The 41st Kennedy Center Honors Award ceremony was held at the Kennedy Center Opera House located in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. on December 26, 2018. This prestigious event honors individuals for their lifetime artistic achievements. During this gala, Adam Lambert delivered a captivating performance in tribute to Cher, who was among the celebrated recipients. The American Idol alum performed Cher’s iconic 1998 hit “Believe”, moving the legendary pop diva to tears.
Amanda Seyfried set the stage for Lambert, who took the iconic “Believe,” a chart-topping sensation from Cher’s repertoire, and masterfully reimagined it as a haunting ballad. As the frontman for Queen and a former standout on American Idol, Lambert captured the audience with his stunning interpretation, leaving the guest of honor, Cher herself, visibly touched, even to the point of tears. With a full orchestra backing him, Lambert’s rendition was both emotionally charged and vocally impressive, offering a fresh emotional depth to the beloved lyrics.
Watch the performance here:
But the night was filled with more than one tribute to the music legend. Cyndi Lauper, another titan of the pop industry, delivered an electrifying performance of Cher’s beloved “If I Could Turn Back Time” from 1989, which drew a playful and surprised reaction from Cher herself.
The event also featured tributes from Whoopi Goldberg and the band Little Big Town, celebrating Cher’s monumental career.
Cher wasn’t the only performer to be surprised at the Kennedy Center Honors. Other distinguished recipients included the illustrious Reba McEntire, jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, composer Philip Glass, and the creative forces behind the musical “Hamilton”: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler, and Alex Lacamoire.
As an added treat, Kelly Clarkson and Kristin Chenoweth delivered performances in tribute to the country music icon Reba McEntire, adding to the night’s spectacular array of talent.
The 2018 Kennedy Center Honors was a night replete with tributes to legends. To relive the magic of these performances, visit the CBS YouTube channel for the full array of clips from the event.
