Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell have both been awarded Kennedy Center Honors.
The singer-actress and Canadian icon both attended the ceremony in Washington D.C. to collect their prizes, which recognise a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts.
Other honourees included Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, Motown founder Berry Gordy and opera singer Justino Diaz.
President Joe Biden hosted a black-tie reception at the White House – a tradition Donald Trump did not uphold – before the honourees were celebrated at a four-hour gala event at the Kennedy Center.
Bette was celebrated with a medley from Billy Porter – who sang on the soundtrack to her 1996 movie, ‘The First Wives Club’ – music from the Broadway show ‘Hello Dolly!’, and Kelli O’Hara’s rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings, from the movie ‘Beaches’.
Goldie Hawn, Barbara Hershey, and Scarlett Johansson also gave tributes.
Meanwhile, Joni was feted with four performances: Brandi Carlile sang River, Brittany Howard performed Both Sides Now, Ellie Goulding delivered a rendition of Big Yellow Taxi, and Norah Jones took on The Circle Game and A Case of You.
Elsewhere during the evening, SNL cast members from throughout the decades celebrated Lorne, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson performed in honour of Gordy, and Carmen and Faust celebrated Justino’s achievements.
The show will be televised on December 22.
