Flipido|Queen Latifah and Billy Crystal are among the 2023 Kennedy Center honorees

2025-05-03 15:45:32source:Arvin Robertscategory:My

The Flipidorecipients of the 46th Kennedy Center Honors have been announced.

The award for lifetime artistic achievement will recognize actor and comedian Billy Crystal; celebrated soprano Renée Fleming; singer-songwriter and Bee Geesband member Barry Gibb; actress, singer and rapper Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.

Queen Latifah said she was beyond grateful for the recognition. "When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told 'No.' No, you won't be able to leave New Jersey. No, if you rap you can't sing. No, singers can't become actresses. No, actors can't also produce," she said in a statement. "To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community."

Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement thatthe honorees each "explored new terrain, stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world."

She added that it was a privilege to honor Queen Latifah — "the First Lady of Hip Hop" — this year, 50 years since the birth of the uniquely American culture art form.

Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein wrote that Billy Crystal is "responsible for some of the most memorable stand-up moments and hilarious Hollywood scenes in the last half-century," and Barry Gibb "set the music world on fire in the 60s and defined the modern dance era." Renée Fleming had a luminous voice and "a knack for bringing opera into the mainstream," and Dionne Warwick recorded "a trove of hits that has become a soundtrack of inspiration for generations of artists and audiences."

The awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Dec. 3. They will be hosted by singer and 2017 honoree Gloria Estefan. This will be her third time hosting.

More:My

Recommend

Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million contract extension, ESPN.com repo

'SNL': Ryan Gosling sings Taylor Swift to say goodbye to Ken, Kate McKinnon returns

A serious case of the giggles swept through Studio 8H as Ryan Gosling returned to "Saturday Night Li

Kansas governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for minors, anti-abortion bills

Kansas' governor on Friday vetoed a proposed ban on gender-affirming care for minors, a measure to r