On Saturday evening, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, witnessed a grand artistic and entertainment event: the sixth edition of the Joy Awards 2026. Held under the umbrella of Riyadh Season and organized by the General Entertainment Authority in strategic partnership with MBC Group, the ceremony was attended by Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority. That night, Riyadh transformed into a magnet for international stars, as a gathering of the brightest names in film, drama, music, and sports, along with influencers and content creators, convened in an event that reflects the Kingdom's growing prominence on the global entertainment map.
The importance of the event and its cultural context
The JOY AWARDS ceremony is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to bolster the entertainment sector and establish Riyadh as a leading global destination for arts and culture. More than just an awards ceremony, the event serves as a platform for cultural exchange between East and West, evident in the diverse audience and the recognition of both international and Arab artistic luminaries. This event reflects the rapid development of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment infrastructure and its capacity to host and organize world-class events that rival major international festivals.
The ceremony has begun with dazzling international performances
The evening began with the stars walking down the lavender carpet, which has become a hallmark of the event, amidst extensive media coverage. Following the playing of the Saudi national anthem, global superstar Katy Perry opened the show with a spectacular performance that combined visual dazzle with masterful musical execution, setting the stage for a night full of surprises. The program also included performances by the band Bilopoulos, a historic duet between international star Robbie Williams and Saudi artist Ayed, and special musical performances by Angham and the band Il Divo.
Drama and Cinema Awards: Fierce Competition
The drama and film categories witnessed strong competition among the most prominent Arab works, and the results were as follows:
- In the television series category, Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al-Nemer the Best Actor award for his role in "Al-Marsa," while Syrian actress Karis Bashar won Best Actress for her role in "Taht Sabea Ard." The series "Salma" won Best Middle Eastern Series, while "Shari' Al-A'sha" won Best Gulf Series, and "Ashghal Shaqqa Jiddan" won Best Egyptian Series. Young actress Taraf Al-Obaidi received the Favorite New Face award.
- In the film category, actor Maged El Kedwany the Best Actor award, while actress Shujoun Best Actress. The film "Siko Siko" won Favorite Film, and director Omar El Mohandes won Best Director.
Music and Influencer Awards
In the music world, Angham Fadel Shaker received the Favorite Male Artist award . The song "Sahak El Shawq" won the Favorite Song award, and Mohamed Fadel Shaker was awarded the Newcomer in Music award. In the Influencers category, Rayan Al-Ahmari won the Favorite Male Influencer award, and Rateel Al-Shehri won the Favorite Female Influencer award.
Special honors and achievement awards
The ceremony was marked by moving tributes celebrating careers filled with giving:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to both the visual artist and former Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouk Hosny , and the international star Forest Whitaker , in recognition of their significant contributions to enriching the art scene.
- The Diamond Entertainment Makers Award was received by Nasser bin Ghanem Al-Khelaifi , Chairman of the Board of Directors of BeIn Group, for his outstanding role in the global media and sports industry.
- Person of the Year: It went to the international star Millie Bobby Brown .
- Honorary awards: These included honoring composer Amr Mostafa, director Ahmed Al-Doughji, artist Asala, and Saudi Saleh Al-Aridh.
Sports and human touches
Yassine Bounou winning the Favorite Athlete award and Saudi Arabian player Laila Al-Qahtani winning the Favorite Female Athlete award. The evening also featured a segment titled "In Memory of the Deceased," performed by artist Abeer Nehme, honoring the memory of those who have passed away, a touching and moving tribute that added a heartfelt dimension to the event.
The ceremony concluded with the "Ya Sham" segment, reaffirming the success of "Riyadh Season" in delivering an exceptional edition of the JOY AWARDS, cementing the Kingdom's position as a hub for creativity and artistic excellence on a global scale.
