Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and music legend George Strait are among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, which US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday. Disco diva Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, and British theater star Michael Crawford are others who will receive the honors, one of the United States' highest awards for the arts.&nbsp;Donald Trump has announced that he will host the gala where the awards will be distributed&nbsp;to the winners.&nbsp;Donald Trump said the awards will&nbsp;be quite successful if he hosts them.&nbsp;Sylvester Stallone, 79, is a three-time Oscar nominee. He is best known for the Rocky film franchise. He also played the titular role in the superhit franchise, Rambo.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/i-asked-elon-musk-s-ai-grok-why-it-called-trump-most-notorious-criminal-in-washington-it-doubled-down-and-gave-me-these-reasons-1754985406949">Also read: I asked Grok why it called Trump 'most notorious criminal'. It said THIS</a>&nbsp;Strait, 73, is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, known for huge hits like "All My Exes Live in Texas" and “Amarillo by Morning.”&nbsp;KISS, the band that was formed in New York in the 1970s, is famous for its shock rock performances.&nbsp;The Kennedy Center is one of the country's top performing arts facilities. It was opened in 1971 in memory of John F Kennedy, the US President who was shot dead during a parade.&nbsp;Soon after becoming the president the second time, Donald Trump appointed himself as the board's chairman.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-bring-up-alleged-russian-hack-into-us-federal-court-system-during-talks-with-putin-here-s-what-he-said-1755107553556">Also read: Trump to bring up alleged Russian hack into US federal court system during talks with Putin? Here’s what he said</a>&nbsp;"A few short months ago, I became chairman of the Kennedy Center," Donald Trump said Wednesday.&nbsp;"We ended the woke...political programming," he added.&nbsp;During 2017 and 2021, Donald Trump didn't attend the gala because some of the artists had criticized&nbsp;him.

Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and music legend George Strait are among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, which were announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. 

Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and music legend George Strait are among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, which US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday. Disco diva Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, and British theater star Michael Crawford are others who will receive the honors, one of the United States' highest awards for the arts. Donald Trump has announced that he will host the gala where the awards will be distributed to the winners. Donald Trump said the awards will be quite successful if he hosts them. Sylvester Stallone, 79, is a three-time Oscar nominee. He is best known for the Rocky film franchise. He also played the titular role in the superhit franchise, Rambo. Also read: I asked Grok why it called Trump 'most notorious criminal'. It said THIS Strait, 73, is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, known for huge hits like "All My Exes Live in Texas" and “Amarillo by Morning.” KISS, the band that was formed in New York in the 1970s, is famous for its shock rock performances. The Kennedy Center is one of the country's top performing arts facilities. It was opened in 1971 in memory of John F Kennedy, the US President who was shot dead during a parade. Soon after becoming the president the second time, Donald Trump appointed himself as the board's chairman. Also read: Trump to bring up alleged Russian hack into US federal court system during talks with Putin? Here’s what he said "A few short months ago, I became chairman of the Kennedy Center," Donald Trump said Wednesday. "We ended the woke...political programming," he added. During 2017 and 2021, Donald Trump didn't attend the gala because some of the artists had criticized him.

Kennedy Center Honors: Donald Trump said the awards will&nbsp;be quite successful if he hosts them.

Donald Trump announces Kennedy Center Honors, Sylvester Stallone gets award

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, who shared screen space with George Clooney in the Ocean's 11 trilogy along with this year's 'Ticket To Paradise', turned cheerleader for the acclaimed actor and filmmaker at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors event, held at The White House.

