The 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards were such a crossover event that left the audience wondering whether they had unintentionally watched the BET Awards. The show was hosted by Tyla, a well-known figure from around the world who not only presented but also won the award for Favorite Global Music Star.
The distinction between childish nostalgia and a cultural phenomenon was blurred by this year’s artists, which featured celebrities like SZA and Rihanna as well as viral hits like KATSEYE and Alex Warren. Let’s dissect the stunning performances, the red carpet, and the memorable winners of this year’s biggest Nickelodeon spectacle.
Memorable Tributes and Awards
Tyla made history as the first African host of the Kids’ Choice Awards and got the signature slime treatment, proving no one’s safe when you’re running the show before getting drenched in classic Nickelodeon green. The crowd went wild as she laughed it off like a pro.
Next came KATSEYE, who gave a fiery performance of “GNARLY” before being slimed in true Nickelodeon initiation fashion. The group took it like champs, earning cheers from the audience and solidifying their status as Gen Alpha’s new obsession.
MGK was slimed live mid-show, while Jack Black took two slime hits, solidifying his King of Comedy title with pure Nickelodeon chaos. Even Alex Warren, Salish Matter, and the Thundermans: Undercover duo got hit with the goo, sending the audience into a frenzy.
Rihanna — Icon Status Unlocked
While Rihanna looked like a queen when she wore a Fall 2025 MM6 Margiela coat to win the coveted Icon Award, adding sophistication and cultural influence to the orange carpet. It was like something from the BET Awards, in the greatest possible way. Her appearance was a celebration of longevity, excellence, and Black ancestry on a stage usually reserved for lighthearted mayhem.
Ariana Grande — The Wicked Win
Ariana Grande claimed her place as a beloved figure across generations with her incredible victory for Favorite Movie Actress and Favorite Song from a Movie (“Defying Gravity“). Fans and viewers alike agreed that she’s entering her silver-screen era—and performing it flawlessly—after her performance in Wicked, which also won Favorite Movie.
Sabrina Carpenter & SZA — Breakout Queens of the Night
Sabrina Carpenter was the evening’s undeniable standout. After winning three orange blimps—Favorite Album (Short n’ Sweet), Favorite Song (“Taste“), and Favorite Female Breakout Artist—she walked the stage as if she had been the headline act for years.
Sabrina Carpenter’s acceptance speech for the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards! 🧡
— Sabrina Carpenter Daily (@SCdailyupdates) June 22, 2025
pic.twitter.com/Adti2Exdyn
SZA on the other hand, shared Favorite Music Collaboration with Kendrick Lamar for “Luther” and won Favorite Female Artist. Everyone was reminded that sincere, emotional narrative and popular culture can coexist.
Bruno Mars & Stray Kids — Fan Favorite Powerhouses
Bruno Mars won Favorite Male Artist, demonstrating that his popularity among fans is still growing. In the middle of a show dominated by young people, his victory seemed to honor ageless genius. By winning Favorite Music Group, Stray Kids elevated K-pop to the forefront. Their triumph is only one more step in the globalization of Korean music, and based on the response of the audience, the kids are clearly cool with it.
Ice Spice — A Red Carpet Homage
Ice Spice drew recognition by combining the high fashion respect with the vibrant atmosphere of the Kids’ Choice red carpet in a bold homage to Beyoncé’s well-known look. It was a visual tribute to Black excellence, beauty, and legacy without using words.
The 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards reminded us that pop culture doesn’t have to play by the rules—it just has to reflect the moment. This year’s ceremony was less of a children’s program and more of a generational pulse check because of historic firsts, viral slime attacks, and red carpet looks that changed the definition of “showing up.” It was chaotic, magnetic, and unabashedly iconic. If this is the path of the next cultural wave, which is centered on happiness, community, and the vitality of the main character, then we should consider ourselves ready for the change.
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