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Under a glittering Los Angeles sky, the 2024 People’s Choice Awards illuminated Hollywood on Sunday night, lighting up the stars of the year in a spectacular fanfare. It was a night of unbounded joy, nail-biting suspense, and victorious recognition, all against the backdrop of a vibrant city aglow with excitement. The big winners – Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, “Barbie” to name a few, became the stars of an unscripted Hollywood drama, their names etched into the annals of this year’s culture.

In an entertaining evening hosted by the charismatic actor Simu Liu, fans had an essential say as the most iconic figures of the year were valorized. The Hollywood Reporter illuminated Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” as the major gem of the awards night. It took home the statues for movie of the year and comedy movie of the year, demonstrating the impressive ability of cinematic storytelling to resonate with audiences.

“Barbie’s” talented leads Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were awarded female and male movie star of the year, respectively. Their performance in the 2023 blockbuster transcended those of Hollywood’s old guards like Tom Cruise, Chris Pratt, and Julia Roberts. “Barbie” further hogged the spotlight with America Ferrera winning “The Movie Performance of the Year.”

Laugh-out-loud moments invariably accompanied the night, with Jennifer Lawrence bagging “The Comedy Movie Star of the Year” for her role in “No Hard Feelings,” while Jenna Ortega basked in dramatic contrasts, seizing “The Drama Movie Star of the Year” for “Scream VI.” Transcending the boundary between fantasy and reality, the “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” prequel lifted the award for “Action Movie of the Year,” with Rachel Zegler shining as “The Action Movie Star of the Year.”

“Oppenheimer” ascended to compelling heights, scoring the award for “The Drama of the Year,” leaving in its wake contenders like “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Leave the World Behind,” and “The Color Purple.”

In the music category, Nicki Minaj ruled as the “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year,” while Beyonce emerged as “The R&B Artist of the Year.” Latin music fans saw Bad Bunny and Shakira hailed as male and female Latin Artist of the Year, with K-Pop sensation Jung Kook seizing “Male Artist of the Year.” Noteworthy was the fairytale rise of Ice Spice, heralded as “The New Artist of the Year,” while Taylor Swift added to her trove of awards, bagging “Female Artist of the Year,” “Pop Artist of the Year,” “The Concert Tour of the Year,” and “The Social Celebrity of the Year.”

Breathtaking on TV, “Only Murders in the Building,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “The Last of Us” were landmarks of excellence, with Pedra Pescal and Selena Gomez dazzling as the male and female TV Star of the Year. Reality television found its champion in “The Kardashians,” winning “The Reality Show of the Year” award. Laughter prevailed at the “Comedy TV Star of the Year” award, going to Jeremy Allen White for “The Bear.”

Sporting honors saw Travis Kelce of Kansas City Chiefs clutching “The Athlete of the Year,” further infusing the gravitational pull of football in the cultural zeitgeist.

The 2024 People’s Choice Awards served as a mirror of contemporary popular culture, reflecting the year’s acclaimed voices, stories, and moments. It was a recognition of the convergence of talent, creativity, and popular verdict, reverberating harmony between the industry and fandom. As the applause faded and the awards found their rightful winners, an empowering message was left behind: The stars may produce the content, but it’s the people who hold the power. The verdict of fandom truly held sway, demonstrating the astoundingly tenacious and vibrant facet of popular culture. And that, perhaps, is the most significant award of them all.