Highlights of The 2017 People’s Choice Awards

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The stars stepped out onto the People’s Choice Award’s red carpet last Wednesday to witness a night of fun, fashion, and talent recognition. Just like the rest of the country, Valley was watching we have the highlights from another lovely awards season evening.

From the moment Joel McHale strolled onstage with six babies in tow, it was clear that the 2017 People’s Choice Awards would be one for the books. The host of the 43rd annual event kept the tone light and fun as he cracked jokes and poked fun at Hollywood’s finest roundup of artists and celebrities. Held in the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the ceremony was broadcast in 150 countries.

Jennifer Lopez was the first winner of the night, taking home the Favorite TV Crime Drama Actress award for her role as Harley in “Shades of Blue.” This was the actress’s eighth nomination for a People’s Choice Award. In her acceptance speech, Lopez remarked that she was so lucky to play such a strong female role.

“I need to thank NBC… for bringing this very provocative and powerful show to mainstream television,” says Lopez.

Another standout feminist of the evening was Blake Lively, who won for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress for her role as Nancy in The Shallows. This was her fifth nomination and first win. While accepting her award, Lively reminded women to not allow anyone to limit them.

“Thank you for sending a message to Hollywood that people want to hear stories about women, and we want to hear your stories,” says Lively. “Whether it’s social media, your iPhone, whatever, tell your stories, now more than ever. You need to be heard. You are valuable, and no one can limit you.”

Other winners included Kevin Hart, who took home his third People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actor for his role as Ben in Ride Along 2, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who won his second consecutive People’s Choice Award for the Favorite Premium Series Actor category for his role as Spencer on HBO’s “Ballers.” Priyanka Chopra took home her second People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic TV Actress for Alex in “Quantico.” Robert Downey Jr. took home the award for Favorite Action Movie Star for Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War.

On the music side of things, featured performers included Fifth Harmony, who took home the award for Favorite Group, and Blake Shelton, who won Favorite Album. In his acceptance speech, Shelton gave a shout out to Gwen Stefani for being the “hottest date” at the event.

Justin Timberlake won the awards for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Song, “Can’t Stop the Feeling.”

No one could dispute that Ellen Degeneres was the big winner of the night. The recent Medal of Freedom recipient broke the record for being the winner of the most People’s Choice Awards in history, taking home multiple awards, including Favorite Daytime TV Host and Favorite Animated Movie Voice for Finding Dory, bringing her People’s Choice Award collection to an even 20.

“I mean, 17, I get it. 18, sure. 19, I can see that, but 20 is outrageous,” joked the comedian in her acceptance speech.

Taking home the award for Favorite Humanitarian was Tyler Perry, who was recognized for donating millions to a wide variety of causes. The owner of the Tyler Perry Foundation took action to aid natural disaster victims, supported civil rights causes, provided clean water through the Charity Water foundation, and rebuilt homes and churches, among countless other acts of humanitarian service. Perry has even been known to contact individuals whose stories he sees on local news to help in whatever way he can.

Along with the Favorite Humanitarian Award comes $100,000 to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice, and Perry decided to give the money to the Global Medical Relief Fund.

In his acceptance speech Perry said, “What I have found and what has been so important to me right now is that, as I look at the state of the world and the state of our country and everything that is going on, it is so important that we know that, no matter how dark it gets, we all have to be light for each other.”