Barbra Streisand Explains White House State Dinner Invite: 'I Worked In A Chinese Restaurant' (VIDEO)

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand was in attendance at Wednesday night's White House state dinner, and at least one reporter seemed curious as to why. When questioned at the event, Streisand quipped that it had something to do with her prior employment at a Chinese restaurant (scroll down for video).

The New York Times reports on the query:

Later, as she walked into the White House for the dinner, Ms. Streisand was asked what accounted for her invitation. Her reply was deadpan: "I worked in a Chinese restaurant."

Chinese President Hu Jintao was meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama throughout the day before being treated to a lavish celebration that featured a "quintessentially American" menu.

WATCH:

Comments

[afgail]

03:29 PM on 01/23/2011

Always the smart mouth. I love Barbra.

[SirCoolBreeze]

12:54 PM on 01/21/2011

What a stupid question...

[jokelley]

11:17 AM on 01/21/2011

My hometown girl opened up a smart mouth in response to a stupid question (as we used to say in the Bronx). you go girl. She's one smart, funny lady.

[blue53]

10:41 AM on 01/21/2011

I watched the arrival on C-SPAN. A gaggle of giggling reporters asked the following questions:
1. Why were you invited?
2. Who are you wearing?

[canadapaul]

02:43 AM on 01/21/2011

Besides being a great singer, entertainer, director, she has always been a great comedienne!

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

12:08 PM on 01/21/2011

"What's Up Doc?"

[duxguts]

01:48 AM on 01/21/2011

Why couldn't Obama show him the real America and take him to s soup kitchen?

[Trogenhorse]

09:43 AM on 01/21/2011

really?

[cookerman45]

01:35 AM on 01/21/2011

ate .....maby.

[monroele]

12:41 AM on 01/21/2011

I have never eaten in a Chinese restaurant with a background singer....

[Ninotchka KS]

11:17 PM on 01/20/2011

The woman still has chutzpah! I've loved her since I heard her first record, when I was 14.

[boomcat44]

10:40 PM on 01/20/2011

One wonders how Fox News will spin THAT.

[palainausa]

10:04 AM on 01/21/2011

That she is a shallow boob, which is exactly what she is.

[boomcat44]

02:23 PM on 01/21/2011

Hmmm. You speak as if you have some experience in that field.

[Martha57]

09:54 PM on 01/20/2011

I think my Governor should be a comedian, Governor Christie comes out with some great one liners. Maybe he can take that up after he finishes his governorhood. He has great timing and quick wit, now if he can turn NJ around

[booboo111]

09:48 PM on 01/20/2011

Hu really liked Yentl.

[booboo111]

09:47 PM on 01/20/2011

Who were the Salahi's seated with?

[Kael Mc]

09:28 PM on 01/20/2011

Being a "sista" I'm not surprised. We eat more general Tso's and chow mein than matze ball soup or ladka's. She probably paid her way in. Ehh, why not?

[Patriot Games]

06:59 PM on 01/20/2011

Sorry Toby Keith and Chuck Norris weren't invited. Babs I knew you had special talent.