The third edition of one of the region’s biggest award ceremonies, Joy Awards 2023, brought Arab and international artists, directors, athletes and social media influencers on Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh.
As part of the Riyadh Season activities, popular faces from across the entertainment industry gathered at the Bakr al-Sheddi Theater in Boulevard Riyadh City.
Celebrities included Georgina Rodriguez, US Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, Egyptian actress Yusra, US actor Mel Gibson, Hollywood director Michael Bay and Moroccan football player Achraf Hakimi.
Moreover, Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri, Syrian actor Bassel Khaiat, Syrian actress Karess Bashar, Egyptian star Ahmed Helmy, and his wife Mona Zaki, took part. Also, Rania Youssef, Laila Elwi, Karim Abdelaziz, were among the stars that gathered in Riyadh for a night to remember.
The Joy Awards ceremony began with the national anthem of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a dazzling performance that won the admiration of the audience.
Lebanese television presenter Wissam Breidy, after that, appeared and started welcoming the stars.
The stars were competing for several categories including Best Film, Best Female Actress and Best Male Actor in a TV series and Film, Best Female Athlete and Best Male Athlete.
Who’s who at the awards
The artist Ahmed Helmy, director Marwan Hamed, director Peter Mimi, and producer Sadiq Al-Sabah compete for the award for the favorite film in cinema.
Also, competing for Joy Awards’ Best Actress in Cinema award were Mona Zaki, Menna Shalaby, Asmaa Abulyazeid, Hend Sabry,
The arts play an important role “in every aspect of life,” renowned Egyptian actress Mona Zaki said. She added that she was grateful for the recognition and encouragement Saudi Arabia is providing the industry.
Hollywood actress Sofia Vergara, who won ‘Person of the Year,’ dedicated her award to Saudi and Arab women “who are building a better future for all women.”
Meanwhile, Saudi actress Helda Yassin received the award for Favorite Rising Star in a TV series.
Ahmed Ezz, Karim Abdel Aziz, Ahmed Helmy and Tim Hassan competed for the best actor in cinema.
Competing for the Joy Awards Best Song of the Year were Wegz, Elissa, Assala, Nancy Ajram, and Saad Lamjarred.
Angham, Nancy Ajram, Elissa and Assala were competing for the Best Singer of the Year award.
Amr Diab, Rashed Al-Majed, Majed Al-Mohandes, and Abdul-Majid Abdullah were competing for Joy Awards Best Singer Award last year and the Best Rising Singer.
Ashraf Al-Hakimi, Mohammed Al-Owais, Salem Al-Dosari and Yazid Al-Rajhi were competing for the Player of the Year award.
Hind Sabri, Hoda Hussein, Nadine Nassib Njeim, and Elham Ali were competing for the best actress award for TV series.
On the other hand, competing for the JOY AWARDS Award for the best actor in a TV drama for the past year, the stars Ahmed Makki, Basil Khayyat, Qusay Khouli, Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj,
Competing for the awards for best actress in TV drama, Saeda Rahma Ahmed, Nour Al-Nabawi, Madiha Ahmed, and Hilda Yassin.
The Joy Awards was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. It is part of Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program that aims at positioning the Kingdom as a tourist destination as well as diversifying cultural, social and entertainment activities.
The awards ceremony featured exciting musical sets by Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram, Nigerian singer Rema who gave a surprise performance, popular Saudi singer Rashed al-Majid, and Egyptian rock band Cairokee.