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts, who shared screen space with George Clooney in the Ocean's 11 trilogy along with this year's 'Ticket To Paradise', turned cheerleader for the acclaimed actor and filmmaker at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors event, held at The White House. Roberts wore a custom dress adorned with Clooney's face to show her support for the superstar. The beautiful sartorial piece was designed by Moschino's creative director Jeremy Scott. The 55-year-old paired her head-turning look with a cropped jacket and glittering Chopard jewellery. After entering the annual event, Roberts traded her Clooney-themed outfit for a classic black suit. Clooney was among several stars who were honoured with lifetime achievement awards at the event. Rock band U2 and singer Gladys Knight were among the honourees. Check out photos of Julia's outfit here! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elizabeth Stewart 🐯🎈🈹🍸 (@elizabethstewart1) View this post on Instagram A post shared by JastrzabPost.pl 🦅 (@jastrzabpost.pl) The star-studded event was attended by several celebrities and political figures. Matt Damon, Sheryl Crow, Garth Brooks, Patti LaBelle, Sean Penn, US Vice President Kamala Harris, Sacha Baron Cohen and Sesame Street's Big Bird were in attendance. Also read: Deepika Padukone will be unveiling the FIFA World Cup trophy during the finals The actress loves to wear statement-making outfits that pay homage to her dear ones. Back in September, she wore a glittering Alexander McQueen gown at a promotional event for her film 'Ticket to Paradise'. Her gown was customised with a sentimental nod to her husband and her children. Their initials, names and the date of her wedding anniversary were embroidered into the fabric. She paired the gown with the same crop jacket she wore at Kennedy Center Honors. Check it out below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ExtraTV (@extratv) On the movie front, Roberts will be next seen as Amanda in psychological thriller 'Leave the World Behind', written, directed and produced by Sam Esmail. The movie will also star Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha'la Herrold among others. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Julia Roberts wears Moschino gown adorned with George Clooney's iconic pics

Actor George Clooney, singer Amy Grant, singer Gladys Knight, composer Tania León and rock group U2 were honored by U.S. President Joe Biden at the 45th Kennedy Center Honors show.

U.S. Prez Joe Biden praises the five honorees at the 45th Kennedy Center Honors

President Joe Biden celebrates artists including Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell and Lorne Michaels on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors, bringing back presidential participation in the annual ceremony skipped by Republican Donald Trump. 
 
Singer Justino Díaz and Motown founder Berry Gordy round out the group of artists selected by the Kennedy Center for top honors this year at a show that had been upended by politics and the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Biden, a Democrat who took over from Trump in January, held a black-tie ceremony for the five honorees at the White House ahead of the event in Washington, the sort of glamorous celebration that has become rare in a White House that has eschewed large gatherings in the COVID-19 era. 
 
Trump did not hold such a reception during his four years in office and did not attend the show at the Kennedy Center itself. 
 
The arts community largely did not object to that absence. Singer and actress Cher, an honoree in 2018 and an outspoken Trump critic, said she would have had to accept the award in a bathroom if Trump had come. 
 
The awards recognize a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts. 
 
Midler, a singer and actress, has received Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe awards for a career spanning decades, with album sales exceeding 30 million around the world. 
 
Singer-songwriter Mitchell, a native Canadian known for songs such as “Both Sides, Now" and "Big Yellow Taxi," is a multi-Grammy recipient and an inductee into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame. 
 
Michaels, also a native of Canada, is the creator and executive producer of the long-running NBC sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live." 
 
"If you can`t laugh at yourself, we`re in real trouble, and you make me laugh at myself a lot," Biden said in remarks addressed to Michaels, noting the show has used seven comics to play him over the years. 
 
Comedy and other art forms and cultural exports help the United States lead by the power of its example worldwide, the president said. 
 
"Throughout my career, I`ve met nearly every world leader," he said. "And I`ll tell you, not everyone sees satire that way. You`d all be in jail." 
 
Diaz, a bass-baritone opera singer from Puerto Rico, has performed with opera companies around the world. 
 
Gordy, a songwriter and record producer from Detroit, founded the Motown record label that became synonymous with a jazz- and blues-influenced musical sound popularized by Black artists including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie, whose careers he helped shape. Gordy is also a Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

