Joy Awards in Riyadh Celebrate 2024's Top Entertainment Achievements

The fifth edition of the Joy Awards took place at ANB Arena in Riyadh on Saturday, honoring top Arab and international stars. (SPA)
The fifth edition of the Joy Awards took place at ANB Arena in Riyadh on Saturday, honoring top Arab and international stars. (SPA)
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Joy Awards in Riyadh Celebrate 2024's Top Entertainment Achievements

The fifth edition of the Joy Awards took place at ANB Arena in Riyadh on Saturday, honoring top Arab and international stars. (SPA)
The fifth edition of the Joy Awards took place at ANB Arena in Riyadh on Saturday, honoring top Arab and international stars. (SPA)

The fifth edition of the Joy Awards took place at ANB Arena in Riyadh on Saturday, honoring top Arab and international stars. Hosted by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) under the chairmanship of Turki Al Al Sheikh, the event brought together prominent figures, celebrities, and guests from around the globe.

The ceremony kicked off with artistic performances, followed by the awards presentation. Notable winners included Syrian actor Samer Ismail, who received the award for Favorite Actor in the TV Series category, and Saudi actress Al Anoud Abdulhakim, honored as Favorite New Face in the Series category. The Favorite Egyptian Series award went to “Ne’mat El-Afokado", while the Favorite Gulf Series award was presented to “Shabab Al-Bomb 12”, accepted by Faisal Al-Issa.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Syrian artist Yaser Al-Azmeh, American actor Morgan Freeman, Italian musician Andrea Bocelli, Saudi filmmaker Abdullah Al-Muheisen, Kuwaiti singer Abdullah Al Ruwaished, and international composer Hans Zimmer.

The Favorite Actress in the Series category award went to Huda Hussein, while Hana Al-Zahed won Favorite Actress in Cinema. Egyptian actor Hesham Maged was named Favorite Actor in Cinema.

Sports awards recognized Salem Al-Dawsari as Favorite Athlete and Saudi mixed martial artist Hattan Al-Saif as Favorite Female Athlete.

A highlight of the evening was the Diamond Entertainment Industry Award, presented to the late Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen in honor of his poetic contributions. His son Prince Khaled bin Badr accepted the award on his behalf.

For the first time, the Most Popular Song award was shared by Egyptian singers Angham and Tamer Ashour. Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad was recognized for his outstanding contributions to fashion.

Other notable awards included Favorite Song for Majid Al-Mohandis and Favorite Influencer awards for Ahmad Al-Qahtani and Narin Beauty. Emerging Musical Talent was awarded to Saudi artist Rakan Al Sa’ed, while Matthew McConaughey was honored as the Personality of the Year.

The Joy Awards also celebrated industry veterans such as Mariam Al-Saleh, Ibrahim Al-Sallal, and several Gulf icons, recognizing their pioneering roles in entertainment.



Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish Get Rock Hall Nominations

This combination of photos show Trey Anastasio, from left, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. (AP Photo)
This combination of photos show Trey Anastasio, from left, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. (AP Photo)
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Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish Get Rock Hall Nominations

This combination of photos show Trey Anastasio, from left, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. (AP Photo)
This combination of photos show Trey Anastasio, from left, Mariah Carey, Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. (AP Photo)

Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish are some the 2025 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a list that also includes two sets of musical brothers who have had public feuds and recent reunions — the Black Crowes and Oasis.
The Hall revealed the list of 14 performer nominees Wednesday, including Bad Company, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, Soundgarden and the White Stripes.
Eight of the 14 nominees are on the ballot for the first time: Bad Company, the Black Crowes, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast and Phish.
Two candidates this year — Carey and Checker — have had powerful impacts on the charts and culture. Carey has 19 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, while Checker’s recording of “The Twist,” and subsequent “Let’s Twist Again” are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
Oasis was one of the dominant British acts of the 1990s, producing hits including “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Its sound was fueled by singalong rock choruses and the combustible chemistry between guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam, the band’s singer.
Their American equivalent is the Black Crowes, who mix Southern boogie, stuttering stomp, blues harmonica, glam rock, and ’70s harmonies starting with their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker.” For many years singer Chris Robinson and his brother, guitarist Rich Robinson, did not speak. One word appeared on the band's Instagram account after their inclusion in the Hall's list: “Humbled.”
Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” and went on to winning a Tony Award for “Kinky Boots.” OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop.
The 2025 Inductees will be revealed in late April, along with inductees entering the hall under three special committee categories: Musical influence, musical excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall.
Nominees will be voted on by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include “an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique.”
Last year, Mary J. Blige,Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton all were inducted.