People’s Choice Award Winners 2021 & Through The Years

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On 7th December 2021, the 47th People’s Choice Awards were held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

Attendees included Kim Kardashian, Halle Berry, Jeff Bezos, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Cardi B – three of which took home an award or two.

Not familiar with the People's Choice Awards? In short, the ceremony celebrates individuals within the entertainment industry and has been doing so ever since 1975.

Prior to the show, the general public votes on a range of categories, and winners are announced live at the event that airs to the public on E!.

Below, we run through all of the winners of the People’s Choice Awards 2021 – from the winner of the best album to the winner of the best drama television star – and take a look back at some of the best moments from previous ceremonies.

As usual, we will also be encouraging you to kickstart that creative project you’ve always wanted to produce and utilise Audio Network’s expansive selection of production tracks.

Photo Credit: https://ew.com/

People’s Choice Award Winners 2021: Movies

The Movie of 2021

2021 has been a great year for moviegoers, but, ultimately, Marvel’s Black Widow stood out as this year’s one to watch. Natasha Romanoff, we miss you already.

1. Black Widow – WINNER

2. Coming 2 America

3. F9: The Fast Saga

4. Dune

5. No Time to Die

6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

7. The Tomorrow War

8. Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The Comedy Movie of 2021

The likes of Eddie Murphy, Emily Blunt and Elmer Fudd have had us laugh out loud this year, but it was Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer that made us cry with laughter in the video-game inspired summer flick Free Guy.

1. Coming 2 America

2. Free Guy – WINNER

3. He’s All That

4. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

5. Jungle Cruise

6. Space Jam: A New Legacy

7. Thunder Force

8. Vacation Friends

The Action Movie of 2021

This year, films have been filled with car stunts, fight scenes and explosions galore, and it was Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings action that had our hearts thumping the hardest.

1. Black Widow

2. F9: The Fast Saga

3. Godzilla vs. Kong

4. No Time to Die

5. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - WINNER

6. The Suicide Squad

7. The Tomorrow War

8. Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The Drama Movie of 2021

We live for juicy dramas, and this year’s line-up has been juicer than ever. The most scandalous? Disney’s Cruella, of course.

1. A Quiet Place Part II

2. Cruella – WINNER

3. Dune

4. Fatherhood

5. Halloween Kills

6. In the Heights

7. Old

8. Respect

The Family Movie of 2021

Each year, Pixar picks up a slew of awards for their latest uber-emotional animated tale. Luca – Pixar’s 2021 movie set in Italy’s Cinque Terre – is off to a great start, having recently picked up the Family Movie of 2021 award at the People’s Choice Awards.

1. Cinderella

2. Luca – WINNER

3. Raya and the Last Dragon

4. The Boss Baby: Family Business

5. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

6. Tom and Jerry

7. Vivo

8. Yes Day

The Male Movie Star of 2021

Dwayne Johnson may’ve had some tough competition – Daniel Craig and Chris Pratt, to name just two – but he managed to get his hands on the Male Movie Star of 2021 award for his role in Disney’s Jungle Cruise. We, for one, are not surprised.

1. Chris Pratt – The Tomorrow War

2. Daniel Craig – No Time to Die

3. Dwayne Johnson – Jungle Cruise – WINNER

4. Eddie Murphy – Coming 2 America

5. John Cena – F9: The Fast Saga

6. Ryan Reynolds – Free Guy

7. Simu Liu – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

8. Vin Diesel – F9: The Fast Saga

The Female Movie Star of 2021

Jennifer Hudson put her all into playing Aretha Franklin and Margot Robbie stole the show in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.

However, neither they nor the five other runner-ups did enough to top Scarlett Johannsson’s last outing as Black Widow.

1. Awkwafina – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

2. Charlize Theron – F9: The Fast Saga

3. Florence Pugh – Black Widow

4. Jennifer Hudson – Respect

5. Leslie Jones – Coming 2 America

6. Margot Robbie – The Suicide Squad

7. Salma Hayek – The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

8. Scarlett Johansson – Black Widow – WINNER

The Drama Movie Star of 2021

Although the likes of Emily Blunt, Timotheé Chalamet and Jamie Lee Curtis have more experience in dramatic roles, it was comedian Kevin Hart that audiences resonated with the most in his Netflix film Fatherhood. Clearly, Hart is a man of many talents.

