During the 30th Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C., which took place this weekend, recognized Diana Ross, Leon Fleisher, Brian Wilson, Steve Martin and Martin Scorsese for their contributions to American culture.

Their career achievements were praised by the United States President, George W. Bush,  as he received the visit of the five artist, before an evening of celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

"In the careers of these five Americans, we see the very definition of excellence and passion," President Bush said, according to Los Angeles Times.

The stars tribute will be aired on CBS on December 26, as it features appearances by Cameron Diaz, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Steve Carell, Ricky Jay, Kristin Chenoweth, Smokey Robinson, Jordin Sparks, Vanessa Williams, Ciara, Yolanda Adams, Yo-Yo Ma, Art Garfunkel, Lyle Lovett, Hootie & the Blowfish and the Rob Mathes Band, according to Variety.com.

Ciara performed I’m Coming Out during the tribute to Diana Ross, while Yolanda Adams sang Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) and Vanessa Williams also sang Touch Me in the Morning.

The honorees were cited for their excellence in the performing arts, such as dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television and they were selected by the Kennedy center's board of trustees.