“The Kennedy Center Honors celebrates luminaries whose art and creativity have enriched us beyond measure,” Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a statement, and this year’s 44th annual Kennedy Center Honors gala will feature a number of celebrities who will perform, tell anecdotes and pay tribute to this year’s honorees. While last year’s Honors were delayed because of COVID-19 (when they ceremony finally was held, it was without an in-person audience), 2021 marks a return to the Center and the Opera House where the gala takes place. However, because the pandemic is still an issue, those inside wore masks and presented proof of vaccination to attend. Speaking of, President Joe Biden was the first president in four years to attend the Honors festivities, as President Trumpdid not attend at all during White House tenure. “Our nation is stronger, more dynamic and more vibrant because of you,” Biden said at the White House reception for those being honored. “For this pandemic of profound loss and pain… we’ve seen the power of art in every form to heal, to comfort and recover.” Big stars like Oprah Winfrey, Adele, Stevie Wonder and Scarlett Johansson and more were on hand earlier this month to celebrate this year’s five honorees: Bette Midler, Justino Diaz, Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy and Lorne Michaels. Keep reading to see learn everything you want to know about the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors, including how and when you can tune in to watch!
What are the Kennedy Center Honors?
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has presented the Honors since 1977. According to the Kennedy Center, “the Honors have been compared to a knighthood in Britain, or the French Legion of Honor–the quintessential reward for a lifetime’s endeavor.” Recipients are “recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts—whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures, or television,” according to the Kennedy Center. Past honorees have included performers of all kinds, from Julie AndrewstoLin-Manuel Miranda. A weekend-long, invite-only event, the annual Honors include a luncheon, dinner at the State Department (this year, it was held at the Library of Congress), and a White House reception; those events all lead up to the gala, which includes performances and tributes. Honors recipients are further celebrated with a medallion with rainbow-colored ribbons meant to symbolize “the spectrum of many skills within the performing arts," according to Ivan Chermayeff, who designed them.
Who picks the Kennedy Center Honorees?
According to the Kennedy Center, the public (that means you!) can nominate deserving artists through the Honors website. Nominations are then explored; this year, the Center’s Special Honors Advisory Committee made the final recommendations. Who’s on that committee? It’s a group made up of trustees, Kennedy Center leadership, artistic partners and past Honorees. Usually about five to seven names make the final cut.
When are the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors?
The actual gala event was held this year on Sunday, Dec. 5 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. If you didn’t get an invite, don’t worry–you can watch the ceremony with the rest of us on the CBS network on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
How do you get invited to the Kennedy Center Honors?
The Honors and the visibility surrounding them raise a lot of money for the Kennedy Center and its various programs. For that reason, Honors tickets are first offered to Center donors. After that, the public can secure tickets–but only as-requested.
Who is hosting the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors?
This year, the gala event was hosted by a past Honors honoree himself: talk show host David Letterman.
Who is getting Kennedy Center Honors this year?
Singer/actress Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz, singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, Motown founder Berry Gordy and SNL creator Lorne Michaels were chosen as 2021 recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors.
Who is performing at the Kennedy Center Honors this year?
Each year, the honorees are celebrated with performances from peers and today’s most influential artists. For instance, Midler’s hit “Wind Beneath My Wings” will be sung on tonight’s broadcast by Great White Way icon Kelli O’Hara. This year’s lineup includes:
2021 Kennedy Center Honoree: BERRY GORDY, Founder of Motown Records
Presenter: Smokey Robinson Film narration: Oprah Winfrey “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” segment: Broadway cast Performances by Andra Day, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder “Higher Ground”: Stevie Wonder and others
2021 Kennedy Center Honoree: JONI MITCHELL (singer and songwriter)
Presenters: Cameron Crowe, Dan Levy “Case of You” and medley: Norah Jones “Big Yellow Taxi”: Ellie Goulding “River”: Brandi Carlile “Both Sides Now”: Brittany Howard and Herbie Hancock
2021 Kennedy Center Honoree: JUSTINO DIAZ (opera singer)
Presenters: Grace Bumbry, Denyse Graves, Chita Rivera Toreador song from “Carmen”: Denyse Graves, Hannah Shea, Christian Van Horn, Ariana Wehr Finale from “Faust”: Anna Maria Martinez, Matthew Polenzani, Christian Van Horn “En Mi Viejo San Juan”: Katya and Natascia
2021 Kennedy Center Honoree: BETTE MIDLER, Vocalist and Actress
Presenters: Goldie Hawn, Barbara Hershey, Scarlett Johansson, Melissa Manchester Film narration: Adele “You Gotta Have Friends”: “Hello, Dolly!” cast members Kate Baldwin, Beanie Feldstein, Taylor Trensch “Wind Beneath My Wings”: Kelli O’Hara “From a Distance”: Billy Porter
Honoree: LORNE MICHAELS, Creator of Saturday Night Live
Presenter: Steve Martin “Weekend Update”: Michael Che and Colin Jost “Weekend Update”: Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler “Weekend Update”: Kevin Nealon Other presenters: Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Wiig “America”: Paul Simon
How can I watch the 2021 Kennedy Honors show?
CBS will broadcast the gala on Wednesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. ET. It will then be available to stream on the Paramount+ streaming service. Next, The 2022 Critics Choice Awards’ Movie Nominations Are Out! Find Out Who’s Nominated, Who’s Hosting and How to Watch
