Gloria Gaynor, 82, was among the artists honored at this year’s unconventional Kennedy Center Honors, an announcement that completely stunned her. Upon learning she was selected by the Kennedy Center board, Gaynor told People, “I was in shock. I was literally in shock. Are you serious with me?”
She continued, “I mean, really, it’s so wonderful to be counted among all these other great artists, and with all of their accomplishments. I’m blessed.”
Gaynor, the iconic voice behind “I Will Survive,” was the only female artist chosen this year to receive the distinguished Medal of Honor.
She was honored alongside a group of prominent male figures, including actor and director Sylvester Stallone, Broadway and West End star Michael Crawford, the rock band KISS, and country music legend George Strait.
Gaynor spoke to People on the red carpet before the Kennedy Center Honors, describing her meeting with the president the day before as “wonderful.” The president had welcomed this year’s honorees to the White House.
“It was wonderful. It was, I mean, like the third or fourth time meeting him,” the disco singer shared. “I’d met him before, and he’s always very personable and very pleasant.”
She told red carpet reporters that Trump said he chose her because he “believed that my song had done so much for so many people,” though he didn’t specify the exact reason.
Earlier this year, when announcing the 2025 honorees, President Trump praised Gloria Gaynor as “one of the most revered singers of the American disco era.”
The president’s affinity for disco is well-known. He previously requested the Village People to perform at his inauguration festivities this year and often played their song “Y.M.C.A.” at campaign rallies and significant presidential events.
“‘I Will Survive’ is an unbelievable song,” Trump said of the singer’s 1978 chart topper. “I’ve heard it, you know, like everyone else here, thousands of times. And it’s one of those few that get better every time you hear it.”
“Nobody can sing it like her. And that’s an honor,” he added. “So, Gloria Gaynor, thank you.”
Gaynor’s 1978 disco hit “I Will Survive” is a historic sensation. It is her biggest single, remaining one of the best-selling singles in history with over 15 million copies sold out of the 53 singles she has released across 20 studio albums.
Gloria Gaynor shared the origins of her song with People, explaining that when she first encountered the lyrics, they resonated with her as an anthem because she was recovering from spinal surgery and wearing a back brace.
“ I knew that it would do that for anybody that was going through, not just a physical struggle, but any kind of a mental, emotional struggle.
I believed that it would help them and spur them on to victory and encourage them to make it through whatever they were struggling with,” she added.
Months before being selected as a Kennedy Center honoree, Gaynor generated significant buzz in a May interview with Metro due to her unexpected answer to a question about common misconceptions people have about her.
“The biggest misconception about me? Hmm,” she said, taking a long pause. “It may be dangerous to say this, but that I’m a feminist. People say it to me, ‘And since you’re a feminist…’ Um, no. Not really. I love men.”
“I grew up with five brothers, and I love men,” she continued. “I love men who know who they are and are strong enough to take their place but also strong enough to recognize a woman’s strengths and who are able to allow her to exercise those strengths and realize that we are to be partners and not opponents.”
