President Donald Trump hosted the celebrated awards present and personally chosen this 12 months’s recipients
The forty eighth annual Kennedy Middle Honors will have fun 5 leisure icons when the ceremony airs on Dec. 23, with President Donald Trump taking an unprecedented hands-on position in each internet hosting and deciding on this 12 months’s recipients. The president, who didn’t attend the honors throughout his first time period, introduced in August that he was closely concerned in selecting the honorees and would personally host the celebrated occasion.
Trump offered the medals to the recipients throughout a Saturday night ceremony within the Oval Workplace earlier than the primary occasion on Sunday evening. This system will broadcast at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount, showcasing performers and actors who’ve formed American leisure for many years.
1. George Strait brings nation music royalty
The record-setting nation artist grew up in a small city south of San Antonio, Texas, earlier than breaking into stardom together with his 1981 album Strait Nation. With greater than 120 million information bought worldwide, Strait has grow to be one of the vital profitable recording artists in historical past. The Nation Music Corridor of Fame inducted him in 2006, cementing his legacy within the style. In 2024, Strait set a document for the most important ticketed present in U.S. historical past when he carried out at Kyle Discipline at Texas A&M in School Station, Texas, drawing an unlimited crowd to witness his timeless hits.
2. Michael Crawford stars as Broadway legend
The English actor and Broadway veteran earned widespread recognition for his starring position in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, reportedly one of many president’s favourite musicals. Crawford’s Broadway efficiency earned him a Tony Award for finest actor in 1988, establishing him as considered one of theater’s most celebrated performers. Earlier than his iconic Broadway run, he portrayed nineteenth century showman P.T. Barnum within the 1986 movie Barnum, showcasing his versatility as a performer throughout completely different mediums.
3. Sylvester Stallone receives recognition for iconic roles
The actor stays finest recognized for his portrayal of underdog boxer Rocky Balboa within the Rocky movie sequence, a personality that grew to become deeply embedded in American well-liked tradition. Past his leisure profession, Stallone has taken on a extra political position in recent times. In January, Trump named him considered one of three Particular Ambassadors to Hollywood. Stallone endorsed the president late within the 2024 marketing campaign and launched him on the America First Coverage Institute Gala, the place he made complimentary remarks concerning the president’s management.
4. Gloria Gaynor claims disco crown
The singer earned her title because the queen of disco via hit songs I Will Survive and The Eye of the Tiger, which grew to become anthems of empowerment and resilience. In March 2016, the Library of Congress acknowledged the cultural significance of I Will Survive by inducting the recording into the Nationwide Recording Registry. In response to Federal Election Fee filings, Gaynor has been an lively Republican donor underneath her delivery title Gloria Fowles, contributing to quite a few GOP candidates since 2016.
5. KISS rocks into Kennedy Middle historical past
The American glam rock band, based in 1973 by singer-guitarist Paul Stanley and bassist Gene Simmons, grew to become well-known for theatrical stage reveals that includes hearth, elaborate costumes, platform boots and signature black and white face paint. Their hits embrace Rock and Roll All Nite and I Was Made for Lovin’ You, which helped them earn a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame in 1999. The band’s unique lead guitarist Ace Frehley died in October. His daughter Monique Frehley obtained her late father’s medal through the Oval Workplace ceremony on Saturday.
The Kennedy Middle Honors symbolize one of many nation’s highest recognition for performing artists, celebrating people who’ve made extraordinary contributions to American tradition via their lifetime achievements within the arts.
Supply: CNN
