The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors turned heads this year — not just for who received the accolades, but who was handing them out and how. For the first time in the awards’ history a sitting U.S. president, Donald Trump, personally hosted the ceremony and reportedly had a major say in selecting the winners. This year’s honorees included enduring names from rock, disco, country, and theatre: the legendary rock band KISS, disco diva Gloria Gaynor, and beloved actor‑singer Michael Crawford.
Traditional rainbow‑ribbon medallions were swapped for custom‑designed gold medals crafted by Tiffany & Co., emphasizing that this year’s Honors mark a new era for the institution. During Thursday’s Oval Office pre‑ceremony, Trump presented the awards — praising the artists for their cultural impact and calling them among the most influential in American entertainment.
Gaynor, the only woman among the music‑related honorees, admitted she was “in shock” when she learned she’d been chosen. Her 1978 hit “I Will Survive,” a song that resonated across decades with themes of empowerment and resilience, remains among the most iconic anthems in popular music. For her, the honor was deeply personal: the song once helped her during a difficult time after spinal surgery. Now, she says, it still stands as a message of hope for listeners facing any kind of struggle.
For KISS, the honor carried bittersweet weight. The band has evolved over decades, and the death last October of founding guitarist Ace Frehley added a somber note to the celebration. Yet surviving members emphasized that Frehley’s spirit endures — and that the recognition represents a nod to their lasting influence on rock music.
Michael Crawford, known chiefly for his stage persona in major productions like “Phantom of the Opera,” rounded out a diverse class — highlighting the broad range of artistic achievement celebrated by the Honors.
This year’s Kennedy Center Awards may mark a departure from tradition — but for many fans and recipients, it’s a reminder that timeless music and performance can transcend eras, politics and change.
—
Photo Credit: Blueee77 / Shutterstock.com