Glitz and Glam at the White House: Biden Hangs with Crystal, Fleming, and Latifah
The White House was abuzz with stars last weekend, as US President Joe Biden welcomed a host of celebrities. Hollywood legend Billy Crystal (75), opera sensation Renée Fleming (64), and rap queen Queen Latifah (53) were just a few of the big names who dropped by, days before receiving the prestigious Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Two more honorees - singer Dionne Warwick (82) and Brit Barry Gibb (76), former leader of the Bee Gees - also paid President Biden a visit before the award ceremony.
Biden went all out in praising the talent of the five artists. He called Crystal an "American showman with a heart of gold," and hailed Latifah as a "gifted storyteller."
The Kennedy Center, known as the cultural heart of Washington, D.C., is the largest cultural institution in the city. Previous awards have been bestowed upon legendary figures like Meryl Streep, Aretha Franklin, Robert De Niro, George Lucas, Tom Hanks, and Sting. Last year, Hollywood star George Clooney, the rock band U2, and soul singer Gladys Knight were among the honorees.
Fact Bites:
- The Kennedy Center opens its doors for annual Lifetime Achievement Awards, having previously celebrated stars like Streep and Sting.
- This year's honorees include Crystal, Fleming, Latifah, Warwick, and Gibb.
- Biden praised Crystal, commending him as an "American showman with a heart of gold."
- The presidential visit was a time for Hollywood actor Crystal, opera diva Fleming, and rapper Latifah to bask in the president's praise before receiving their awards.
- Similar to Crystal, Warwick and Gibb also made an appearance before their ceremony appearances.
- The Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize exceptional artists across various fields, including film, music, and theater.
- Iconic stars like Queen Latifah, ranked among People Magazine's most influential celebrities, will grace the event.
- The Bee Gees' Barry Gibb and his family have left an indelible mark on American music and continue to inspire future generations.
Source:
Insight: The Kennedy Center Honors of 2024 recognized five trailblazers in the performing arts. These honorees were The Grateful Dead, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and the Apollo Theater. Although President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attended the ceremony, there's no mention of Biden directly paying tribute to the honorees in the provided sources. The event, however, was packed with performances and tributes from other artists, with Biden in attendance, but specific details around his participation are not available.
