But the extent of her reach – from gospel to pop, sacred to secular – was heralded to significant effect.īoth Broadway legend Chita Rivera and news personality Katie Couric canvassed Grant’s 40-plus-year career, with Couric calling her music, “the perfect elixir for troubled times and troubled souls.”Ĭrow, who bopped through “Baby Baby,” Grant’s massive crossover hit from the early ‘90s that hasn’t lost a step of its giddy bounce, shared that Grant’s emergence during Crow’s college years taught her that “it was possible to be funny, irreverent and Christian at the same time.” Richard Kind, a friend of Clooney’s since the pair starred in a failed sitcom pilot 30 years ago, jested that “there is not one bottle of Casamigos on this set” – referencing the tequila line co-founded by Clooney in 2013.Īfter a Brad Pitt-narrated video overview of Clooney’s accomplishments, Damon further teased “everyone’s sixth-favorite Batman” and shared one of the infamous prankster’s greatest hits: stealing President Bill Clinton’s stationery and writing fake notes to actors saying how much he loved their work.Īs the first contemporary Christian artist to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, Grant is already a trailblazer. George’s best and most important work is still ahead of him.” “He has never stopped surprising me, never stopped learning. Clooney’s father, Nick, 88, his TV anchorman voice still resonant, shared his pride in his son. The stage setting – a dimly lit bar – allowed for the surprises to land easily as the spotlight roamed. Can’t you tell?”īut it was Clooney as Renaissance Man that was celebrated, with Roberts calling him “the best combination of gentleman and playmate,” powerhouse jazz singer Dianne Reeves belting “How High the Moon” (as she did in the Clooney-directed “Good Night, and Good Luck”) and Don Cheadle highlighting Clooney’s dedication to humanitarianism. His easygoing sense of humor was challenged immediately when longtime pal Julia Roberts emerged to flash a trademark grin and joke, “I’m here for Gladys Knight. In a video clip showing the honorees at the earlier White House reception where they received their medals, Clooney joked that no matter where he goes in the world, everyone agrees: “I sucked as Batman.” The performance culminated – fittingly – with “That’s What Friends are For,” with Brooks, Guyton and DeBose trying to stay out of LaBelle’s way as she ad-libbed roof-raising vocal runs. “You’re my sister friend, my everything, for six decades,” she said, tearing up as she addressed Knight. But it was the arrival of Patti LaBelle that prompted a standing ovation before the R&B dynamo said a word. "Now, as the Center completes its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, I cannot help but think that the Kennedy Center's namesake would surely smile at this celebration that brings us closer to his vision of 'an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft.The Empress of Soul “illuminates everything and everyone in her orbit,” according to LL Cool J, who joyfully introduced the diverse spate of musicians to honor Knight.īrooks, cowboy hat firmly in place as he patted his chest, squeezed his eyes shut and dug out his falsetto, imbued “Midnight Train to Georgia” with his usual heartfelt energy before Guyton, resplendent in a gold gown, slayed Knight’s soaring psalm of resilience, “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me,” her voice gliding up the scale at song’s end.Īriana DeBose added a slinky touch and a little Broadway verve to “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” as she twirled around the stage with three current-day Pips. Rutter in a statement announcing the winners. "For nearly a half-century, the Kennedy Center Honors has represented the very best of America's creative culture," said Deborah F. 4, to be broadcast later on CBS and streamed on Paramount +. The Honors are designed to raise money for the Kennedy Center as well as recognize talent and produce an entertaining few hours of television the annual ceremony is slated for Dec. "My first thoughts went to my ancestors: they believed in my dreams, and what we lacked in material wealth, they made up for in spirit, encouragement, and support." "Little did I imagine when studying in La Habana that life was going to grace me with such a distinction!" León said in a statement. This recognition, she said, is particularly meaningful. Now an American citizen, León's contributions to classical music have long been celebrated. culture began when she arrived as a refugee from Cuba on a "Freedom Flight" in 1967.
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