The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the recipients for the 45th Kennedy Center Honors on Thursday. Popular American actor and filmmaker George Clooney and singer Gladys Knight are part of the list of recipients in the 2022 edition of the award.
The Kennedy Center Honors are presented by the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center, who will be giving out the awards for the 45th edition in December this year.
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The center usually honors only five personalities every year for influencing American culture with arts. However, it is not unusual for groups, such as bands to receive the honors. In 2019, disco-funk musical band Earth, Wind & Fire was one of the recipients whereas popular children’s television show Sesame Street was given the honor in the same year.
One of the greatest American bands of all-time, Led Zeppelin was recipient to the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012 and The Eagles received the award in 2016.
President of the organization, Deborah F. Rutter recently said in an interview that her group has worked hard to include all performing arts. She also mentioned Grant’s music, which is being presented as a distinct genre to the honors in 2022.
Other recipients to the honor in the 45th edition are pop singer Amy Grant, venerable gospel, Pulitzer Prize winning composer Tania Leon and the rock band U2.
Following their inclusion in the recipients’ list, U2 released a statement saying they consider the US as a home away from home.
“In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America,” the statement said.
“We had big dreams then, fueled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again. But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honors. It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture,” it added.
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Tania Leon also released a statement after she was inducted in the list of recipients.
“Little did I imagine when studying in La Habana that life was going to grace me with such a distinction!” Leon said.
“My first thoughts went to my ancestors: they believed in my dreams, and what we lacked in material wealth, they made up for in spirit, encouragement, and support.”
The Kennedy Honors aims to raise money for the Kennedy Center, along with recognizing talent. The ceremony is scheduled to be held on December 4 and will be telecasted on CBS and streamed on Paramount +.