Barbra Streisand Receives Kennedy Center Honors
Barbra Streisand embodies icon and legend; she’s an esteemed multi-platinum recording artist, actress, producer, director and philanthropist who turned 81 on Monday (April 24). Streisand has won multiple accolades throughout her illustrious eight-plus decades, such as two Oscars, five Emmys, ten Golden Globes and eight Grammy awards as well as two special Grammy awards plus an Emmy award and special Tony award in 1970 – making her one of only three entertainers who has won all four categories simultaneously.
Recently, Streisand received the National Endowment for the Arts Medal from President Obama. At this year’s star-studded Kennedy Center Honors she was recognized alongside actor Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones and choreographer/dancer Twyla Tharp (Beyonce was present to pay their respects). Other performers like Beyonce also came out to pay their respects.
The event took place at the Kennedy Center Opera House and was videotaped for later telecast on CBS. Due to limited time on air, many changes were made during live viewing that resulted in several speeches being cut or shortener and music numbers edited out from final broadcast.
One of the evening’s most unforgettable moments occurred early on when a video was shown of Streisand greeting then-President George W. Bush at the White House and him giving her a kiss on both cheeks before giving back a smooch in return. This awkward exchange caused laugher from all in attendance at Opera House.
All the honorees had an unforgettable time at Caroline Kennedy’s legendary event hosted by George Stevens Jr. The show was produced by George Stevens Jr. with Nick Vanoff collaborating to co-create it; George produced its inaugural gala from 1978 through 2014.
The Kennedy Center Honors are established to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions in performing arts throughout their lives, such as Frank Sinatra, Leonard Bernstein and Broadway actors Robert De Niro and Bette Davis. Other honorees have included comedian Bob Hope, musician B. B. King, actress Elizabeth Taylor as well as Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners. It’s one of Washington’s only red carpet events attracting stars from around the globe; The Boeing Company serves as exclusive underwriter of both events.