'SNL' and 'Motown Sound' creators among 5 picked for Kennedy Center's 44th honors
The Kennedy Center Honors returned to their traditional roots, with President Joe Biden holding a black-tie event for the honorees at the White House on December 5. That White House event preceded a gala at the center's main opera house later that evening, honoring the five people the center picked this year. Amongst those chosen to be feted include SNL creator Lorne Michaels and iconic actress Bette Midler.
The event is just the latest to return to a physical venue after Covid-19 forced all major events in 2020 to go virtual. But significant challenges remain, especially after the discovery of the Omicron variant in late November. Several cast members of Marvel's 'Eternals' were forced into isolation during the film's promotional tour, after contracting Covid-19. The pandemic also forced a slight shift in the Kennedy Center's 2021 event, with honorees receiving their medallions in the Annual Saturday ceremony at the Library of Congress instead of the State Department.
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But beyond that, the event has more or less returned to its traditions, even including the participation of the President. During his time in the Oval Office, Donald Trump chose to skip attending the event, as well as the White House ceremony after several honorees threatened to boycott the reception if he attended in 2017. Biden however, hasn't faced such an issue and saw this year's honorees visit the White House.
44th Kennedy Center Honorees
For the 44th edition of its honors, the Kennedy Center picked five people to be feted-
Justino Díaz: The Puerto Rican bass-baritone has been performing since the age of eight, and studied at the acclaimed New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Diaz made his operatic debut in 1957 as Ben in Menotti’s 'The Telephone', which led to him singing in 400 performances, across 21 seasons, in 39 roles. He has performed at some of the world's most famous venues including The Royal Opera in London, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires.
Berry Gordy: The record executive best known for creating 'Motown Sound', named after his record company. In his long and distinguished career, Gordy has worn many hats - boxer, songwriter, producer, director, and entrepreneur. With Motown, he famously nurtured the talents of Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye amongst many others. He later transitioned to TV and film, even directing 'Lady Sings the Blues', which garnered five Academy Award nominations.
Lorne Michaelsnning producer and writer is the brain behind one of TV's most iconic shows - 'Saturday Night Live'. Born in Toronto, Canada, Michaels began his career in the city before moving to New York in 1975 to begin SNL. He's also worked as an executive producer on other iconic shows like 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', as well as a large number of films like 'Whiskey Tango Foxtrot', 'MacGruber', and 'Wayne's World'. He also holds the record for the most number of individual Emmy Award nominations with a staggering 93 nominations.
Bette Midler: A veteran of the stage and screen, Midler's career six decades, multiple genres, and platforms. Her acting has landed her two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards. She's also scooped up four Grammy Awards and sold over 30 million copies of her albums. She also founded the New York Restorative Project, dedicated to preserving community gardens and trees in the Big Apple.
Joni Mitchell: Another iconic name, Mitchell's work spans poetry, music, and even painting. In the 70s and 80s, she became the premier female singer-songwriter of the generation, redefining the role of women in music. Her trailblazing work has seen her scoop up nine Grammy Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In fact, Rolling Stone called her "one of the greatest songwriters ever," perhaps an apt way to sum up Mitchell's multi-decade career.