Dubai United Arab Emirates (CNN)– The Joy Awards night, which took place in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Saturday, held many surprises for its viewers, including the singing of Egyptian singer Najat Al-Saghira in her first live appearance on stage in many years.
The Egyptian singer sang a clip from one of her iconic songs, “Eyes of the Heart,” and received a special honor from Turki Al-Sheikh, head of the Saudi Entertainment Authority, on a night full of honors for stars from the East and West, international and Arab, including Anthony Hopkins, actor and director Kevin Costner, as well as the Syrian artist. Mona Wassef, the Egyptian artist, media personality, and producer, Esaad Younes, and many other stars.
The ceremony was performed by a group of singing and music stars, including Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab, Gloria Gaynor, and Bebe Rexha, and it was concluded by Egyptian artist Amr Diab.
One of the most prominent honorees at the Joy Awards ceremony was the Egyptian artist Adel Imam, who won the “Leader of Arab Art” award. The honor was received by his sons Rami and Mohamed, who reassured the audience in a statement to MBC on the lavender carpet before the start of the ceremony, that the “Leader” is in good health, Rami said that his father “decided to devote himself to family life with us and the grandchildren,” and Muhammad confirmed that he sits with his grandchildren all the time.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was honored by Hopkins, Costner, music producer and composer Quincy Jones, Mona Wassef, Isaad Younis, Saudi actor Ali Al Midfa, and Saudi singer and composer Rabeh Saqr.
Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab were honored, and actress, producer, director and activist Eva Longoria won the “Person of the Year” award.
The “Entertainment Makers Honorary Award” was also won by director Zack Snyder, actor Zack Snyder, Indian actress Alia Bhatt, Kuwaiti artist Mohamed Al-Mansour, Lebanese singer Najwa Karam, Egyptian maestro Walid Fayed, and the makers of the Egyptian series “Under Guardianship.”
The rest of the Joy Awards 2024 were distributed, according to public voting, as follows:
– “Favorite Artist”: Asala.
– “Favorite Artist”: Ayed.
– “Favorite Actor”: in the films category: Karim Abdel Aziz.
– “Favorite Actress” in the Film Category: Nelly Karim.
– “Favorite Actress” in the series category: Rahaf Muhammad.
– “Favorite Actor” in the series category: Saad Aziz.
– “Favorite New Face” in the music category: Talal Salem.
– “Favorite New Face” in the series category: Walid Qahran.
– “Favorite series”: Crystal.
– “Favorite movie”: Sattar.
– “Favorite song”: “Yalil wa Alayin” by Al-Shami.
– “Favorite Athlete”: Onas Jaber.
– “Favorite Athlete”: Abdullah Al-Rabiah.
– “Favorite Influencer”: Ahmed Al-Qahtani, known as “Chong Bong”.
– “Favorite Influencer”: Bibi Abdel Mohsen.
