style dance, which mimics riding a horse.
The rapper, born Park Jae Sang, had apologised on Friday for using what he called "inflammatory and inappropriate language" during anti-US protests at concerts in 2002 and 2004. The flak from his remarks didn't dampen the festive holiday mood on Sunday.
Other performers at the charity concert included Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and Megan Hilty, star of the NBC musical drama Smash. In brief remarks, Mr Obama said the celebration was "a chance to get in the Christmas spirit, spread some joy and sing along with artists who have much better voices than we do."
