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Bruni Croons at NYC Mandela Birthday Bash

By Mat Probasco,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2009 7:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy took the stage yesterday to sing at Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday concert in New York City—to mixed reviews, reports the Times of London. The model-turned-singer, who previously vowed not to perform while her husband was in office, sang her hit "Quelqu'un m'a dit" ("Someone Told Me") and Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame. 

The Times ranked her performance as "pretty but bloodless and immobile—rather like her face." Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Queen Latifah also attended the Radio City bash, but Mandela, whose health is fragile, did not appear. Hubby Nicolas Sarkozy watched his wife's performance from the audience, and the couple left shortly after.

Carla Bruni performs at Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday fest at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Carla Bruni performs at Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday fest at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.   (Getty Images)
Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart perform at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan yesterday to honor Nelson Mandela.
Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart perform at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan yesterday to honor Nelson Mandela.   (Getty Images)
Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart sing at Nelson Mandela's birthday fest at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.
Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart sing at Nelson Mandela's birthday fest at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.   (Getty Images)
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy performs in Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy performs in Radio City Music Hall in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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