Kennedy Center Honors 2023 – Performers, Songs & Presenters Revealed!

The 2023 Kennedy Center Honors special is airing this week and it marks the 46th celebration of the arts from the nation’s capital!

Billy Crystal, Queen Latifah, Renee Fleming, Dionne Warwick, and Barry Gibb are being honored at this year’s event, which was pre-taped earlier this month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

CBS will be airing the special on Wednesday (December 27) at 9pm ET/PT and we have the star-studded list of performers and presenters who will appear.

The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individuals whose unique contributions have shaped the way we see ourselves, each other and our world. Recipients have each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts. Whether in music, dance, theater, opera, motion pictures or television, each Kennedy Center Honoree has a unique place in the national consciousness and their influence has inspired audiences from all walks of life.

Keep scrolling for the full list of performers…

OPENING NUMBER
Host Gloria Estefan will perform “Conga” and “Get on Your Feet” with Sheila E

DIONNE WARWICK TRIBUTE

• FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Herbie Hancock
• LEAD STORYTELLERS: Debbie Allen
• PRESENTERS: Ego Nwodim, Clive Davis
• TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
  Mickey Guyton and The Spinners perform “Then Came You”
  Cynthia Erivo performs “Alfie”
  Chloe Bailey performs “Walk on By”
  Gladys Knight performs “Say a Little Prayer”

BILLY CRYSTAL TRIBUTE

• LEAD STORYTELLER: Rob Reiner
• PRESENTERS: Rob Reiner, Jay Leno, Meg Ryan, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Bob Costas
• TRIBUTE PERFORMER:
  Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marc Shaiman perform Billy medley
  Robert De Niro, Marc Shaiman and Lin-Manuel Miranda perform “It Had to Be You”

QUEEN LATIFAH TRIBUTE

• FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Rita Moreno
• LEAD STORYTELLER: Kerry Washington
• PRESENTERS: Van Van, Missy Elliott, Kerry Washington
• TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
  Yo-Yo, D-Nice, and RM Band perform “Latifah’s Had It Up to Here”
  MC Lyte, Monie Love and D-Nice perform “Ladies First”
  MC Lyte, Monie Love, Yo-Yo, Van Van and D-Nice perform “U.N.I.T.Y ”
  Rapsody performs “Just Another Day”
  The Clark Sisters perform “You Brought the Sunshine,” “Winki’s Theme,” “I Know Where I’ve Been”

RENEE FLEMING TRIBUTE

• FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Robert De Niro
• LEAD STORYTELLER: Christine Baranski
• PRESENTERS: Sigourney Weaver, Tituss Burgess
• TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
  Julia Bullock, Ailyn Pérez, Angel Blue, Nadine Sierra perform “Song to the Moon” with Patrick Summers
  Dove Cameron performs “The Light in the Piazza” with Patrick Vaccariello
  Tituss Burgess, Susan Graham, Christine Baranski, Rev. Stef & Jubilation Choir perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

BARRY GIBB TRIBUTE

• FORMER HONOREE PRESENTER: Amy Grant
• LEAD STORYTELLER: Gloria Estefan
• PRESENTER: Stephen Gibb
• TRIBUTE PERFORMERS:
  Little Big Town performs “Lonely Days”
  Michael Bublé performs “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”
  Ben Platt performs “Nights on Broadway” with Wayne Linsey
  Ariana DeBose performs disco medley of “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancin’” with Chloe Flower

Check out photos from the red carpet!