Last night, CBS aired this year’s Kennedy Center Honors which recognizes those in the performing arts for a lifetime of achievement.
This year’s honorees included Cher, Reba McEntire, composer Philip Glass and jazz legend Wayne Short.
And, for the first time, the Kennedy Center honored a groundbreaking work of art: Hamilton. The blockbuster Broadway musicals creators – Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamoire – received special honors for their work.
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2018 Kennedy Center Honorees!
Tune in Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET as we celebrate these incredible luminaries during the #KCHonors broadcast on CBS: https://t.co/omAfV68lkU
John Paul Filo for @CBSTweet pic.twitter.com/4XNMO6ZQLQ
— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) December 2, 2018
Many spectacular performances were thrown down during the telecast, but it was the tribute to Oscar & Grammy winner, Cher, that left the audience wiped out.
Whoopi Goldberg, in a sequin dress perfect for the moment, took to the stage to offer spoken tribute to the goddess.
Little Big Town rocked a medley of “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” “I Found Someone” and “Baby Don’t Go;” the indomitable Cyndi Lauper laid down her take on “(If I Could) Turn Back Time” as well as dueting with Adam Lambert for a show-closing “I Got You Babe.”
But Adam Lambert’s intimate-to-soaring performance of Cher’s iconic “Believe” left us shook.
Set in an orchestral soundscape, Lambert turned the 1998 dance hit into an stunning, emotional pop anthem with diva-worthy vocals building to the American Idol alum’s signature high notes.
Cher took to Twitter after the telecast to express her feelings about the tribute.
“Tried 2 write Feelings About Adam Lambert Singing Believe In Words, but Cant seem 2,” Cher shared on Twitter. “When Your senses are Overwhelmed All Can you feel with your [heart].”
“I Was Shocked AND Over The MOON When Cindi (Lauper) came out Rocking the house,” the diva continued. “Shocked Because SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS IN LA, & Over The Moon Because My Friend CINDI Is One Of Our ‘Great’ Singers. When Adam & Cindi Sang Together It=Heaven. ‘Little Big Town’ Were Adorable, & Harmonies. Amanda Was Genuine & Dear & When Whoopi Came Out In ”Cher Outfit” She brought Down House.”
Tried 2 write Feelings About Adam Lambert Singing
Believe In Words,but Cant seem 2.When Your senses are Overwhelmed All Can you feel with your .
I Was Shocked AND Over The MOON When Cindi (Lauper) came out Rocking the house.
Shocked Because SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS IN LA,— Cher (@cher) December 27, 2018
& Over The Moon Because
My FriendCINDI Is One Of Our”Great”Singers
When Adam & Cindi Sang Together It=Heaven .
”Little Big Town”Were Adorable,& Harmonies.
Amanda Was Genuine,& Dear,& When Whoopi Came Out In”Cher Outfit”She brought Down House.— Cher (@cher) December 27, 2018
Lambert tweeted back, "It was a total honor, Cher!!!! You’re a goddess!"
It was a total honor @Cher!!!! You’re a goddess! https://t.co/Pvp2U1m6y3
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) December 27, 2018
(h/t CBS)
