Billy Crystal and Queen Latifah look marvelous as they headline this year’s Kennedy Center Honors

By ASHRAF KHALIL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — You know you’ve made a cultural impact when Henry Kissinger quotes your own joke back to you. That’s what happened to Billy Crystal, one of five iconic artists selected for this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. The others selected for the lifetime artistic achievement award are rapper and actor Queen Latifah, opera singer Renée Fleming, 1970s music icon Barry Gibb and prolific hitmaker Dionne Warwick. Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter calls this year’s inductees “an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms.” All will be honored with the traditional gala celebration at Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 3.