France's first lady joined musical heavyweights in New York to celebrate the birthday of Nelson Mandela.
Carla Bruni was cheered on by husband President Nicolas Sarkozy as she performed two songs at the event to honour the 91-year-old former South African leader.
Mandela missed out on attending Saturday night's birthday bash in person, being deemed too frail to travel. But his life and spirit was honoured in fitting fashion by a host of African and international superstars.
The evening was capped by a performance of Stevie Wonder's Happy Birthday - a song originally written to remember Dr Martin Luther King, but now dedicated to another civil rights leader.
Ms Bruni was said to be nervous about her first performance in public since becoming France's first lady.
But accompanied by former Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart, the former model put in an assured performance culminating in a version of Bob Dylan's Blowing in the Wind.
Queen Latifah was followed by even higher musical royalty, with Aretha Franklin receiving a standing ovation even before she opened her mouth.
More came after she reminded the audience why she is known as the Queen of Soul.
Cyndi Lauper was joined by Lil' Kim for a rendition of Time after Time, while other highlights included Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys and Gloria Gaynor.
Speakers included actor Morgan Freeman who is to play Mandela in a forthcoming biopic.
President Barack Obama delivered a personal message via video. In it, the US leader said that Mandela's life "teaches us that the impossible can be done, but only if people have the courage to make change happen."
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