Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, and the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb were among the 2023 Kennedy Center honorees.
Hosted this year by 2017 honoree Gloria Estefan, the annual Washington, D.C., event held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, honors exceptional lifetime contributions to the arts, and paying tribute to this years recipients were Ben Platt, Missy Elliott, Chloe Bailey, Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, and Gladys Knight and others.
In a speech that addressed her childhood exposure to Latifah’s music, Missy Elliott sang Queen Latifah’s praises, by saying “What Latifah has taught us,” “is unity, to believe in yourself, and to love a Black woman from infinity to infinity.”
In her statement about receiving the honor, Queen Latifah said, “When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told ‘No’…. To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community.”
In honor of Dionne Warwick, Chloe Bailey, Cynthia Erivo, and Gladys Knight performed songs from the iconic singers legendary discography, along with Saturday Night Live’s Ego Nwodim and 2020 honoree Debbie Allen who gave speeches in the soul legend’s honor. Bailey performed “Walk On By,” Erivo sang “Alfie,” and Knight picked out “Say a Little Prayer.”
Barry Gibb’s tribute included a Michael Bublé version of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?,” Little Big Town’s take on “Lonely Days, Lonely Nights,” Ben Platt interpretation of “Nights on Broadway” along with Ariana DeBose who performed a medley of Bee Gees’ hits “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Stayin’ Alive.”
In a statement prior to the night’s festivities Gibb said “Receiving the Kennedy Center Honors is something that everyone hopes might happen one day. I’ve often thought about but never dreamed it could come true.”
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Saul Goode