President Donald Trump unveiled the recipients during a livestream
George Strait, Kiss, and Gloria Gaynor are among the recipients of the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors. President Donald Trump shared the news during a livestream today (Wed, Aug 13th), where each honoree’s photo was unveiled as he announced their names. Trump also confirmed that he’s producing and hosting the annual event, and was among those who picked each honoree.
Theater star Michael Crawford and actor Sylvester Stallone will also be honored.
Strait was the first to be announced, with Trump quipping, “They call him the king of country… Good-looking guy. I hope he still looks that way.”
Gaynor was the next music artist he announced, noting her hit “I Will Survive” as an “unbelievable song” that he says gets better each time he hears it.
Finally, Kiss was unveiled as the final honoree. “It’s an honor to present Kiss,” Trump shared, teasing the band might perform before the Kennedy Center Honors on CBS. Rumors indicate the original four members will be honored and have agreed to attend, but will not perform.
The event is slated for December 7th at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. More details about the ceremony and broadcast are forthcoming.
The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique contributions have shaped the way we see ourselves, each other and our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures or television, each Kennedy Center Honoree has a unique place in the national consciousness and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; over the years, the selection process has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.
Beloved by millions, Strait has become known the world over as the unambiguous “King of Country.” Over his extraordinary four-decade career, he has sold more than 120 million records worldwide, amassed 60 No. 1 hits, and produced 33 platinum-certified albums — more than any other living American. He is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for more than three decades. Offstage, Strait’s philanthropy has raised tens of millions of dollars for military and children’s causes, including through the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation to preserve the memory of his daughter and by presenting 127 mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans through the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
Among the most revered singers of the American disco era, Gaynor’s chart-topping 1978 hit “I Will Survive” earned her the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording — with her song inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2016. Four decades later, Gloria won a second Grammy in 2020 for her gospel album Testimony, a historic achievement.
Among the greatest rock bands of all time, Kiss was formed in New York City in 1973 by founding members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. The band would go on to become a global phenomenon, selling more than 100 million records worldwide, producing 30 gold albums — the most ever by an American band — and earning an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
