It was a night of color, chaos, and celebration as the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards returned in full slime-slinging glory. The ceremony, held on Saturday, June 21, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, wasn’t just about surprise slime drops and celebrity appearances — it was about the fans. And the fans spoke loud and clear: SZA and Sabrina Carpenter were among the most beloved stars of the night.

The show was hosted by none other than global music sensation Tyla, who brought a wave of energy, style, and signature charm to the stage. Best known for her chart-topping hit “Water,” the South African star made history as she juggled hosting duties while also being crowned Favorite Global Music Star (Africa).

Musical Stars Take Center Stage

Two women clearly dominated the music categories this year. SZA, whose music continues to blend soul, R&B, and raw honesty, took home Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Music Collaboration for her hit “Luther” with Kendrick Lamar. It was a clear sign that her artistry continues to resonate across age groups and genres.

Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter swept multiple music categories, including Favorite Song for her breakout single “Taste,” Favorite Female Breakout Artist, and Favorite Album for Short n’ Sweet. Carpenter’s recent rise in the pop world has been nothing short of meteoric, and the love from young fans proves she’s firmly cemented in the spotlight.

Also making waves were Bruno Mars as Favorite Male Artist, Stray Kids for Favorite Music Group, and Benson Boone, who snagged Favorite Male Breakout Artist. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s “Bluest Flame” grabbed the award for Favorite Viral Song, reflecting its wildfire success on TikTok and beyond.

TV & Film Favorites

In television, Nickelodeon paid homage to its own universe with The Thundermans: Undercover being named Favorite Kids’ TV Show, with stars Jack Griffo and Kira Kosarin both winning in the Kids’ TV Star categories. Netflix’s XO, Kittywon Favorite Family TV Show, and Cobra Kai continued to reign with acting nods for Xolo Maridueña and Peyton List.

Over on the movie front, Wicked took home Favorite Movie, with Ariana Grande (Glinda) scoring Favorite Movie Actress and Jack Black (Steve, A Minecraft Movie) winning Favorite Movie Actor. Animated magic reigned with Inside Out 2 claiming Favorite Animated Movie, and Moana 2 swept the voice acting categories with Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho honored for their roles as Maui and Moana.

Internet Stars & Icons

The Kids’ Choice Awards also acknowledged the influencers shaping today’s youth. Mr. Beast and Salish Matter earned top spots as Favorite Male and Female Creators, while Ms. Rachel was named Fan Favorite Kids’ Creator for her wholesome and educational content. Gaming superstar IShowSpeed won Favorite Gamer, and the LOL Podcast took home the blimp for Favorite Podcast.

Between live performances, surprise slimings, and emotional wins, the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards brought the energy fans have come to love over the years. With Tyla leading the night as host and winner, and a mix of fresh faces and established stars claiming trophies, the event proved that pop culture is thriving — and it’s the kids who are running the show.

As confetti fell and the Orange Blimps were raised, one thing was clear: the future of entertainment is diverse, dynamic, and powered by young fans who know what they love — and aren’t afraid to vote for it.