This item has been corrected.
Fame is determined by external conditions, but stardom is an innate attitude—and few people possess it as much as queen of soul Aretha Franklin, who casually took down the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC, during the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in honor of songwriter Carole King.
The 73-year-old diva took to the stage in her fur coat and gown and laid her clutch on the piano, where she proceeded to accompany herself singing (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, a song King co-wrote.
In the audience, King cheered, President Obama appeared to tear up, the first lady was transfixed.
Franklin then moved towards the center of the stage, dropped her fur coat on the floor (a signature move) and went on to show the full extent of her virtuosity.
Although it was a year of great music shows, Franklin still won it, with just one song. Because that’s what giants do.
Correction: Gerry Goffin, and not Aretha Franklin, not co-wrote (You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman with Carol King.