Kennedy Center Honors 2025 to Celebrate Crawford,Stallone,Gaynor,Strait & KISS Amidst Venue Name Change
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the annual Kennedy Center Honors,a festivity of lifetime achievements in the performing arts,will recognize a diverse group of artists in 2025,including stage legend Michael Crawford,action icon Sylvester Stallone,country star George Strait,disco and gospel pioneer gloria Gaynor,and rock band KISS. The ceremony, held earlier this month in Washington, D.C., was hosted by the Chairman of the Kennedy Center and President of the United States, Donald Trump, and promises a night of memorable tributes.
Honoring a Legacy of Artistic Excellence
This year’s honorees represent a broad spectrum of American culture, from the Broadway stage to the silver screen and the world of music. Michael Crawford, renowned for his iconic portrayal of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, will be celebrated with performances showcasing his celebrated career. Previews of the ceremony reveal a moving tribute featuring Carrie Manolakos performing “It Only Takes a Moment” from Hello, dolly!, alongside performances by Laura Osnes and David Phelps drawing from the Phantom of the Opera.
Alongside Crawford, Sylvester Stallone will be honored for his contributions as both an actor and writer, notably his creation of the rocky franchise, which also found life on Broadway. Country music icon George Strait joins the ranks of honorees, recognized for his decades-long impact on American music. The vibrant sounds of Gloria Gaynor, a defining voice in both disco and gospel, will also be celebrated, alongside the enduring energy of rock group KISS.
Star-Studded Tributes and Broadcast Details
The Kennedy Center Honors are known for their breathtaking tributes, and the 2025 ceremony is no exception.In addition to the performances already highlighted, the event featured appearances and performances by a stellar lineup including Miranda lambert, Debbie Winans, Kurt Russell, Vince Gill, and Elle King. A reimagined version of Hello, dolly! introduced Crawford, presented by Kelsey Grammer.
Viewers can catch the broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors on Tuesday, December 23, from 8:00-10:30 p.m.ET/PT on CBS, and it will also be available for streaming on Paramount+. Highlights from the initial medal ceremony can be viewed [here](link to medal ceremony highlights – placeholder).
A New Name for an Iconic Venue
Adding a layer of political significance to the event, the board overseeing the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recently voted to rename the venue the trump-Kennedy Center. This decision reflects the current role of the president as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
A Tradition of Recognizing Artistic Giants
The Kennedy center Honors have a rich history of celebrating the very best in American performing arts. Past Broadway honorees include luminaries such as Leonard Bernstein,Agnes DeMille,Julie Andrews,angela Lansbury,Chita Rivera,Carol Burnett,Mel Brooks,Andrew Lloyd Webber,and Stephen Sondheim – a testament to the enduring power and influence of the stage. The 2025 class of honor