1. Anthony Ramos – In the Heights

2. Emily Blunt – A Quiet Place Part II

3. Emma Stone – Cruella

4. Jamie Lee Curtis – Halloween Kills

5. Jason Momoa – Dune

6. Jennifer Hudson – Respect

7. Kevin Hart – Fatherhood – WINNER

8. Timothée Chalamet – Dune

The Comedy Movie Star of 2021

If you’ve seen Disney’s Jungle Cruise – which, FYI, is now streaming on Disney+ – you’ll know that Dwayne Johnson deserves his People’s Choice Award for the Best Comedy Movie Star of 2021.

If it was up to us, however, we’d probably give all of this year’s nominees a prize.

1. Dwayne Johnson – Jungle Cruise – WINNER

2. Eddie Murphy – Coming 2 America

3. Emily Blunt – Jungle Cruise

4. Leslie Jones – Coming 2 America

5. Melissa McCarthy – Thunder Force

6. Octavia Spencer – Thunder Force

7. Ryan Reynolds – Free Guy

8. Salma Hayek – The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard

The Action Movie Star of 2021

Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu jumped, kicked and punched his way to the top of the action movie list which featured the likes of Daniel Craig, John Cena and Vin Diesel. You go Simu Liu.

1. Charlize Theron – F9: The Fast Saga

2. Chris Pratt – The Tomorrow War

3. Daniel Craig – No Time To Die

4. Florence Pugh – Black Widow

5. John Cena – F9: The Fast Saga

6. Scarlett Johansson – Black Widow

7. Simu Liu – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – WINNER

8. Vin Diesel – F9: The Fast Saga

People’s Choice Award Winners 2021: TV

The Show of 2021

TV is getting bigger and better, and just this year, Marvel Studios ventured into small screen stories for the first time ever.

Are they worth watching? Well, Loki did just take the People’s Choice Award for the Show of 2021 award, so…

1. Cobra Kai

2. Grey’s Anatomy

3. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

4. Loki – WINNER

5. Saturday Night Live

6. The Bachelor

7. This Is Us

8. WandaVision

The Drama Show of 2021

Drama shows have been keeping us entertained for donkey’s years.

One of the most dependable shows on television, Grey’s Anatomy, took the award for best Drama Show of 2021.

It’s clear that people still love the easy-to-watch medical drama.

1. Outer Banks

2. 9-1-1

3. Cobra Kai

4. Grey’s Anatomy – WINNER

5. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

6. The Equalizer

7. The Walking Dead

8. This Is Us

The Comedy Show of 2021

Comedy shows like Ted Lasso, Young Rock and Only Murders in the Building have kept us laughing in another year filled with uncertainty.

But no show was proved to be quite as funny as Netflix’s coming-of-age show Never Have I Ever.

1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

2. Grown-ish

3. Never Have I Ever – WINNER

4. Only Murders in the Building

5. Saturday Night Live

6. Ted Lasso

7. The Upshaws

8. Young Rock

The Reality Show of 2021

After 20 series and 14 years, Keeping Up With The Kardashians finally drew to a close in 2021, so it’s not a huge surprise that America’s most famous family took home top prize in the reality category.

Congrats Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kylie, Kendall and Kris, on being you.

1. 90 Day Fiancé

2. Bachelor In Paradise

3. Below Deck

4. Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

5. Keeping Up with the Kardashians – WINNER

6. Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

7. The Real Housewives of Atlanta

8. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The Competition Show of 2021

Which competition show reigns supreme in 2021? According to the People’s Choice Awards, it’s The Voice.

We wonder if this win has got anything to do with Ariana Grande joining the judging panel (we see you Arianators.)

1. America’s Got Talent

2. American Idol

3. Dancing With The Stars

4. RuPaul’s Drag Race

5. The Bachelor

6. The Bachelorette

7. The Masked Singer

8. The Voice – WINNER

The Male TV Star of 2021

Tom Hiddleston beat his peers to the Male TV Star of 2021 award by embracing the role he was born to play: Loki.

If nothing else, the show has taught us that there’s more to the God of Mischief than meets the eye.

1. Anthony Mackie – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

2. Chase Stokes – Outer Banks

3. Dwayne Johnson – Young Rock

4. Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso

5. Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live

6. Norman Reedus – The Walking Dead

7. Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us

8. Tom Hiddleston – Loki – WINNER

The Female TV Star of 2021

Ellen Pompeo has starred as Dr Meredith Grey in 365 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, and the general public is still bewitched by her.

