Riyadh, January 20, 2025 – The fifth edition of the prestigious Joy Awards took place at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, celebrating excellence in the entertainment industry across Arab and international platforms. Hosted by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) under the leadership of Chairman Turki Al Al Shikh, the event brought together a distinguished group of celebrities, industry professionals, and international luminaries, marking another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s growing prominence on the global entertainment stage.
The evening began with a spectacular series of artistic performances that captivated the audience, followed by the eagerly anticipated awards presentation. The ceremony honored an impressive roster of talent from the Arab world and beyond, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements across television, film, music, sports, and fashion.
Notable winners from the television category included Syrian actor Samer Ismail, who was awarded Favorite Actor in a TV Series for his remarkable performance. Saudi actress Al Anoud Abdulhakim was celebrated as the Favorite New Face in Series, a nod to her rising star power in the entertainment scene. The Favorite Egyptian Series award went to Ne’mat El-Afokado, while the Favorite Gulf Series award was given to Shabab Al-Bomb 12, with actor Faisal Al-Issa accepting the award on behalf of the production.
One of the evening's most moving moments came during the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Awards, which recognized several iconic figures for their extraordinary contributions to the arts. These prestigious awards were bestowed upon Syrian actor Yaser Alazmeh, American film legend Morgan Freeman, Italian music virtuoso Andrea Bocelli, Saudi filmmaker Abdullah Al-Muheisen, Kuwaiti singer Abdullah Al Ruwaished, and internationally renowned composer Hans Zimmer. These honorees were celebrated for their longstanding influence and legacy in the global entertainment and cultural landscape.
The night also highlighted the achievements of top actresses and actors, with Huda Hussein receiving the award for Favorite Actress in a TV Series and Hana Al-Zahed taking home the award for Favorite Actress in Cinema. In the male categories, Egyptian actor Hesham Maged was honored as Favorite Actor in Cinema. The sports world was equally celebrated, with Salem Al-Dawsari named Favorite Athlete and Saudi mixed martial artist Hattan Alsaif honored as Favorite Female Athlete.
A particularly poignant moment during the evening was the presentation of the Diamond Entertainment Industry Award to the late Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen, recognized for his profound contributions to poetry and the arts. The award was accepted on his behalf by his son, Prince Khaled bin Badr, in a heartfelt tribute to the late cultural icon’s enduring legacy.
For the first time in the award’s history, the Most Popular Song award was shared by two Egyptian superstars, Angham and Tamer Ashour, recognizing their immense popularity across the Arab world. Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad was also lauded for his exceptional influence on the global fashion industry, further solidifying his place as a cultural trailblazer.
Other notable accolades included Favorite Song, which went to Majid Al Mohandis, and Favorite Influencer awards, which were presented to Ahmad Al Qahtani and Narin Beauty. Saudi artist Rakan Al Sa’ed was awarded Emerging Musical Talent, while American actor Matthew McConaughey was named Personality of the Year, recognizing his immense global appeal and versatile contributions to the entertainment world.
The Joy Awards also took the opportunity to celebrate the trailblazing careers of entertainment veterans such as Mariam Al Saleh and Ibrahim Al-Sallal, along with a host of Gulf icons who have helped shape the region’s entertainment landscape. Their pioneering roles were acknowledged as part of the broader effort to support the burgeoning Saudi entertainment industry.
Overall, the Joy Awards underscored the cultural dynamism and creative growth of Saudi Arabia's entertainment sector, which continues to serve as a beacon for local and international collaboration. The event not only recognized the talent and achievements of individuals but also highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, diverse, and globally connected entertainment industry as part of its Vision 2030 goals.
