George Clooney and Irish rock band U2 were among the celebrities honored Sunday at the Kennedy Center, the most prestigious cultural award in Washington, in the presence of President Joe Biden, AFP reported.

Several Hollywood stars and Washington dignitaries also celebrated the careers of soul great Gladys Knight, Cuban-born conductor and songwriter Tania Leon and evangelical gospel singer Amy Grant at the 45th annual gala, AFP writes.

Joe Biden and his wife Jill, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff, attended this ceremony in the great cultural center of the American capital, which was avoided by former President Donald Trump, who is very unpopular in the world of American culture. during its term or.

A host of stars took to the Kennedy Center stage to pay tribute to Sunday’s honorees, who earlier attended a private reception at the White House with Biden and select guests, the day after a State Department dinner attended by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

The gala concert will be broadcast on American TV channels on December 28.

George Clooney: It’s an honor

This year, the 61-year-old Oscar-winning actor George Clooney and his wife Amal, a lawyer specializing in the protection of human rights, were expected on the red carpet. The “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Batman and Robin” star, who has directed and produced several films, declared himself an honorary member.

“Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, I never imagined that one day I would be sitting on the balcony of the Kennedy Center Honors,” he said in a news release. Along with other incredible artists, it’s an honor.”

Gladys Knight, 78, who has been called the “queen of soul music”, said she was “boundlessly emotional”. “The Kennedy Center’s commitment to the arts is unprecedented, and I am deeply grateful,” she added.

U2 have sold over 170 million albums worldwide

Singer and philanthropist Bono and his band U2, who have sold 170 million albums worldwide, were honored for such iconic songs as ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, ‘Desire’ and ‘With or without you’.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for music for her work “Stride”, Tanya Leon, 79, is known for her innovative and powerful compositions that combine classical music and Cuban rhythms, as well as chamber music.

Amy Grant, 62, was the first female Christian singer to receive a platinum record and six Grammy Awards. She became the first Christian music star to be recognized by the Kennedy Center. She said she “never in her wildest dreams” thought she would win the award.

“Over the years, I’ve seen many of my heroes honored by their fellow artists, always moved by the ability of movies and music to bring us together and bring out the best in us,” she said. “Thank you for expanding the circle for all of us.” (source news.ro)