Barbara Walters has followed in the footsteps of fellow TV journalist Tom Brokaw, voicing criticism of the annual star-filled White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Walters did not show up to Saturday’s soiree, explaining that the event “has changed” due to the invitation of celebrity guests.
“It’s why some of us didn’t go this year, because it’s got movie stars,” said Walters on today’s episode of “The View.”
She continued, “You used to see other members of the administration, other politicians, but it’s become more and more about the movie stars at the table.”
Walters explained, “It used to be a wonderful opportunity to meet all different people in Washington, but when it gets to be about movie stars, not that it’s not fun, but it’s a little different.”
The dinner has been a tradition since 1920 for journalists who cover the White House and the President. However, in recent years, the dinner’s attention has shifted to the parade of A-List celebs who attend.
Brokaw, who has been vocal about his distaste for the red carpet fete before, recently explained that he skipped this year’s event because of Lindsay Lohan.
“Somewhere along the line, it began to freewheel out of control,” the renowned anchorman told Politico, “and the breaking point for me was Lindsay Lohan.”
Brokaw added that standards of the tradition have now fallen so low that his “daughter’s junior prom has more dignity.”
This year’s event, hosted by Conan O’Brien, was attended by glittering guests including Katy Perry, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Vergara, Barbra Streisand, Bradley Cooper, Ian McKellen and Gayle King.