Bette Midler, Lorne Michaels Among 2021 Kennedy Center Honorees

The Kennedy Center signaled a return to its annual awards show—rescheduled and reworked last year, due to Covid-19—by announcing its latest round of honorees Wednesday: Bette Midler, Lorne Michaels, Justino Diaz, Berry Gordy and Joni Mitchell.

Bette Midler, the singer and actress who is known for her role in movies like “First Wives Club” and “Hocus Pocus” and best-selling record, “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Lorne Michaels, the creator and long-time producer of “Saturday Night Live.”

Justino Diaz, the Puerto Rican operatic bass-baritone who has sung in over 400 performances and performed with 11 opera companies throughout his life. Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label and the “Motown Sound” which brought up talent like The Jackson 5, Diana Ross and the Supremes.

Joni Mitchell, a singer-songwriter with multiple Grammy Awards known for songs like “Chelsea Morning” and “Big Yellow Taxi. ”The 44th Kennedy Center Honors is expected to return to its hallmark program at the Kennedy Center Opera House in December, following a reimagined 43rd Kennedy Center Honors show in June, in which filming had to be spread out over a week due to Covid-19. The Kennedy Center Honors began in 1978 and celebrates a select number of artists annually for their performing arts contributions to American culture.

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