President Joe Biden celebrates artists including Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell and Lorne Michaels on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors, bringing back presidential participation in the annual ceremony skipped by Republican Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden celebrates artists including Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell and Lorne Michaels on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors, bringing back presidential participation in the annual ceremony skipped by Republican Donald Trump. Singer Justino Díaz and Motown founder Berry Gordy round out the group of artists selected by the Kennedy Center for top honors this year at a show that had been upended by politics and the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden, a Democrat who took over from Trump in January, held a black-tie ceremony for the five honorees at the White House ahead of the event in Washington, the sort of glamorous celebration that has become rare in a White House that has eschewed large gatherings in the COVID-19 era. Trump did not hold such a reception during his four years in office and did not attend the show at the Kennedy Center itself. The arts community largely did not object to that absence. Singer and actress Cher, an honoree in 2018 and an outspoken Trump critic, said she would have had to accept the award in a bathroom if Trump had come. The awards recognize a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts. Midler, a singer and actress, has received Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe awards for a career spanning decades, with album sales exceeding 30 million around the world. Singer-songwriter Mitchell, a native Canadian known for songs such as “Both Sides, Now" and "Big Yellow Taxi," is a multi-Grammy recipient and an inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Michaels, also a native of Canada, is the creator and executive producer of the long-running NBC sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live." "If you can`t laugh at yourself, we`re in real trouble, and you make me laugh at myself a lot," Biden said in remarks addressed to Michaels, noting the show has used seven comics to play him over the years. Comedy and other art forms and cultural exports help the United States lead by the power of its example worldwide, the president said. "Throughout my career, I`ve met nearly every world leader," he said. "And I`ll tell you, not everyone sees satire that way. You`d all be in jail." Diaz, a bass-baritone opera singer from Puerto Rico, has performed with opera companies around the world. Gordy, a songwriter and record producer from Detroit, founded the Motown record label that became synonymous with a jazz- and blues-influenced musical sound popularized by Black artists including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Lionel Richie, whose careers he helped shape. Gordy is also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Tradition again: Joe Biden celebrates Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell at Kennedy Center Honors

Al Pacino, The Eagles, James Taylor, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and Argentine pianist Martha Argerich were celebrated Sunday for their lifetime achievements at the last major arts gala attended by President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

It was a bittersweet moment, with Obama making one of his final goodbyes to celebrated artists as president.

The first couple received an extended standing ovation as they entered the Opera House of the Kennedy Center, a monument to the late president John F&nbsp;Kennedy.

&quot;This is a joyous day. It&#39;s the best Christmas present!&quot; Staples told AFP on the red carpet about receiving a Kennedy Center Honor, considered the nation&#39;s highest recognition for performing artists, just before Obama leaves offices.

At 77, Staples lives up to the maxim that age is only a number. &quot;People ask me, &#39;Mavis, when are you going to retire?&#39; Retire for what? I love what I&#39;m doing and I intend to sing until I can&#39;t sing no more, forever,&quot; she said.

Sean Penn, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Spacey and Ringo Starr were some of the A-listers who serenaded and hailed the legacy of the award recipients during the star-studded performance hosted for the third consecutive year by late night talk show host Stephen Colbert.

&nbsp;

Obamas celebrated&nbsp;

As he kicked off the evening, Colbert said America was lucky to have a &quot;passionate, intelligent and dignified&quot; president. That brought loud cheers and applause from the crowd. Colbert then joked: &quot;Sir, I don&#39;t know why you stood up, I was talking about Michelle.&quot;

At a White House reception prior to the reception, Obama called the awards &quot;one of the parts of the job that I will miss&quot;.

Obama jokingly asked Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, a notorious troublemaker, not to trash the White House because he is leaving soon and wants his &quot;security deposit&quot; back.

The Eagles were set to be honoured last year but postponed due to the illness of founding member Glenn Frey, who died in January. He received his award posthumously.

Grammy Award-winner Juanes performed &quot;Hotel California&quot; with guitarist Steve Vai, who said before the event that playing the piece&#39;s famed guitar riff in front of the musicians was &quot;surreal.&quot;

Taylor, 68, performed &quot;America the Beautiful&quot; at Obama&#39;s second inauguration in January 2013, while Staples, who like none other provided the music of the civil rights movement, sang at Kennedy&#39;s inauguration.

&quot;In 1968, when James Taylor signed with Apple Records, I was in Vietnam and America was at war abroad and in turmoil here at home. We were fighting and marching to the music of (Jimi) Hendrix, the drumming of Ringo (Starr), the Doors, the (Rolling) Stones, and the (Grateful) Dead,&quot; Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday during a reception at which the artists received the awards.

