Midori honors Bette Midler | 44th Kennedy Center Honors
Judy Collins - Message to the Honorees | 44th Kennedy Center Honors
Jimmie Allen honors Berry Gordy | 44th Kennedy Center Honors
Paul McCartney honors Lorne Michaels | 44th Kennedy Center Honors
Ben Folds performs "Boxing" for honoree Bette Midler | 44th Kennedy Center Honors
President Biden and the First Lady Host the 44th Kennedy Center Honorees Reception 12 05 21
The 44th Kennedy Center Honorees
The 44th Kennedy Center Honorees
Tony Duncan Performs Flute Blessing For the 44th Kennedy Center Honors
BANG Showbiz English
The 2021 Kennedy Center Honors celebrated Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Berry Gordy and Lorne Michaels with Lifetime Achievement awards on Sunday night (05.12.21).
The prestigious bash returned as an in-person event for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic and was attended by the President of the United States for the first time since 2016, with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in attendance at the star-studded gala.
In tribute to music legend Joni, 78, musicians Ellie Goulding, Norah Jones, Brandi Carlile, and Brittany Howard gave surprise performances of her most-loved songs.
As for Bette, 76, her Hollywood peers Goldie Hawn and Barbara Hershey paid tribute to the ‘Hocus Pocus' star, while ‘Pose' and Broadway star Billy Porter took to the stage for a show-stopping rendition of the icon's hit single ‘The Wind Beneath My Wings' from the soundtrack to the 1988 film ‘Beaches'.
Motown legend Berry, 92, was honoured by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson in recognition of the way he helped launch their careers.
Operatic superstar Justino Diaz, 81, was also celebrated with a performance from the opera ‘Carmen'.
Away from music, ‘Saturday Night Live' legend Lorne -who created and produces the iconic late-night comedy sketch show – was saluted by comics Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, and cast members Colin Jost, Michael Che and Pete Davidson.
The president had hosted a reception for the honourees at the White House prior to the gala, which is set to air on CBS on December 22.
Speaking from the East Room, he told the select guests: “We welcome everyone back.
“Our nation is stronger, more dynamic and more vibrant because of you.”
He said of the honourees: “I don't think you fully appreciate what you do for so many people.”
Biden joked about Lorne, whose show regularly pokes fun at presidents: “Finally, it's my turn to say something about him.”
The world leader admitted: “You make me laugh at myself a lot.”
While he told Bette: “People will never forget how you make them feel. That's your gift, it's incredible.”
Speaking to Joni, he said: “Your words and melodies touch the deepest parts of our soul.”
Stevie Wonder headlined the four-hour event.
