Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, and Ariana Grande topped the winners list at the 2025 Kids’ Choice Awards, where Rihanna received the first ICON Silver Blimp.
The stars aligned — and got slimed — at the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, with Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, and Ariana Grande leading the list of winners during the star-studded ceremony held June 21 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
Sabrina Carpenter took home three signature Orange Blimp trophies, making her the night’s top winner. The Short n’ Sweet singer, who already scored a Grammy for the same album, won Favorite Female Breakout Artist, Favorite Album for Short n’ Sweet, and Favorite Song for the Hot 100 smash “Taste.”
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SZA followed with two big wins of her own: Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Music Collaboration for “Luther” with Kendrick Lamar, which held strong at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks.
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Ariana Grande also doubled up, winning Favorite Movie Actress for her role as Glinda in Wicked, and Favorite Song From a Movie for “Defying Gravity,” her duet with Cynthia Erivo from the same blockbuster.
The night’s most historic moment belonged to Rihanna, who became the first-ever recipient of the ICON Silver Blimp Award. Honored for her global impact in entertainment, beauty, and activism, she accepted the award from inside a magically recreated Smurf Village — and triggered a tidal wave of blue slime for good measure.
@rocnation Congratulations to @Rihanna ♬ original sound – Roc Nation
Jack Black also had a major night, picking up Favorite Movie Actor for A Minecraft Movie and receiving the King of Comedy award, which was presented by his Nacho Libre co-stars Ana de la Reguera and Héctor Jiménez.
The show was hosted by Tyla, who pulled double duty with a high-energy dance medley and a center-stage sliming to close the night. She also took home the Favorite Global Music Star award representing Africa.
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Other notable music wins included Bruno Mars for Favorite Male Artist, Stray Kids as Favorite Music Group, and Benson Boone as Favorite Male Breakout Artist. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco took home Favorite Viral Song for “Bluest Flame.”
On the TV side, The Thundermans: Undercover was crowned Favorite Kids TV Show, while XO, Kitty snagged Favorite Family TV Show. Kira Kosarin and Jack Griffo won for their roles on The Thundermans: Undercover, while Cobra Kai stars Xolo Maridueña and Peyton List were named Favorite Family TV Stars.
On the film front, Wicked won Favorite Movie, with Ariana Grande and Jack Black taking home top acting honors. Inside Out 2 won Favorite Animated Movie, and Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho won for their voice roles in Moana 2.
Live performances came from MGK, debuting “cliché” off his upcoming album Lost Americana, and girl group KATSEYE, who delivered “Gnarly” from their EP Beautiful Chaos. Both sets ended in classic Nickelodeon slimings.
Other celebrities in attendance or appearing included Malia Baker, Kylie Cantrall, Terry Crews, Victoria Monét, Young Dylan, Daniella Monet, and many more.
The Kids’ Choice Awards will encore on Nickelodeon and sister networks through June 24 and be available for streaming on Paramount+ starting June 22.