&quot;And amid the darkness of that era, James Taylor returned sunlight to our minds, conjuring up the warm images of snow on the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston, deep greens and blues as the colours of choosing, and moonlight ladies singing rockabye to &#39;Sweet Baby James.&#39;&quot;

&nbsp;

Surprised?&nbsp;

Argerich, 75, is widely considered one of the world&#39;s best, if reclusive, pianists. For nearly two decades, she largely shunned solo performances, playing almost exclusively with orchestras and chamber ensembles, until a sold-out recital at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2000.

&quot;I was surprised. I didn&#39;t think I was entitled,&quot; Argerich said of learning she had won the award.

Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle hailed Pacino as being humble about his long and storied career that has seen him perform in some 100 films and plays, including &quot;The Godfather,&quot; &quot;Scarface, &quot;Sea of Love,&quot; &quot;Heat&quot; and &quot;Scent of a Woman&quot;.

&quot;His gift, for all the inspiration and intensity that he brings to his roles, is that he lets us into what his characters are feeling,&quot; Obama said.

(AFP)

They were celebrated on Sunday for their lifetime achievements at the last major arts gala attended by US President Barack Obama

Al Pacino, The Eagles, James Taylor, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and Argentine pianist Martha Argerich were celebrated Sunday for their lifetime achievements at the last major arts gala attended by President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. It was a bittersweet moment, with Obama making one of his final goodbyes to celebrated artists as president. The first couple received an extended standing ovation as they entered the Opera House of the Kennedy Center, a monument to the late president John F Kennedy. "This is a joyous day. It's the best Christmas present!" Staples told AFP on the red carpet about receiving a Kennedy Center Honor, considered the nation's highest recognition for performing artists, just before Obama leaves offices. At 77, Staples lives up to the maxim that age is only a number. "People ask me, 'Mavis, when are you going to retire?' Retire for what? I love what I'm doing and I intend to sing until I can't sing no more, forever," she said. Sean Penn, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Spacey and Ringo Starr were some of the A-listers who serenaded and hailed the legacy of the award recipients during the star-studded performance hosted for the third consecutive year by late night talk show host Stephen Colbert. Obamas celebrated As he kicked off the evening, Colbert said America was lucky to have a "passionate, intelligent and dignified" president. That brought loud cheers and applause from the crowd. Colbert then joked: "Sir, I don't know why you stood up, I was talking about Michelle." At a White House reception prior to the reception, Obama called the awards "one of the parts of the job that I will miss". Obama jokingly asked Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, a notorious troublemaker, not to trash the White House because he is leaving soon and wants his "security deposit" back. The Eagles were set to be honoured last year but postponed due to the illness of founding member Glenn Frey, who died in January. He received his award posthumously. Grammy Award-winner Juanes performed "Hotel California" with guitarist Steve Vai, who said before the event that playing the piece's famed guitar riff in front of the musicians was "surreal." Taylor, 68, performed "America the Beautiful" at Obama's second inauguration in January 2013, while Staples, who like none other provided the music of the civil rights movement, sang at Kennedy's inauguration. "In 1968, when James Taylor signed with Apple Records, I was in Vietnam and America was at war abroad and in turmoil here at home. We were fighting and marching to the music of (Jimi) Hendrix, the drumming of Ringo (Starr), the Doors, the (Rolling) Stones, and the (Grateful) Dead," Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday during a reception at which the artists received the awards. "And amid the darkness of that era, James Taylor returned sunlight to our minds, conjuring up the warm images of snow on the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston, deep greens and blues as the colours of choosing, and moonlight ladies singing rockabye to 'Sweet Baby James.'" Surprised? Argerich, 75, is widely considered one of the world's best, if reclusive, pianists. For nearly two decades, she largely shunned solo performances, playing almost exclusively with orchestras and chamber ensembles, until a sold-out recital at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2000. "I was surprised. I didn't think I was entitled," Argerich said of learning she had won the award. Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle hailed Pacino as being humble about his long and storied career that has seen him perform in some 100 films and plays, including "The Godfather," "Scarface, "Sea of Love," "Heat" and "Scent of a Woman". "His gift, for all the inspiration and intensity that he brings to his roles, is that he lets us into what his characters are feeling," Obama said. (AFP)

Al Pacino, James Taylor receive Kennedy Center Honors