The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has unveiled the honorees for its 46th Kennedy Center Honors, set for Dec. 3 in Washington, D.C. Music icon Dionne Warwick is among the five recipients to be celebrated at the annual event.
Highlighting notables across entertainment fields who’ve had lifetime artistic achievements, the 2023 class also includes Queen Latifah, Billie Crystal, Renée Fleming, and Barry Gibb.
“I’m exceptionally happy to be honored by the Kennedy Center. It’s very exciting to be recognized for my contributions to the music industry for the past 60 years,” Warwick stated.
What an honor! Thank you @kencen!
🥰🥰🥰🥳🥳🥳 https://t.co/5bUDF7y6lF— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) June 22, 2023
Kennedy Center President, Deborah F. Rutter, said, “This year’s slate represents an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms and demonstrated remarkable tenacity and authenticity in becoming an original. Each of them has explored new terrain, stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world.”
“The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes artists who have made profound contributions to the cultural life of our nation. Soulful songstress Dionne Warwick has blazed a trail with her signature voice, scintillating presence, and trove of hits that has become a soundtrack of inspiration for generations of artists and audiences,” added Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein.
Gloria Estefan, who was honored by the Kennedy Center in 2017, will be hosting the special for the third time. The upcoming star-studded ceremony will be executive produced by Done+Dusted and will be broadcasted on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The exact time of the broadcast has not yet been announced.
Warwick had her decades-spanning career chronicled in Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, which aired on CNN and its platforms, before moving to Max (previously known as HBO Max).
Following the release of her 2019 album, She’s Back, Warwick has stayed active with output, including the Chance the Rapper-assisted “Nothing’s Impossible” and “Power In The Name” with Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs & Harmony and Nomad.
Warwick has collaborated with Dolly Parton for “Peace Like a River” and also released “I Kneel,” a song featuring gospel singer Donnie McClurkin and her son, Damon Elliott, who is an Oscar-nominated songwriter and producer.
Watch the video for Dionne Warwick’s “I Kneel” featuring Donnie McClurkin and Damon Elliott below.