Dionne Warwick Says She's 'Thrilled' to Receive Kennedy Center Award: 'So Honored' (Exclusive)

The singer tells PEOPLE she's still dreaming of winning an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony too

Dionne Warwick isn’t ready for retirement just yet!

“It's still a bunch of fun. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing it," she tells PEOPLE at the Postcards from Brazil, Volume 2 Release Party in Burbank, California on Monday. "When it becomes a job, that's when you won't see me anymore.”

Warwick, 82 — who has sold more than 100 million records during her 60-year career — also opened up about being honored by the Kennedy Center for her lifetime achievement status.

“It’s about time,” the singer jokingly adds to PEOPLE. “I'm thrilled. I really am. I'm very excited about it. I feel so honored to be honored by the Kennedy Center.”

Related: Dionne Warwick Once Scolded Snoop Dogg and Tupac Over Misogynistic Lyrics: 'We Got Out-Gangstered'

Warwick — who performed “That’s What Friends Are For” alongside her granddaughter Cheyenne Elliot at the event Monday — also revealed that despite boasting five Grammys, she still has her sights set on other awards.

“There's still the Oscar, the Emmy, the Tony, not necessarily that order,” she tells PEOPLE.

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As for the best career advice she's ever received, Warwick says simply that it's to “be who I am."

"I can't be anybody else," she adds. "I don't want to be anybody else.”

Related: Dionne Warwick Says She'll 'Be Dating Pete Davidson Next' in Hilarious Tweet 

Speaking to PEOPLE in December 2022, Warwick opened up about other aspects of her life and revealed that while dating was no longer a priority she still wasn’t ready to close that chapter entirely.

"Everybody needs companionship," she said. "Let's not be crazy. However, it is not my priority right now. When I feel the need to have company, I know where to go and who to call."

One person that's unlikely to be is Leonardo DiCaprio. In September 2022, Warwick jokingly commented on the rumor that the Oscar winner, 48, does not date women over the age of 25.

"I just heard about Leonardo DiCaprio's 25-year rule. His loss," she posted about the actor via X. "You don't know what you're missing."

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Read the original article on People.