The recipients of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors will be (back row, L-R) George Strait, KISS, Michael Crawford, (front row) Gloria Gaynor and Sylvester Stallone.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the selection of five recipients who for the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievement. The list, formally announced on August 14, 2025, features country legend George Strait, the rock group KISS, and Gloria Gaynor of “I Will Survive” fame, as well as Sylvester Stallone and actor-singer Michael Crawford. The news came several months after President Trump both belittled the institution while also pushing Congress to designate $250 million to overhaul the facility. “We’re restoring the Kennedy Center as the premier venue for performing arts anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world,” he said on August 13. The President said he would personally host the awards when the ceremony takes place on December 7. It will air later that month on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.
Strait, 73, is described in the announcement as the “King of Country Music.” He is the 12th best-selling album recording artist in the U.S. with sales of over 70 million copies. [The Kennedy Center’s announcement incorrectly described the performer’s earning “over 100 million RIAA certifications.”] Though he has been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards, his sole win was for Best Country Album in 2009.
The recipients of KISS’ honor will be the band’s 1973 founders Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Those four were also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. They have earned 14 Platinum and 30 Gold Albums.
Gaynor, who will turn 82 on September 7, has earned just two pop hits: 1974’s “Never Can Say Goodbye” (#9) as well as the mighty anthem, “I Will Survive,” which reached #1 during the height of the disco era in 1978. She reached the Hot 100 just one more time.
Stallone, who turned 79 on July 6, is the longtime star of two of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, Rocky and Rambo.
The British actor Crawford’s distinguished career included a role in the 1969 musical film, Hello, Dolly!. He is best known for his leading role in the smash stage musical The Phantom of the Opera, for which he earned both the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actor. He turned 83 on January 19.
Past recipients include Linda Ronstadt, Led Zeppelin, Dick Van Dyke, Eagles, Al Pacino, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, George Lucas, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Dolly Parton, Berry Gordy, Robert Redford, and dozens more.
Related: The members of Led Zeppelin were moved to tears at their 2012 Honors
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