It’s almost like she’s cast a spell on America – one, not even Scarlet Witch can break.

1. Angela Bassett – 9-1-1

2. Elizabeth Olsen – WandaVision

3. Ellen Pompeo – Grey’s Anatomy – WINNER

4. Kathryn Hahn – WandaVision

5. Mandy Moore – This Is Us

6. Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order: SVU

7. Queen Latifah – The Equalizer

8. Yara Shahidi – Grown-ish

The Drama TV Star of 2021

29-year-old upcoming actor Chase Banks managed to overshadow the likes of Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett and Mandy Moore and take the award for the Drama TV Star of 2021.

1. Norman Reedus – The Walking Dead

2. Angela Bassett – 9-1-1

3. Chase Stokes – Outer Banks – WINNER

4. Ellen Pompeo – Grey’s Anatomy

5. Mandy Moore – This Is Us

6. Mariska Hargitay – Law & Order: SVU

7. Queen Latifah – The Equalizer

8. Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us

The Comedy TV Star of 2021

The nominees of Comedy Star of 2021 included two stars from Only Murders in the Building – Steve Martin and Selena Gomez.

The latter ended up taking the award, which is yet another reason Disney+ and Hulu subscribers should give this quirky show a chance.

1. Andy Samberg – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

2. Dwayne Johnson – Young Rock

3. Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso

4. Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live

5. Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building – WINNER

6. Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building

7. Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws

8. Yara Shahidi – Grown-ish

The Daytime Talk Show of 2021

Clearly, Apple TV+’s The Morning Show hasn’t been enough to put American viewers off immersing themselves in daytime television.

The best daytime talk show of 2021? The Ellen DeGeneres Show, controversially.

1. Good Morning America

2. Live with Kelly and Ryan

3. Red Table Talk

4. The Ellen DeGeneres Show – WINNER

5. The Kelly Clarkson Show

6. The View

7. The Wendy Williams Show

8. Today

The Nighttime Talk Show of 2021

There’s always enough time to watch nighttime talk shows – whether that’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show with James Corden or, winner of the Nighttime Talk Show of 2021 award, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

1. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

2. Jimmy Kimmel Live!

3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

4. Late Night with Seth Meyers

5. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

6. The Late Late Show with James Corden

7. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

8. The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon – WINNER

The Competition Contestant of 2021

Jojo Siwa was crowned the best competition contestant of 2021 at the People’s Choice Awards, and she completely deserves it.

Don’t believe us? Watch her freestyle dance to Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ and then come back to us.

1. Cody Rigsby – Dancing With the Stars

2. Gottmik – RuPaul’s Drag Race

3. JoJo (singer) – The Masked Singer

4. JoJo Siwa – Dancing with the Stars – WINNER

5. Katie Thurston – The Bachelorette

6. Matt James – The Bachelor

7. Symone – RuPaul’s Drag Race

8. Wiz Khalifa – The Masked Singer

The Reality TV Star of 2021

Ever since 2007, Khloe Kardashian has played an integral part in the world’s favourite reality TV show, Keeping up with the Kardashians.

She’s made us laugh, cry and scream at our televisions – and now she’s received a much-deserved award for being so addictive to watch.

1. Erica Mena – Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta

2. Joe Amabile – Bachelor In Paradise

3. Kandi Burruss – The Real Housewives of Atlanta

4. Khloe Kardashian – Keeping Up with the Kardashians – WINNER

5. Kim Kardashian West – Keeping Up with the Kardashians

6. Lisa Rinna – The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

7. Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino – Jersey Shore Family Vacation

8. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi – Jersey Shore Family Vacation

The Binge-Worthy Show of 2021

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few months, you’ll know that Squid Game currently has the world in a chokehold.

As expected, the show took home the award for The Binge-Worthy Show of 2021.

1. Cobra Ka

2. Loki

3. Mare of Easttown

4. Outer Bank

5. Sex/Life

6. Squid Game – WINNER

7. Ted Lasso

8. The White Lotus

The Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show of 2021

Each year, we indulge in sci-fi and fantasy shows that transport us to different places, planets and points in time.

Apparently, this year Lucifer did it best.

