2017 Kennedy Center Honors | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

The 40th Kennedy Center Honors is airing tonight on CBS and we have all the details about the star-studded presentation.

This year, the five honorees are actress, dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, hip hop artist LL Cool J, TV writer and producer Norman Lear, and musician and record producer Lionel Richie.

The event was pre-recorded on December 3 and features a full lineup of performers and presenters.

Tune into CBS tonight (December 26) at 9pm ET to catch the full special!

Click inside for the full list of performers and presenters at tonight’s Kennedy Center Honors…More Here! »

President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will not be in attendance at the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on December 3.

The White House released a statement in which the president offered his congratulations to the five honorees – Carmen de Lavallade, Gloria Estefan, LL Cool J, Norman Lear and Lionel Richie – and said he doesn’t want to be a “political distraction.”

“Each year, the Kennedy Center honors the careers and achievements of artists who have helped shape cultural life in the United States with a weekend that includes celebrations and events,” the statement read. “The award recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions in the arts and the positive change they have made all over the world.”

“The President and First Lady have decided not to participate in this year’s activities to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction,” the statement continued. “First Lady Melania Trump, along with her husband President Donald J. Trump, extend their sincerest congratulations and well wishes to all of this year’s award recipients for their many accomplishments.”