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KISS will be awarded the renowned Kennedy Prize this year. US President Donald Trump will personally hand over the band to the award as part of a gala on December 7th in Washington. In addition to KISS, actor legend Sylvester Stallone, Disco icon Gloria Gaynor, Country singer George Strait and the British actor Michael Crawford are also one of this year’s award winners: inside.
The award is considered one of the highest honors in the area of performing arts in the USA. She is awarded personalities who have made a special contribution to American culture through their life’s work.
The band members feel honored
Front man Paul Stanley spoke of “great pride” to accept the honor. “From our earliest days on, Kiss embodied the American ideal that everything is possible and that hard work pays off,” he said “TMZ”. Bassist Gene Simmons also explained: “Kiss is the embodiment of the American dream. We feel deeply honored.”
The recognition also attracts attention because Stanley had expressed significant criticism of Trump in the past. In 2021 he described Trump’s behavior after the lost presidential election as “dangerous for democracy”. Simmons also critically commented on Trump’s politics in interviews.
Tom Cruise rejects award
The gala in the Kennedy Center in the US capital has recognized artists every year since 1978. As the “Washington Post” reports, actor Tom Cruise is said to have rejected an award, officially due to overlaps in appointments. At first there was no statement from the management of the “Top Gun” actor.
It also caused a stir that Trump was jokingly suggested to be honored in the next year when the award winners were announced.