Gladys Knight, a prominent voice in the 60s through to the 90s and one of the foundational voices in American music, was recently honored with one of America’s highest honors – the National Medal of Art. She was among other renowned music personalities honored by President Joe Biden at the White House, including Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling, and Bryan Stevenson.
Gladys, clad in a graceful pink suit amplified with a reader glass and an up-do hairstyle, spread out her arms and embraced President Biden as he placed the medal on her. This enviable honor is a recognition of her exceptional talent that has positively impacted musical genres in America and beyond.
The ceremony occurred on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in an East Room in the White House and was watched live by many.
The legendary soul singer-cum-Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is among the pioneering voices of the ‘golden age.’ She rose to fame with her hit singles, including “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
According to the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts, “the National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and patrons by the United States Government.”
The Atlanta-bred songstress is one of America’s greatest singers of all time. In 2022, she was honored for her lifetime artistic successes and achievements at the 45th Kennedy Center Honors.
“To be honored as a Kennedy Center Honoree is among the highlights of my career. I stand here with my fans, my family, my friends, my team, and my faith in accepting such an amazing distinction. It is dedicated to all those who paved the path for me to be able to accomplish the wonderful blessings I’ve been able to receive. The Kennedy Center’s commitment to the arts is unparalleled and I am so very grateful for this moment.” Gladys said.
Last year the 78-year-old legend partnered with Cineflix Productions to share her life stories through a scripted mini-series. She will executive produce the series through her company – Empress of Soul Productions.
