Kennedy Center Announces Honorees: Winfrey, McCartney

By: Bill Waters
09/08/2010 11:24 AM ET

The Kennedy Center honorees include Oprah Winfrey and many celebrities. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. is honoring performing artists for their contributions to American culture.

The Honorees will be philanthropist Oprah Winfrey; musician former Beatles member Paul McCartney; dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones; country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard and Broadway composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. These winners were selected by the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees. The announcement was made on Tuesday.

“I love surprising people, I don’t like being surprised,” Oprah Winfrey said in a statement. “Releasing any kind of control over a show and allowing myself to sit there and be surprised is not going to be easy but I’m willing to do that.”

Winfrey is looking forward to celebrating this accomplishment. “When I’ve done them in the past for people, it has always felt a little bit like being bombarded with a love festival that is about you, and you know that’s gotta feel good,” stated Winfrey.

Creator and producer, George Stevens Jr. is responsible for the event. According to Stevens being a spectator is part of the fun for attendees. “We don’t put much of a burden on them,” Stevens stated. “You don’t sing for your supper. They are not asked to speak or perform. They simply receive the tribute of their colleagues and peers, which really makes it very different for them, and is part of what makes it so special.”

Follow Us