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Princess Diana and John Travolta dance at the White House in Washington on November 9, 1985
Photo: DPA / Ronald Reagan Library
An "instantly iconic moment" - that's what the US magazine "People" calls what happened on the evening of November 9, 1985 in the White House.
A moment that is legendary and iconic not only in retrospect, but already in the present.
A state banquet was held in the White House at that time and a picture of two superstars dancing together was created: John Travolta and Diana.
The star from "Saturday Night Fever" and the princess.
She moved elegantly across the floor in a long, midnight blue velvet dress - decades later, the robe brought in a lot of money at an auction.
Travolta, who was 31 at the time and now 67 years old, spoke about the legendary night in an interview with Esquire Mexico magazine.
The dance was "like in a fairy tale".
“Think about that moment.
We're in the White House.
It's midnight.
It's like a dream on the big stage, ”says Travolta.
“I walk up to her, clap her on the shoulder, and invite her to dance.
She turns around and when she sees me, she blinks that charming, slightly sad smile and accepts my invitation. "
Travolta added that he was smart enough to capture this moment in his memory as "magical".
It was Diana's wish
This is not the first time the Hollywood star has reminisced about this evening.
In an earlier interview, he said that the first lady at the time, Nancy Reagan, told him Diana's wish to dance with her.
Another time he confessed that he was very nervous.
"I had the feeling that I was back in dance school and had to show that I can lead it."
Since his success with the films "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) and "Grease" (1978), Travolta has been considered a talented dancer among actors.
He is said to have taken tap dancing lessons from Gene Kelly's brother.
Prince Charles and Diana first visited the United States as a couple.
Diana died in 1997 after a car accident in Paris, pursued by paparazzi.
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