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Without Trump, Kennedy Center honors Lionel Richie and Gloria Estefan
WASHINGTON - With the notable absence of President Donald Trump, the Kennedy Center on Sunday celebrated singers Lionel Richie and Gloria Estefan, rapper LL Cool J, television producer Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade with honors for the arts.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2017 Kennedy Center Honorees: https://t.co/2UJHOjHQnf. ???? John Filo/CBS #KCHonors @CarmenDances @llcoolj @TheNormanLear @LionelRichie @GloriaEstefan pic.twitter.com/Xo1c0sNd9R
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 3, 2017
Help us welcome @LionelRichie, our final Honoree on the red carpet tonight! #KCHonors https://t.co/2UJHOjHQnf pic.twitter.com/nKVFchr2AE
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 3, 2017
The awards, known as the Kennedy Center Honors, are considered the top recognition in the country for artists across a variety of fields, and the annual event's importance is usually highlighted by a White House reception with the president and the first lady.
Not this year.
The White House said in August that Trump and his wife, Melania, would not attend the performance so that honorees could enjoy it "without any political distraction." The White House reception was also canceled after some of the honorees said they would boycott it.
A subtle undercurrent of displeasure with Trump, a Republican who entered office in January, and his policies underlined a reception at the State Department on Saturday night ahead of the awards show.
"Art transcends borders, cultures, politics," actress Julie Andrews said. "This event gives us an opportunity to step away from divisive discourse and appreciate excellence in art that has been created for everyone."
All of the recipients expressed joy over receiving the awards.
"I've never been more inspired," hip hop artist and actor LL Cool J, 49, who stars in the television show "NCIS Los Angeles" told Reuters. "It's a reminder that art matters." He said Trump's presence would have been a distraction.
The Kennedy Center Honors Class of 2017. Truly Honored to be sharing this special moment with this group of extraordinary people. Congratulations to my fellow honorees!!! #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/N6K6cxAOGb
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) December 3, 2017
Put the work in. Dream huge dreams. Put some more work in. Keep the faith. Praise GOD. Adjust. Dream some more. Put some more work in. Repeat. And we don’t stop!!!! If I can do it You can do it.. @kencen #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/drKj4DwL6R
— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) December 2, 2017
Singer and songwriter Richie, known for hits such as "Three Times a Lady," "Say You, Say Me," and "All Night Long," said he was proud. "Never thought in my life I'd lose my voice talking too much about how excited I am about being here," Richie said.
Singer and songwriter Estefan, 60, who was born in Havana, Cuba, said she was thankful Trump chose not to attend. "Whenever something becomes more about the controversy than the actual achievements of the people that are receiving the award, it kinda dampens it for everybody."
“There are no mistakes, just challenges.”—@CarmenDances from the #KCHonors red carpet https://t.co/4rMG84eCTE pic.twitter.com/Tee8cmpATf
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 3, 2017
De Lavallade, 86, an actress and dancer, said: "I'm just most proud that I've reached this far."
Television producer and writer Lear, 95, who is famous for producing the hit comedy "All in the Family" as well as "Maude," "Good Times," and "The Jeffersons," said it felt great to become a Kennedy Center honoree.
"It probably feels the same as it might have felt at 80. Everything else does," he quipped. Lear said he was not upset that Trump chose not to attend. "It wasn't a hand I needed to shake."
The show will be broadcast on CBS on Dec. 26. —Reuters