1. Loki

2. Lucifer – WINNER

3. La Brea

4. Shadow and Bone

5. Superman and Lois

6. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

7. The Flash

8. WandaVision

People’s Choice Award Winners 2021: Music

The Male Artist of 2021

Lil Nas X has been the name on everybody’s lips this year, so it only feels right that the singer takes the award for the Male Artist of 2021 at the People’s Choice Awards.

Speaking of impressive artists, check out our Best Selling Artists of 2021.

Bad Bunny
Drake
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lil Nas X – WINNER
Luke Combs
Shawn Mendes
The Weeknd

The Female Artist of 2021

Even contemporary icons like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are no match for music legend Adele. The British icon can do no wrong.

Adele – WINNER
Billie Eilish
Cardi B
Doja Cat
Halsey
Megan Thee Stallion
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

The Group of 2021

Forget Migos, Imagine Dragons and Maroon 5, this year has been all about South Korean stars BTS.

And with them since announcing “an extended period of rest”, picking up the People’s Choice Award for The Group of 2021 serves as a pretty sweet send-off.

BTS – WINNER
Coldplay
Dan + Shay
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Migos
Twenty One Pilots

The Song of 2021

BTS also picked up The Song of 2021 award. The group’s smash-hit ‘Butter’ shined brighter than all of this year’s biggest bops, including Ed Sheeran's ‘Bad Habits’, Cardi B’s ‘Up’ and Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Good 4 U’.

‘Butter’ – BTS – WINNER
‘Bad Habits’ – Ed Sheeran
‘Easy on Me’ – Adele
‘Good 4 U’ – Olivia Rodrigo
‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ – Lil Nas X
‘Peaches’ – Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
‘Stay’ – The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber
‘Up’ – Cardi B

The Album of 2021

Some expected to see Drake take The Album of 2021 award for Certified Lover Boy, others thought it’d go to Billie Eilish for Happier Than Ever.

But, instead, the award went to newcomer Olivia Rodrigo for her outstanding record Sour.

Certified Lover Boy – Drake
Culture III – Migos
Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish
Justice – Justin Bieber
Montero – Lil Nas X
Planet Her – Doja Cat
Sour – Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER
Star-Crossed – Kacey Musgraves

The Country Artist of 2021

Stalwart singer Blake Shelton is still winning new fans with his heart-warming voice.

The evidence? His Country Artist of 2021 People’s Choice Award.

Blake Shelton – WINNER
Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay
Kacey Musgraves
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert

The Latin Artist of 2021

2021 has been a great year for Latin fans – they’ve enjoyed music from Maluma, J Balvin, Daddy Yankee and the winner of the Latin Artist of 2021 award, Bad Bunny.

Not familiar with the Puerto Rican rapper? Well, get to know.

Anuel AA
Bad Bunny – WINNER
Becky G
Daddy Yankee
J Balvin
KAROL G
Maluma
Natti Natasha

The New Artist of 2021

This time last year only High School Musical stans really knew who Olivia Rodrigo was: 12 months on, the 18-year-old singer-songwriter has infiltrated pretty much everybody’s music library.

In short, there was no more deserving winner of New Artist of 2021.

24kGoldn
Bella Poarch
Giveon
Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER
Rauw Alejandro
Tate McRae
The Kid Laroi
Tomorrow X Together

The Music Video of 2021

From Olivia Rodrigo’s Jennifer’s Body-inspired ‘Good 4 U’ video to Adele’s self-referential Easy on Me visuals, 2021 has been jam-packed with thrilling music videos.

The best? Apparently, the video to BTS’ ‘Butter’. Is there anything those boys can’t do?

‘Butter’ – BTS – WINNER
‘Easy on Me’ – Adele
‘Good 4 U’ – Olivia Rodrigo
‘Location’ – Karol G, Anuel AA, J Balvin
‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name)’ – Lil Nas X
‘My Universe’ – Coldplay X BTS
‘Peaches’ – Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
‘Stay’ – The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber

The Collaboration Song of 2021

The music industry has gone collab crazy as of late, and, according to the People’s Choice Awards, the best collaboration song of 2021 was The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s ‘Stay’.

