The Apollo Theater celebrates 90th anniversary at star-studded spring benefit with Usher, Babyface
Jun 12, 2024
The Apollo Theater is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year
NEW YORK (AP) —
The Apollo Theater
, a bastion ofBlack music and culture
and one of New York City's most storied venues, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.On Tuesday, the historic theater held its annual spring benefit — its largest annual fundraising effort, this year raising $3 million — with a star-studded event featuring Usher,
Babyface
, Big Daddy Kane, Jordin Sparks and more.Sparks opened the night with an impressive medley of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Then Kym Whitley emerged as a hilarious host, joking about the producer Babyface, who was being honored, arguing that he should now be known as “Grown-man-face, sexy-face, kiss-your-face.”
Later, she'd offer her own transformative story at The Apollo, sharing with the audience that it was on that stage where she first made an appearance as a stand-up comedian on television. “If you can make it at The Apollo,” she said, “You can make it anywhere.”
Speeches were given by a number of Apollo representatives, including
President/CEO Michelle Ebanks
, chairman of the board Charles Phillips, executive producer Kamilah Forbes as well as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.But it was the performances that really got the crowd on their feet. Dancers treated
Usher
to a choreographed medley of his own songs, from “Yeah!” to “Burn,” “Caught Up" to “Confessions Part II” and beyond.Usher, who just a few months ago wowed audiences with his own career retrospective while headlining
the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show
, was presented with the Icon Award.In his speech, he recalled watching
“Showtime at The Apollo”
with his late grandmother. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, someday I’m gonna make it to that stage,' and ‘hopefully one day, I’ll get a standing ovation,'” he said as everyone in the audience stood. “I stand before you humbled by your appreciation.”“You know, they say if you make it in New York, you can make it anywhere," he continued, referencing Whitley's comments from earlier. “Well, if you can make it to The Apollo, you can do anything.”
Fat Joe and Kwanza Jones, formerly winners of The Apollo's famed Amateur Night, came out and led the crowd in a singalong of Babyface's 1989 hit, “Soon as I Get Home.” They were tasked with introducing the super-producer, who had been presented the day prior with the inaugural legacy award at The Apollo Theater's 2024 Walk of Fame ceremony.
“I never imagined I would get this,” Babyface said
during Monday’s ceremony
. “I never saw myself actually, you know, being here at The Apollo. I didn’t want to perform here because I didn’t want to get booed, but I didn’t get booed,” he laughed. “I’m so glad that I came here for The Apollo.”On Tuesday, his acceptance speech mostly ditched the jokes to express gratitude. “To be here at The Apollo — what's so hard for me to find the words, because if I’m honest, I just never saw myself as like being on The Apollo stage. I was always the guy behind the scenes and writing songs for everyone else,” he said. “I am just in awe to be considered as part of this.”
“I'm just going to thank everybody. Normally I stand up here, I'm funnier than this,” he continued, “Usually, I am. But I'm just, I'm really just so taken by this, and I just want to thank you for the bottom of my heart. I appreciate it.”
The night ended with a series of singers coming out on stage to serenade Babyface with some of the most famous songs he produced:
Toxi Braxton
's “You Mean the World to Me,” Eric Clapton's “Change the World," Whitney Houston's “I'm Your Baby Tonight” and so on.Standouts included Karyn White doing her own “Superwoman,”
Johnny Gill
getting everyone out of their seats for his “My, My, My” and of course, Babyface himself closing the night out with “Whip Appeal.” They're called classics for a reason.More News
‘The Bachelor’ Alum Peter Weber Engaged to Pregnant Girlfriend Jadeyn Carr
Pilot Peter Weber is getting married! On Wednesday evening (November 11), the 35-year-old Bachelor alum announced that he recently popped […] The post ‘The Bachelor’ Alum Peter Weber Engaged to Pregnant Girlfriend Jadeyn Carr appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
DWTS’ Gleb Savchenko and OnlyFans Model Kaitlin Trujillo Break Up
Gleb Savchenko and Kaitlin Trujillo have had their last dance. The Dancing With the Stars pro confirmed his breakup with the OnlyFans model after nearly one year of dating. "I’m single," Savchenko...
Lionsgate Acquires Alma Har’el’s ‘Wet’ Starring Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion and More
Lionsgate has acquired the North America and UK distribution rights to “Wet,” director Alma Har’el’s latest film, from Fifth Season and 193, A Legendary Company. “Wet” features an all-star cast, which includes Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’Zion, Javier Bardem, Rosalia and Lukas Haas. Production is set to begin in 2027, while further details surrounding […]
‘Hard Art’ Asks Hard Questions About Daring to Be Abstract
MoMA PS1 brings together more than 40 Black artists in a search for their historical and artistic ties.
Anthony Clark, Comedian & ‘Yes, Dear’ Star, Dies at 62
Anthony Clark has sadly passed away. The stand-up comedian, who later became the star of the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear, […] The post Anthony Clark, Comedian & ‘Yes, Dear’ Star, Dies at 62 appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Keanu Reeves’ ‘Constantine 2’ Gets ‘Renewed Hope’ After James Gunn’s DC Exit, Says Director: ‘People at DC Were an Impediment to Us’
Following the news that James Gunn and Peter Safran are out as co-studio heads at DC, “Constantine” director Francis Lawrence is feeling a “renewed hope” about his long-awaited sequel to the “Hellblazer”-inspired 2005 action-horror. “Not that I want anybody to lose their jobs, so this is not like a schadenfreude kind of thing, but I […]
Can You Match The UBER Popular Movie To The US State It Takes Place In?
Which state does "Twilight" take place in? View Entire Post ›
Frankie Muniz Released from Hospital After Crash at Daytona Speedway, Speaks Out in New Statement
Frankie Muniz is speaking out after his crash. While practicing for a race on Wednesday (November 11), the 40-year-old Malcolm […] The post Frankie Muniz Released from Hospital After Crash at Daytona Speedway, Speaks Out in New Statement appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
‘The Lowdown’ Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: The Last Ride
Lee takes a road trip with his father and learns they might have more in common than he thinks.
The 16 Can't-Miss Holiday Gifts for Your Beauty Obsessed BFF
Your beauty-obsessed BFF probably has a closet (or two) filled with the best products on the market. From skincare and makeup to fragrance, she has probably tried everything out there at least...
Lionsgate Acquires Alma Har’el’s ‘Wet’ Starring Connor Storrie, Rebecca Ferguson, Odessa A’zion, Rosalía & Lukas Haas
EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has acquired North America and UK distribution rights to Wet, an audacious new film from award-winning writer-director Alma Har’el (Honey Boy, Lady in the Lake), from Fifth Season and 193, a Legendary Company. The film is set to star Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie, Dune and Silo star Rebecca Ferguson, Marty Supreme’s Odessa A’zion, […]
Frankie Muniz Speaks Out After Crash at Daytona International Speedway
Frankie Muniz's health is getting back on track. After being hospitalized Nov. 11 due to a driving accident in preparation for the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, the Malcom in the Middle...