Gladys Knight, a prominent voice from the 1960s to the 1990s and one of the foundational voices in American music, was recently awarded the National Medal of Art, one of America’s highest honors. She was among those honored at the White House by President Joe Biden, including Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling, and Bryan Stevenson.
Gladys, dressed elegantly in a pink suit with a reader glass and an up-do hairstyle, spread her arms and embraced President Biden as he bestowed the medal on her. This prestigious award recognizes her exceptional talent, which has influenced 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.