"The Kennedy Center Honors have traditionally been one of Washington's splashiest affairs. Think Hollywood on the Potomac. Every year, an astonishing number of A-listers come to Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to the honorees with performances and speeches. Think Beyonce performing for Tina Turner, Audrey Hepburn rhapsodizing about Cary Grant, Rob Reiner praising Norman Lear, Aretha Franklin singing for Carol King, Sidney Poitier honoring Harry Belafonte or James Taylor and John Williams playing for Yo-Yo Ma."
"This year's Kennedy Center honorees are Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, the rock band KISS, Gloria Gaynor and English actor and singer Michael Crawford. As in years past, Sunday night's gala will be turned into a broadcast special that will air on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23. But, after months of upheaval at the Kennedy Center, the 48th Honors will be different."
"In the past, honorees were chosen in a months-long, bipartisan undertaking by members of the Kennedy Center board with input from the general public and past honorees. Ultimately recipients were selected by executive members of the board and a couple of other senior staff members, with consultation from past honorees such as Julie Andrews, Lionel Richie and John Williams. This year, President Trump said he was "about 98%" involved in the selection process."
The Kennedy Center Honors traditionally draw numerous A-list performers who pay tribute to honorees through speeches and performances. This yeareatures honorees Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, KISS, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Crawford. The gala will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23. Leadership upheaval at the Kennedy Center included the abrupt ouster of president Deborah Rutter and board chair David Rubenstein, along with recent staff resignations. The honoree selection process shifted from a months-long, bipartisan board undertaking to heavy presidential involvement, with President Trump saying he was "about 98%" involved and personally announcing the names. Trump will host this year.
Read at www.npr.org
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]