Kennedy Center Honors 2017
The 2017 honorees are: American dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade; Cuban American singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan; American hip hop artist and entertainment icon LL Cool J; American television writer and producer Norman Lear; and American musician and record producer Lionel Richie.
The five recipients of the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors are seen here posing for a group photo following a dinner hosted by United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in their honor at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 2, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
From left to right back row: LL Cool J and Lionel Richie Front row, left to right: Carmen de Lavallade, Norman Lear and Gloria Estefan.
Click through the gallery to see more from the ceremony.
LL Cool J
LL Cool J seen Sat., Dec. 2, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
Honorees
2017 Kennedy Center Honorees singer Lionel Ritchie (L), TV writer Norman Lear (C) and Rapper LL Cool J chat among themselves at the conclusion of a gala dinner at the U.S. State Department, in Washington, D.C., on Sat., Dec. 2, 2017.
2017 Kennedy Center honorees
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L, standing) poses with 2017 Kennedy Center Honorees Rapper LL Cool J (R, standing) and (seated L-R) dancer, actress and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade and TV writer Norman Lear.
Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio Estefan pose for photographers.
Norman Lear
Kennedy Center honoree television writer and producer Norman Lear arrives with his granddaughter Zoe and wife Lyn Lear.
Deborah Rutter
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter and her husband Peter Ellefson pose for photographers.
Karolina Kurkova
Czech model and actress Karolina Kurkova poses for photographers.
Lynda Carter
Actor Lynda Carter arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Anthony Anderson
Actor Anthony Anderson is interviewed as he arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Jon Batiste
Musician Jon Batiste arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Renee Fleming
Opera singer Renee Fleming arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Busta Rhymes
Rapper Busta Rhymes arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Misty Copeland
Ballet dancer Misty Copeland arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Chaka Khan
Singer Chaka Khan arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Les Moonves and Julie Chen
CBS Corporation CEO Les Moonves (L) and his wife TV personality Julie Chen pose for photographers.
Quincy Jones
Musician Quincy Jones arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Julie Andrews
Singer and actor Julie Andrews arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Nicole Richie
Fashion designer Nicole Richie arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Eva Longoria
Actor Eva Longoria arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Senator Rand Paul
Senator Rand Paul and his wife Kelley Paul arrive for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Major Garrett
Major Garrett (L) arrives for the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Stella Abrera
Ballerina Stella Abrera (2L) and her husband arrive for the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
DMX
Rapper DMX (L) arrives for the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
LL Cool J
LL Cool J arrives for the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
2017 Kennedy Center Honors honorees
The five recipients of the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors pose for a group photo.