Dylan Mulvaney, a social media influencer who faced transphobic backlash earlier this year after entering a partnership with Bud Light received recognition and applause at the Streamy Awards an event celebrating social media creators.
Mulvaney was honored with the award for breakout creator at the Streamy Awards ceremony held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. In an emotional acceptance speech Mulvaney encouraged the audience to stand as allies for the LGBTQ+ community. They highlighted the similarities between trans individuals and social media stars, noting that both groups are often underestimated.
Referencing the controversy that arose when Bud Light distanced itself from a promotional partnership with them due to homophobic complaints Mulvaney called on the Streamy Awards attendees to use their influence to spread messages against hate. They emphasized the power of social media influencers in promoting positive messages and combating negativity.
Mulvaney humorously concluded their speech by stating If we can influence people to buy a $25 smoothie at Erewhon we can also do this. I'm going to go have a beer.
The 13th Streamy Awards hosted by YouTube personality MatPat was an energetic event. Notable nominees such as AMP, Ryan Trahan, Jay Shetty, Mikayla Nogueira, HasanAbi and Kai Cenat received enthusiastic support from their cheering sections in the ballroom. Attendees also brought older children to help them identify and connect with the social media stars present at the ceremony.
The Streamy Awards saw a departure from the typical showbiz convention of lengthy acceptance speeches filled with acknowledgments of agents, managers, and publicists. Instead most winners opted for short and heartfelt expressions of gratitude, often using variations of the phrase appreciate you.
However, amidst these succinct speeches there were poignant and sincere moments that resonated with the audience. TikTok star Chris Olsen recognized for his collaboration with Meghan Trainor, used his acceptance speech for short form content to speak openly about his personal journey. He shared that his life took a positive turn when he sought help through rehab and achieved sobriety at the age of 19. He emphasized the importance of self-care and encouraged others to take care of themselves as well.
The nonprofit organization Invisible People received the Elevate Prize for Social Good for its impactful coverage of chronic homelessness on its YouTube channel. Mark Horvath the founder of the organization, marked his 28th anniversary of overcoming homelessness and stressed the urgent need to address the affordable housing crisis that continues to contribute to homelessness. He emphasized the importance of connecting with communities to find solutions to this pressing issue.
The Streamer of the Year award was presented to Kai Cenat a Twitch personality. Cenat acknowledged the rollercoaster nature of the year and expressed his gratitude to God, emphasizing the role of faith in his journey. He spoke of feeling blessed and underscored the significance of faith in shaping his experiences.
These authentic and personal moments added depth and authenticity to the Streamy Awards, highlighting the real stories and challenges that influencers and individuals in the social media space navigate.
The Creator of the Year award was once again presented to YouTuber MrBeast marking his fourth consecutive win in this category. Interestingly MrBeast was not present at the event prompting Link one half of the popular social media duo Rhett and Link to humorously comment that if MrBeast continues to win awards, he should make an effort to attend the ceremony.
The Show of the Year award went to Challenge Accepted a daring YouTube series hosted by Michelle Khane. Khane highlighted the misconception that social media content is quickly and cheaply produced. Her show documents her unique challenges such as training as an astronaut rehearsing for a Broadway show, and learning to become a 911 dispatcher. Each episode lasting 15 to 35 minutes takes around 12 months to produce. Khane emphasized that the show production timeline and quality defy the notion that social media content lacks depth and effort.
Meghan Trainor was honored with the Rolling Stone Sound of the Year award for her catchy hit Made You Look. In her acceptance speech Trainor humorously mentioned that she wrote the song for her postpartum body, adding a personal touch to the recognition. Trainor is known for her Grammy Award winning Best New Artist title in 2016.
The Streamy Awards produced by Dick Clark Productions and Tubefilter celebrate achievements and excellence in the realm of social media and online content creation. The awards highlight the diverse and impactful content that creators produce across various platforms.