‘Best Friend’ – Saweetie feat. Doja Cat
‘Industry Baby’ – Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow
‘Kiss Me More’ – Doja Cat feat. SZA
‘Leave the Door Open’ – Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
‘Peaches’ – Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
‘Stay’ – The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber – WINNER
‘Way 2 Sexy’ – Drake feat. Future & Young Thug
‘You Right’ – Doja Cat feat. The Weeknd

People’s Choice Award Winners 2021: Pop Culture

The Social Star of 2021

The world of social media is made more interesting by our favourite stars. And this year, we’ve all been captivated by pop queen Britney Spears and her quest for freedom.

The long-overdue termination of her conservatorship is truly one of 2021’s most uplifting stories.

Addison Rae
Britney Spears – WINNER
Charli D’Amelio
Dwayne Johnson
Justin Bieber
Kim Kardashian West
Kylie Jenner
Lil Nas X

The Pop Special of 2021

2021 has been a special year – and it may have something to do with all of the specials we’ve indulged in.

The most special special? Friends: The Reunion.

Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry
Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil
Friends: The Reunion – WINNER
Justin Bieber: Our World
Olympic Highlights With Kevin Hart and Snoop Dogg
Oprah with Meghan and Harry
Pink: All I Know So Far
Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3

The Comedy Act of 2021

Chelsea Handler’s Vaccinated and Horny Tour is a tour de force; thus, it totally deserves the title of Comedy Act of 2021.

Back to Abnormal Tour – Trevor Noah
Bo Burnham: Inside – Bo Burnham
From Scratch Tour – John Mulaney
Sorry, Harriet Tubman – Phoebe Robinson
The King’s Jester Tour – Hasan Minhaj
The Milk & Money Tour – Ali Wong
Vaccinated and Horny Tour – Chelsea Handler – WINNER
You Know What It Is – Marlon Wayans

The Game Changer of 2021

Artistic gymnast Simone Biles has won 32 medals in her 24 years on this planet, and she’s also won two People’s Choice Awards – one in 2019 and one in 2021.

Where does one keep so many accolades? (#firstworldproblems)

Alex Morgan
Bubba Wallace
Carl Nassib
Naomi Osaka
Patrick Mahomes
Serena Williams
Simone Biles – WINNER
Sunisa Lee

The Pop Podcast of 2021

Podcasts have become serious business over the last few years; and, like everything in the world, some are better than others.

According to the People’s Choice Awards, the one everyone should be checking out right now is Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain.

Anything Goes With Emma Chamberlain – WINNER
Armchair Expert
Call Her Daddy
Chicks in the Office
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Couple Things With Shawn and Andrew
SmartLess
Why Won’t You Date Me? With Nicole Byer

People’s Choice Award Winners 2021: Icons and Champions

This year, Christina Aguilera, Kim Kardashian, Dwayne Johnson and Halle Berry were recognised as entertainment icons and champions.

Here, we present you with each of the victors’ inspiring acceptance speeches.

Music Icon Award

Christina Aguilera

The Fashion Icon Award

Kim Kardashian

The People’s Champion Award

Dwayne Johnson

People’s Icon of 2021

Halle Berry

People’s Choice Awards: Memorable Moments

The People’s Choice Awards is a prestigious event for many reasons, one being that the award show has a storied past.

Allow us to take you back to the not-so-distant past to remember a handful of the standout moments.

2020

2019

2018

2017

Top 10 Most Memorable Moments

Create Your Own Award-Worthy Content with the Help of Audio Network

This time last year, some of the aforementioned names – and some of the people involved in the above-mentioned projects – were sitting at home, watching the People’s Choice Awards whilst daydreaming about rubbing shoulders with the elite.

Over the past 12 months, these people have grafted to get to a place where their talents are being recognised as being amongst the best in the world – just as good, if not better, than those they admire. Now, it’s time for you to make your move.

At Audio Network, we aim to encourage you to produce that television show that lies within your notebook, pitch that off-the-wall film idea to an indie film studio, and start recording that podcast that you and your friends informally spoke about.

Naturally, we think you’ll do well to feature a handful of our high-quality production music tracks in any of these projects, as nothing keeps an audience intrigued quite like a rousing piece of music. Feel free to browse and sample some of our songs in our carefully curated playlists.

Already run a successful business? Well then, perhaps your aim should be to advertise your goods or services during the commercials of the People’s Choice Awards 2022. Check out our music for advertising page for inspiration.

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PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS 2021 & THROUGH THE YEARS

People’s Choice Awards 2021: The Categories