Reba McEntire was among the honorees last night at the Kennedy Center Awards

 

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“I’ve been here three times before tonight. Once for Dolly, once for Loretta [and] Carol Burnett, once for Lily. And I sat right over there and I thought, ‘Wow, how many people have been in this room?’ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I know that I was born an entertainer to help heal hearts—by singing, by acting, by letting people laugh. I love to help people with their problems when they come into a concert. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I hope that they dust their problems off their feet and come in and have a good time, recharge their batteries, and when they leave they can pick their problems up that are just a little bit lighter when they go home. That’s what I was supposed to do in this life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m not a political person, but being here, going back to this building in Washington, D.C., I respect and I honor the people who took their time to help us, to make this country bigger, better, for all the people across the United States—east and west, north and south. Thank you all if you’ve had any part to do with that. Thank you all very, very much. Because we’re here to entertain. We’re here to make you laugh, to make you smile. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And if that heart hurts, hopefully the songs that we sing, that we were moved by when we heard them the first time, by the time we sing them and it touches your heart, hopefully it touches you enough to make a difference. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I am very proud of this. This moves me beyond words. I’m very honored to be a part of this class, and a part of this idea that started many, many years ago. Thank you for this honor. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Thank you for our friendship. And thank you for all the friends that I’ve made, and all the years that I’ve gotten to be a part of the Kennedy Center Honors. Thank you all with all my heart.”—2018 #KCHonors recipient @Reba ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Photo by @tsalazar.

A post shared by The Kennedy Center (@kennedycenter) on Dec 2, 2018 at 1:13pm PST

and so was Cher.

 

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That moment. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This year’s #KCHonors recipients united onstage as the curtain rose for last night’s wonderful evening of star-studded tributes. We can’t wait to share every incredible performance with you Dec. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on @cbstv! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Back row: #TommyKail, #LinManuelMiranda, @ablankenbuehler, and @alacamoire, receiving their special #KCHonors for @hamiltonmusical Front row: @wayne.shorter, @cher, @reba, @philipglassmusic ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ? @scottsuchman

A post shared by The Kennedy Center (@kennedycenter) on Dec 3, 2018 at 6:55am PST

Little Big Town performed a tribute to the 70s icon

 

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Tonight was absolutely epic. Singing for @cher at The Kennedy Center Honors was a dream. Congrats to all the honorees tonight. We love you Miss @reba. Happy to be there and watch your incredible tribute. #legends ? @reid_long

A post shared by Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) on Dec 2, 2018 at 7:49pm PST

and were dying to meet their Idol but it didn’t happen at the show…instead they actually ran into her later at the airport while in their PJs.

 

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We REALLY wanted to meet @cher last night since we had the honor of singing for her. It seemed it was never gonna happen. Well, it finally did- at the airport, after we were in our pj’s. ??? She was so down to earth and lovely. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day celebrating the arts. @kennedycenter #honors

A post shared by Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) on Dec 3, 2018 at 6:30am PST

Little Big Town at least were in their jammies that is…unless Cher sleeps in that dress (which honestly I wouldn’t put it past her)