Sabrina Carpenter emerged as the standout winner at the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards, clinching three of the coveted Orange Blimp trophies. The pop sensation was honored as the favorite female breakout artist, while her album Short n’ Sweet and the hit song “Taste” also took home top honors. Carpenter’s album, which dominated the Billboard 200 for four weeks, previously earned her a Grammy for best pop vocal album. Meanwhile, “Taste,” despite its edgy nature for the Kids’ Choice standards, soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The event, hosted by Tyla, was broadcast live from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on Saturday, June 21, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Tyla, who also won the favorite global music star, led the audience through a vibrant dance celebration, featuring the summer’s hottest tracks, and concluded the evening with the iconic sliming tradition.
Rihanna Honored with ICON Silver Blimp Award
Adding to the evening’s highlights, Rihanna was celebrated as the first recipient of the ICON Silver Blimp Award, acknowledging her significant contributions to entertainment, beauty, and activism. The pop and fashion icon accepted the award from the whimsical setting of Smurf Village, delighting the audience with a wave of blue slime.
SZA, Ariana Grande, and Jack Black were among the night’s double winners. SZA took home awards for favorite female artist and favorite music collaboration for “Luther,” her chart-topping duet with Kendrick Lamar. Ariana Grande was recognized as the favorite movie actress for her role as Glinda in Wicked and for the song “Defying Gravity” from the same musical, which also won favorite movie.
Celebrating Music and Film
Jack Black, known for his comedic prowess, won favorite movie actor for his role in A Minecraft Movie and received the King of Comedy award, presented by his Nacho Libre co-stars. Bruno Mars and Stray Kids received their first Kids’ Choice Awards, winning favorite male artist and favorite music group, respectively.
Musical performances included “cliché” by mgk and “Gnarly” by KATSEYE, both culminating in the show’s signature sliming. The evening also featured appearances by a host of celebrities, including Malia Baker, Kylie Cantrall, and Victoria Monét, adding to the event’s star-studded allure.
Full List of Winners and Highlights
The Kids’ Choice Awards, produced by Nickelodeon Productions and directed by James Merryman, will encore on various Nickelodeon platforms and be available for streaming on Paramount+. The production team, led by Ashley Kaplan and Guy Carrington, ensured a seamless and entertaining broadcast.
Here’s a quick look at some of the key winners from the night:
- Favorite Song: “Taste” – Sabrina Carpenter
- Favorite Album: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
- Favorite Female Artist: SZA
- Favorite Male Artist: Bruno Mars
- Favorite Music Group: Stray Kids
- Favorite Movie: Wicked
- Favorite Movie Actress: Ariana Grande
- Favorite Male TV Star (Family): Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai)
- Favorite Cartoon: SpongeBob SquarePants
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards once again showcased the vibrant intersection of music, film, and television, celebrating the artists and creators who continue to inspire and entertain young audiences worldwide. As the event continues to evolve, it remains a pivotal platform for recognizing the contributions of both emerging and established talents in the entertainment industry.
With its unique blend of entertainment and fan engagement, the Kids’ Choice Awards promises to return next year with even more surprises and memorable moments.
