Barry Gibb, Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifiah, and Renee Fleming were the latest Kennedy Center Honors inductees. (Photo property of CBS’s Mary Kouw)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts inducted a new batch of entertainers into their legendary organization. Music legends Barry Gibb and Dionne Warwick, opera icon Renee Fleming, and celebrated entertainers Billy Crystal and Queen Latifah were honored during the 46th edition of Kennedy Center Honors.
The quintet joined an all-star fraternity whose membership includes Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Billy Joel, Carol Burnett, David Letterman, Debbie Allen, Dolly Parton, Sir Elton John, Gloria Estefan, Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, and Stevie Wonder, along with dearly missed Angela Lansbury, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, and Tony Bennett.
2017 Honoree Gloria Estefan took over the ceremony’s hosting duties and kicked things off with “Conga,” “Rhythm is Going to Get You,”
and “Get On Your Feet” with Sheila E on percussion. As the dancers left the stage, the Class of 2023 Kennedy Center Honors appeared in the President’s Box with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and President and Mrs. Biden.
2021 Honoree Debbie Allen started the ceremony’s business by paying homage to the six-time Grammy award-winning Dionne Warwick. Mickey Guyton teamed up with the Spinners to tackle “Then Came You.” Thanks to their collaboration, I got the first set of chills of the evening. Jennifer Hudson narrated a video tribute to Dionne Warwick. Debbie Allen returned to the Kennedy Center stage to introduce Cynthia Erivo, who sang “Alfie” and gave me goosebumps.
Ms. Warwick’s tribute continued as President Biden paid homage at the State Department ceremony. After the video tribute, SNL star and Dionne Warwick crossplayer Ego Nwodim reflected on performing with the music legend when she visited Studio 8H and introduced Chloe Bailey, who sang “Walk on By.” Music icon Clive Davis praised Ms. Warwick for her Lexicon of her hits and their partnership. Another music legend and one of Ms. Warwick’s longtime friends, 2022 Kennedy Center Honoree Gladys Knight, sang “I Say A Little Prayer,” once again, I got chills.
I was so excited when the Kennedy Center announced it would honor Billy Crystal. He is one of my all-time favorite entertainers! President Biden called him: “An American Showman with a Heart of Gold.” 2018 honoree Lin-Manuel Miranda (accompanied by Marc Shaiman) led a song and dance tribute to Billy Crystal that paid homage to the longtime Oscar host. Rob Reiner narrated a tribute video that featured clips from The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Mr. Saturday Night, Soap, and Monsters, Inc.
Jay Leno praised Billy Crystal for getting him and wished him a hearty “Mazel Tov” before the Kennedy Center stage transformed into Katz’s Deli. Rob Reiner revealed how he became friends with Billy Crystal and called him his good luck charm with three of his films – This is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally. Sally herself – Meg Ryan – spoke about that iconic scene and praised him for acting effortlessly. Whoopi Goldberg reminisced about the first time she saw him in action along with Soap. She also recalled how Billy and Robin gathered for Comic Relief and added how Billy embraced Tikkun Olam thanks to his parents. Legendary sports broadcaster Bob Costas shared their history, revealed the actor’s baseball card, and reminded the American Public about Billy’s relationship with Muhammad Ali. Robert De Niro concluded the tribute by praising his acting abilities and ended by singing a profane-laced “It Had to Be You.”
Kerry Washington appeared on the Kennedy Center stage to launch Queen Latifah’s tribute. The Scandal actress shared the rapper and actress’ origin story and praised how Queen Latifah broke barriers in the rap world and accumulated a Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award. I loved hearing from her family. I loved seeing MC Lyte and 5-year-old rapper Van Van pay homage to Queen Latifah, which ended with “U.N.I.T.Y.”
Missy Elliott continued the love fest and how she first discovered Queen Latifah. The rapper and producer praised the triple threat for setting the bar and declared Queen Latifah “MOTHA.” Grammy-nominated artist Rapsody paid homage to her mentor in a beautiful tribute. The Clark Sisters rounded out the performance with an outstanding interpretation of Hairspray’s “I Know Where They’ve Been.”
President Biden compared Renee Fleming’s voice to a choir of angels during their State Department dinner. Entertainment legend Christine Baranski shared how she bonded with Renee over the years and how she sang the Top 10 List on Letterman, appearing on Mr. Blackwell’s Best Dressed List. A quartet of opera singers performed “Song to the Moon (Rusalka)”. After the performance, a video tribute showcased Ms. Fleming’s career, including her beautiful cover of “Amazing Grace” after 9/11 and performing at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Super Bowl.
Actress Dove Cameron praised her West End star for mentoring her before she sang “The Light in the Piazza.” Legendary actress Sigourney Weaver praised Ms. Fleming’s acting in the opera world and her activism to raise global awareness regarding health, wellness, and the arts. Actor and singer Tituss Burgess teamed up with Christine Baranski and Dove Cameron in singing the iconic “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
After President Biden declared himself a fan, it was time for Sir Barry Gibb to be honored! Gloria Estefan returned to the stage to ignite the tribute. She praised him for writing material for himself and other artists. Dolly Parton, Sir Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, and Barbra Streisand joined forces for a tribute video honoring Mr. Gibb. Little Big Town started the musical performances with “Lonely Days,” which made me leave my seat. Michael Buble praised Sir Barry Gibb for championing him and assisting the crooner in launching his career. He delivered a fabulous interpretation of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning performer Ben Platt scored a vocal touchdown with “Nights on Broadway.”
Musician Stephen Gibb paid homage to his father who weeped during the tribute. Finally, Oscar and Golden Globe-winning performer Ariana DeBose and classical pianist Chloe Flower transformed the Kennedy Center stage into Studio 54 with a medley of Bee Gees hits!
