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Must-See Moments From the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors
Get the inside preview on America's top cultural awards show, airing Dec. 23
Kiss members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss (standing) and Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor and Michael Crawford (seated) were recognized for their achievements in the performing arts during the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Jonathan Thorpe/CBS
The Kennedy Center was abuzz on Sunday night for the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors. President Donald Trump presided over the festivities, which honored actor Sylvester Stallone, 79, Tony Award–winning stage actor Michael Crawford, 83, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, 82, country music artist George Strait, 73, and the rock band Kiss. Trump delighted in his role as the evening’s host, acknowledging the event as “one of the most important evenings in the American cultural realm.”
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While some things were different, including a showy new set, redesigned medallions presented to the honorees and the president hosting the event, the general format of the show remained the same. In keeping with tradition, the honorees didn't know who was going to show up to salute them until showtime. That’s part of the fun, seeing their faces light up when their famous friends step onto the stage. And this year, while Hollywood star power was noticeably dimmed, the audience didn’t seem to mind — their enthusiasm for Trump was on full display. The gala performance will air at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 23 on CBS and Paramount+, but in the meantime, here’s what everyone is talking about:
President Donald J. Trump hosts the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Mary Kouw/CBS
President Trump shakes things up by hosting
President Trump, who did not attend the event during his first term, walked the red carpet with first lady Melania Trump to pose for photos and answer questions prior to the show.
He kicked things off by being the first person to take to the stage. “This is the first time a U.S. president has ever hosted this phenomenal event,” said Trump, who was elected as chairman of the Kennedy Center earlier this year. Trump spoke highly of the five honorees, calling them “really amazing people … personally, I love them all … and this is a very exciting evening." The president mostly kept the focus on the honorees, touting a $257 million plan to renovate the historic performing arts venue. The Kennedy Center “is going to be bigger and better and more beautiful than ever before,” he said.
Sylvester Stallone, President Donald J. Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Tracey Salazar/CBS
Sylvester Stallone honored by his brother Frank and actors Kurt Russell and Garrett Hedlund
After the president introduced Stallone in a pre-recorded message (as he would all the nominees), Kurt Russell, 74, took to the stage to speak about his friend Stallone, his costar in the 1989 action movie Tango & Cash. “I wondered out loud, ‘Where in the hell did they find this boxer who is such a great actor?’ ” Russell recalled thinking when he first saw Rocky. Reminiscing upon their time working together on a movie set, Russell said that he “treated me like his little brother. He took care of me.” Calling Stallone an “Italian stallion,” Russell said that “the story of Sly Stallone is the story of the American Dream.” Stallone’s brother Frank Stallone, 75, also appeared onstage to salute the actor in an emotional tribute. “You’ll always be my hero, and I love you so much,” said Frank, fighting back tears. “We went from nowhere to somewhere at the Kennedy Center with the president of the United States, and God has blessed us.” Actor Garrett Hedlund, who costars with Stallone in the TV series Tulsa King, said Stallone was “a man who I’ve admired from afar as long as I can remember.… You are literally a hero, Sly.” He called Stallone a “humble soul who truly cares about everyone.”
Michael Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, President Donald J. Trump, and First Lady Melania Trump at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Tracey Salazar/CBS
Michael Crawford saluted by Kelsey Grammer and Broadway’s best
After Trump introduced Crawford as a “once-in-a-generation talent with an unbelievable voice, who defined a role that will live forever in Broadway history, and, frankly, in musical history," actor Kelsey Grammer, 70, appeared onstage singing, “Hello, Michael!” to the tune of “Hello, Dolly!” (Crawford is well-known for playing naive clerk Cornelius Hackl in the 1969 movie version of the famed Broadway musical, as well as his Tony Award–winning starring role in the stage production of The Phantom of the Opera.) Grammer spoke of Crawford’s “sheer commitment to excellence” and how he has “inspired generations of performers.” In a powerful performance amplified by dramatic red lighting, singers David Phelps and Laura Osnes performed the title song from Phantom.
George Strait gets starriest salute
George Strait is “just incredible.," said the president in his introduction. “George never chased the spotlight; the spotlight chased him.” Vince Gill, 68, appeared onstage and said that “with George, what you see is what you get.” The country music community showed up for Strait in perhaps the segment of the evening with the biggest star power: Brooks & Dunn performed Strait’s signature hit “Amarillo by Morning,” Miranda Lambert belted out “Run” and Gill sang “Troubadour.”
Debbie Winans performs at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Mary Kouw/CBS
Gloria Gaynor’s music lights up the night
Of disco queen Gaynor, Trump noted “we will always find inspiration in her three simple words: I will survive.” Singer Elle King said Gaynor’s voice is one “that transcends more than just words … turns pain into power. She is herself, and nothing connects to an audience more than authenticity and truth.” King went on perform Gaynor’s hit anthem, “I Will Survive,” under a giant disco ball with gold-lame-clad backup dancers. Social media influencer and singer Montana Tucker called Gaynor a “musical culture shifter who took the mantle and had your finger on the nerve of an entire genre;” Deniece Williams, 75, sang a medley, and Jason Crabb, Chris Blue and Debbie Winans performed songs from Gaynor’s gospel album.
Cheap Trick performs at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Mary Kouw/CBS
Kiss brings everyone to their feet in finale
As is customary to save the biggest musical group for a splashy grand finale, the evening culminated with the tribute to rock band Kiss. Trump's introduction to the band said they “pushed the boundaries of rock ’n’ roll with spectacular, full-scale productions, elaborate costumes, extensive makeup and explosive pyrotechnics.” He added, “Congratulations to a great rock ’n’ roll institution.”
Garth Brooks, 63, sporting his traditional honoree rainbow medallion, which he received in 2021, said how the music of Kiss was “speaking to the youth of the world.” He performed the band’s classic hit “Shout It Out Loud” and encouraged everyone to get on their feet. Magician Criss Angel said the band’s “profound effect on pop culture has stood the test of time.… (They) revolutionized rock music as we know it.” Angel said that when he was young, the group inspired him to “dare to be different.… The magic of Kiss is the magic of love.” The band and its music “made me feel that anything is possible.” And in a somber moment, original lead guitarist Ace Frehley, who died in October after he was injured during a fall, was remembered with a single red guitar emanating smoke in the center of the stage (Frehley was known for having a guitar with smoking special effects). Marcus King performed “Beth,” and Cheap Trick ended the night with a rousing performance of “Rock and Roll All Nite" that brought the audience to their feet, while dancers with Kiss-esque painted faces danced and shook their long hair in the aisles for the grand finale.
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