who is being honored at the kennedy center
For the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, the artists being honored are George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and the rock band KISS.
Who is being honored
These are the 2025 honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors:
- George Strait – Country music legend often called the “King of Country.”
- Sylvester Stallone – Actor best known for the Rocky and Rambo film franchises.
- Gloria Gaynor – Disco icon famous for “I Will Survive.”
- Michael Crawford – Stage and screen actor, renowned for originating the title role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and in the West End.
- KISS – Iconic American rock band known for theatrical live shows and makeup.
Quick context
- This is the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors, held in December 2025 in Washington, D.C.
- President Donald Trump is hosting the 2025 ceremony and previously announced this honoree lineup in August 2025.
Fast facts table
| Honoree | Main field | Why they’re notable |
|---|---|---|
| George Strait | Country music | “King of Country,” decades of hits and major influence on modern country. | [5][7][9]
| Sylvester Stallone | Film | Star and creator of the *Rocky* and *Rambo* franchises. | [1][3][5][9]
| Gloria Gaynor | Music | Disco and soul singer, best known for “I Will Survive.” | [3][5][9][1]
| Michael Crawford | Theater / film | Originated the title role in *The Phantom of the Opera* and has a long stage career. | [5][9][3]
| KISS | Rock music | Legendary rock band recognized for their makeup, staging, and arena anthems. | [9][1][3][5]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.