For the first time in its 46 year run, the People’s Choice Awards will dedicate a category to ‘Middle Eastern Social Media Stars’. The People’s Choice Awards are one of the most popular entertainment and pop-culture awards, hosted by E!, streaming exclusively on OSN.
This year, they have nominated eight social media influencers from across the region, all of which spoke out about their nominations.
Syrian comedian and actor Amr Maskoun
Amr Maskoun said: “I thought that my graduation was going be the only highlight of 2021 but apparently it’s not, I am literally speechless and deeply grateful. Being nominated for the Middle Eastern Social Media Star means a lot to me, and being a self-made content creator getting nominated for this award is a great achievement for me.”
Kuwaiti style icon and fashion influencer Ascia
Ascia said: “This last year has been game changing for creators – and in one of the toughest years of my career, it means the world to have been recognized and nominated! I’m so thankful to the wonderful community we’ve created together online that has made it possible.”
Saudi Arabian fashion and style influencer Fozaza
Fozaza said: “It’s always a blessing and a reward in itself to be recognized and acknowledged for your passions, especially in the Middle East. I’m very grateful to be nominated for the People’s Choice Awards mainly because the people are the ones I do this for every day. Giving me the chance to be the audience’s lens into the beauty of the Arab world.”
Lebanese fashion guru and lifestyle influencer Karen Wazen
Karen Wazen said: “I’m so proud that there’s a category celebrating Middle Eastern voices. I’ve been such a fan of the People’s Choice Awards for years and to be nominated is already a win for me.”
Emirati storyteller Khalid Al Ameri
Khalid Al Ameri said: “Since we started our journey of entertaining people on social media our goal has always been to build bridges between different parts of the world, to bring people closer together, and to show the world that there is more that makes us similar than makes us different. Just being recognized and nominated by the People’s Choice Awards on the other side of the world is an achievement in itself, and lets us know that we are on the right track, that our work is making a difference.”
Egyptian Instagram sensation and beauty influencer Logina Salah
Logina Salah said: “It isn’t about winning, but being nominated reminded me of why I started in the first place. I thank myself for not giving up and thank you for seeing it.”
Iraqi YouTube sensation Noor Stars
Noor Stars said: “It is an honor to be nominated for such an award, I know it won’t have been possible without my fans and the people who believed in me and I thank them all for that.”
Bahraini filmmaker Omar Farooq
Omar Farooq said: “I’m happy to be nominated for this category in the People’s Choice Award. Social Media in the MENA region has been growing rapidly and it is good to see that this is being recognized by global awards. I hope content creators in this region get more recognition as we have some of the most creative content coming out from the MENA region.”
The official voting window is from 27 October to 17 November. Fans can vote up to 25 times per day, per category, per method (voting website and Twitter)
The 2021 People’s Choice Awards will be broadcast on Wednesday 8 December, starting with 2021 People’s Choice Awards: Live From E! at 03:00am KSA and the ceremony at 05:00am KSA.
