Dionne Warwick Says There's Still an 'Awful Lot to Be Done' After 62 Years in Music: 'Just Have to Manifest'

Mar. 15, 2025

Dionne Warwick and Jennifer Hudson.Photo:Chris Millard/Warner Bros.Dionne Warwickis not slowing down her career any time soon.During a guest appearance on Thursday’s episode ofThe Jennifer Hudson Show, the legendary “Walk On By” singer, 82, said she still has work left to do after 62 years in the music industry.When hostJennifer Hudsonasked Warwick how she feels about “hearing all of your accomplishments,” the five-time Grammy award-winner responded, “I haven’t done ‘em all yet.“After hearing her reply, a surprised Hudson asked, “What would you say is left to be done?““Oh my heavens, there’s an awful lot to be done,” Warwick responded. “Yeah, there is. I just have to put ‘em in order. And manifest them.“Dionne Warwick makes an appearance onThe Jennifer Hudson Show.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.Warwick, who started off singing gospel music as a young girl, also shed some light on what she has believes has led to her long and successful career.“Being at the right place at the right time,” she began. “Being around the right people. And having confidence in what my Heavenly Father gave me.““It kind of all meshed together and became whatever this is,” Warwick added, with Hudson jumping in, “An icon! A legend.“Dionne Warwick onThe Jennifer Hudson Showon Nov. 30, 2023.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.Earlier this year, Warwick collaborated with fellow music iconDolly Partonfor the first time after the 77-year-old country star sent her a song she wanted her to record.“And then she sent me another song, the one that we’re going to be doing as a duet. It’s a gospel song called ‘Peace Like a River.’ She wrote it,” said Warwick duringan appearance onTheTamron Hall Showin January. “I am very excited about this, I really am. I’ve done so many duets over the years, but this one’s gonna be very special.“Warwick and Parton have a unique connection that dates back to 1992 when Warwick’s cousin,Whitney Houston, recorded a version ofParton’s 1974 ballad,“I Will Always Love You,” for her 1992 filmThe Bodyguard.“She had a presence that is still very much with us. Her music, her sound, her voice, that is her legacy,” Warwick said of the late Houston, who died in 2012.During Warwick’s interview on Thursday, she also acknowledged another new first, her upcoming Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement on Dec. 3.“I’m thrilled about it,” Warwick shared. “I’m very very excited to be recognized for these 62 years I’ve been in this industry making music.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In September, she joked to PEOPLE aboutwhat she thought of the honor. “It’s about time,” she said.On her career, Warwick added, “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.”

Dionne Warwick and Jennifer Hudson.Photo:Chris Millard/Warner Bros.

Chris Millard/Warner Bros.

Dionne Warwickis not slowing down her career any time soon.During a guest appearance on Thursday’s episode ofThe Jennifer Hudson Show, the legendary “Walk On By” singer, 82, said she still has work left to do after 62 years in the music industry.When hostJennifer Hudsonasked Warwick how she feels about “hearing all of your accomplishments,” the five-time Grammy award-winner responded, “I haven’t done ‘em all yet.“After hearing her reply, a surprised Hudson asked, “What would you say is left to be done?““Oh my heavens, there’s an awful lot to be done,” Warwick responded. “Yeah, there is. I just have to put ‘em in order. And manifest them.“Dionne Warwick makes an appearance onThe Jennifer Hudson Show.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.Warwick, who started off singing gospel music as a young girl, also shed some light on what she has believes has led to her long and successful career.“Being at the right place at the right time,” she began. “Being around the right people. And having confidence in what my Heavenly Father gave me.““It kind of all meshed together and became whatever this is,” Warwick added, with Hudson jumping in, “An icon! A legend.“Dionne Warwick onThe Jennifer Hudson Showon Nov. 30, 2023.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.Earlier this year, Warwick collaborated with fellow music iconDolly Partonfor the first time after the 77-year-old country star sent her a song she wanted her to record.“And then she sent me another song, the one that we’re going to be doing as a duet. It’s a gospel song called ‘Peace Like a River.’ She wrote it,” said Warwick duringan appearance onTheTamron Hall Showin January. “I am very excited about this, I really am. I’ve done so many duets over the years, but this one’s gonna be very special.“Warwick and Parton have a unique connection that dates back to 1992 when Warwick’s cousin,Whitney Houston, recorded a version ofParton’s 1974 ballad,“I Will Always Love You,” for her 1992 filmThe Bodyguard.“She had a presence that is still very much with us. Her music, her sound, her voice, that is her legacy,” Warwick said of the late Houston, who died in 2012.During Warwick’s interview on Thursday, she also acknowledged another new first, her upcoming Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement on Dec. 3.“I’m thrilled about it,” Warwick shared. “I’m very very excited to be recognized for these 62 years I’ve been in this industry making music.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.In September, she joked to PEOPLE aboutwhat she thought of the honor. “It’s about time,” she said.On her career, Warwick added, “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.”

Dionne Warwickis not slowing down her career any time soon.

During a guest appearance on Thursday’s episode ofThe Jennifer Hudson Show, the legendary “Walk On By” singer, 82, said she still has work left to do after 62 years in the music industry.

When hostJennifer Hudsonasked Warwick how she feels about “hearing all of your accomplishments,” the five-time Grammy award-winner responded, “I haven’t done ‘em all yet.”

After hearing her reply, a surprised Hudson asked, “What would you say is left to be done?”

“Oh my heavens, there’s an awful lot to be done,” Warwick responded. “Yeah, there is. I just have to put ‘em in order. And manifest them.”

Dionne Warwick makes an appearance onThe Jennifer Hudson Show.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.

Warwick, who started off singing gospel music as a young girl, also shed some light on what she has believes has led to her long and successful career.

“Being at the right place at the right time,” she began. “Being around the right people. And having confidence in what my Heavenly Father gave me.”

“It kind of all meshed together and became whatever this is,” Warwick added, with Hudson jumping in, “An icon! A legend.”

Dionne Warwick onThe Jennifer Hudson Showon Nov. 30, 2023.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.

Earlier this year, Warwick collaborated with fellow music iconDolly Partonfor the first time after the 77-year-old country star sent her a song she wanted her to record.

“And then she sent me another song, the one that we’re going to be doing as a duet. It’s a gospel song called ‘Peace Like a River.’ She wrote it,” said Warwick duringan appearance onTheTamron Hall Showin January. “I am very excited about this, I really am. I’ve done so many duets over the years, but this one’s gonna be very special.”

Warwick and Parton have a unique connection that dates back to 1992 when Warwick’s cousin,Whitney Houston, recorded a version ofParton’s 1974 ballad,“I Will Always Love You,” for her 1992 filmThe Bodyguard.

“She had a presence that is still very much with us. Her music, her sound, her voice, that is her legacy,” Warwick said of the late Houston, who died in 2012.

During Warwick’s interview on Thursday, she also acknowledged another new first, her upcoming Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime artistic achievement on Dec. 3.

“I’m thrilled about it,” Warwick shared. “I’m very very excited to be recognized for these 62 years I’ve been in this industry making music.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In September, she joked to PEOPLE aboutwhat she thought of the honor. “It’s about time,” she said.

On her career, Warwick added, “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.”

source: people.com