Dionne Warwick joked "it's about time" she was honoured by the Kennedy Center.
Dionne Warwick will be recognised by the Kennedy Center Honors
The 82-year-old musician is one of the names on this year's annual list, which recognises performers who have had an impact on American culture, and admitted she is "thrilled" to be among the stars who will be recognised at a ceremony on 4 December.
She told People magazine: “It’s about time. I'm thrilled. I really am.
"I'm very excited about it. I feel so honoured to be honoured by the Kennedy Center.”
The 'Walk On By' singer insisted she has no plans to retire because she still has a string of career goals, including a dream to win a clutch of awards to go alongside her five Grammys in order to secure EGOT status.
She said: “It's still a bunch of fun. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it. When it becomes a job, that's when you won't see me anymore.”
Of her career goals, she added: “There's still the Oscar, the Emmy, the Tony, not necessarily that order."
When it comes to all the advice she's been given over the years, Dionne said the best was to "be who I am".
She added: "I can't be anybody else. I don't want to be anybody else.”
Queen Latifah is also on the list for this year's Kennedy Center Honors and she recently admitted she was "humbled" to be recognised alongside the likes of Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb, opera star Renée Fleming, and 'When Harry Met Sally' actor Billy Crystal.
She said: "I’m humbled to be included in this incredible list of artists honoured by the Kennedy Center. When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told, ‘No’. No, you won’t be able to leave New Jersey. No, if you rap you can’t sing. No, singers can’t become actresses. No, actors can’t also produce. To now be recognised amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community."
Tagged in Barry Gibb Dionne Warwick Queen Latifah