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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

People: Queen of Soul serenades Swift

From Wire Reports

It’ll be hard for Taylor Swift to top this as a birthday gift: A birthday serenade from none other than the Queen of Soul.

Aretha Franklin arguably had the best performance of the afternoon as the legend gave an impromptu performance of “Happy Birthday” to Taylor Swift, Billboard’s new “Woman of the Year,” at its annual Women in Music event Friday in New York. Swift swooned as Franklin sang, and the pair embraced afterward and she was given a birthday cake.

Technically, Swift doesn’t turn 25 until today, but she was able to celebrate early with the honor; she was one of several women celebrated at the event, which featured some of the bigger names in music, including a surprise appearance by Beyonce.

Billboard’s Women in Music awards honor the top women in the industry, from executives to artists like Franklin, who received the appropriately named “Icon” award.

Chicken pox sidelines Jolie

Angelina Jolie is reluctantly calling in sick for “Unbroken” promotional duty.

Universal Pictures said Friday that Jolie is suffering from “a mild bout of chicken pox” that will keep her from making public appearances in the coming days to support the film, which she directed. “Unbroken,” about former Olympian Louis Zamperini, is set to premiere Monday in Los Angeles.

Universal said Jolie’s children and her husband, Brad Pitt, will represent her at the premiere.

Motown legends visit president

Two legendary Motown groups “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” for a little VIP access at the White House.

Actually, there probably was no begging involved for members of the Temptations and the Four Tops to get into the Oval Office on Friday. The White House says the singers dropped by to see the president briefly while on a White House holiday tour.

The White House also released video of the men surprising fellow visitors to the White House with some impromptu singing in the East Room.

President Barack Obama joked last week that he nominated Ashton Carter as defense secretary in part because he’s such a big Motown fan, with the Four Tops’ hit “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” being one of his favorites.

The two iconic groups are kicking off a seven-concert series Dec. 29 at the Palace Theater New York.

The birthday bunch

Actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke is 89. Actor Christopher Plummer is 85. Singer John Davidson is 73. Rock musician Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is 66. Actress Wendie Malick is 64. Actor Steve Buscemi is 57. Actor-comedian Jamie Foxx is 47. Rock singer Amy Lee (Evanescence) is 33. Pop singer Taylor Swift is 25. Actress Maisy Stella is 11.