The 2024 People’s Choice Awards lit up Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on February 18, celebrating the movies, TV shows, and artists that captured our hearts over the year. As the only fan-voted award show, it truly put the power in the hands of pop culture enthusiasts. Hosted by the ever-charming Simu Liu, the night was packed with hilarity, emotional speeches, and unforgettable musical performances. From Barbie dominating the movie categories to Taylor Swift sweeping the music accolades, the evening highlighted fan favorites across every entertainment medium. With surprise appearances by Jeremy Renner and powerhouse acts by Lenny Kravitz, Kylie Minogue, and Lainey Wilson, the energy was electric. If you missed it, here’s a breakdown of the best moments that defined this year’s most fan-centric celebration.

Simu Liu Brings Humor and Heart as Host

Simu Liu, beloved for his roles in Shang-Chi and Barbie, took the hosting reins this year. He kicked off with an epic, pre-recorded skit paying homage to the high-pressure kitchen chaos of The Bear. Blending humor and pop culture references, Liu set the tone with jokes about Hollywood and even threw gentle shade at Jo Koy’s Golden Globes hosting stint.

During his opening monologue, Liu humorously credited Barbie for Oppenheimer’s box office success and gave a heartfelt nod to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour movie. “I was a Swiftie long before I was Ken,” he quipped, earning laughs and cheers from the audience. Liu’s charm and natural ability to connect with the crowd ensured the evening started on a high note.

Big Wins for Barbie

It was Barbie’s world, and we were just living in it. Greta Gerwig's cultural phenomenon swept the movie categories, winning Movie of the Year and Comedy Movie of the Year. Ryan Gosling, who played a hilarious take on Ken, was crowned Male Movie Star of the Year, while Margot Robbie snagged Female Movie Star of the Year.

America Ferrera, whose monologue in Barbie was hailed as the emotional core of the film, won Movie Performance of the Year. Ferrera used her acceptance speech to express gratitude to Greta Gerwig and her co-stars, calling her involvement in the movie a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Fans celebrated Barbie as much more than a comedy, praising its bold storytelling and social commentary.

Emotional Moments from Jeremy Renner and Adam Sandler

One of the evening’s most touching highlights was Jeremy Renner’s surprise appearance. After surviving a near-fatal snowplow accident in early 2023, Renner walked onto the stage unaided to present Billie Eilish with TV Performance of the Year for Swarm. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he reflected on his challenging year, saying, “Gotta say, it feels good to be back.”

Adam Sandler was another fan-favorite winner, honored with the People’s Icon Award. Presented by his close friend Jennifer Aniston, Sandler balanced humor with heartfelt gratitude. He joked about mistaking the award for People’s Sexiest Man Alive, humorously declaring, “My name is Adam Sandler, and I am the sexiest man alive!” But he also used the moment to thank his family, calling his wife Jackie and daughters Sadie and Sunny his “best friends.”

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Sweep Pop Culture Categories

While neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce attended the ceremony, the power couple dominated the evening. Swift took home four awards, including Female Artist of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year, and Social Celebrity of the Year. Her Eras Tour continues to be a cultural sensation, also winning Concert Tour of the Year.

Kelce, now firmly cemented as “America’s Sweetheart,” won Athlete of the Year. Fans couldn’t get enough of the couple’s shared success, celebrating their crossover between sports and pop culture.

Electrifying Musical Performances

The People’s Choice Awards were just as much about music as they were about movies and TV. Lenny Kravitz, this year’s recipient of the Music Icon Award, performed a medley of his greatest hits, including “Fly Away” and “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over.” During his acceptance speech, he emphasized the enduring power of love, urging fans to “let love rule.”

Kylie Minogue also delivered a crowd-pleasing performance of her pop hit “Padam Padam,” and country star Lainey Wilson performed a medley of her songs that had fans clapping and swaying along.

TV Shows That Stole the Spotlight

On the television side, Grey’s Anatomy was named Show of the Year, proving its enduring appeal even after 20 seasons. Comedy fans cheered as Only Murders in the Building won Comedy Show of the Year, with standout performances from Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short.

The emotional drama The Last of Us won Drama Show of the Year, with Pedro Pascal recognized as Male TV Star of the Year. Selena Gomez also earned the title of Female TV Star of the Year, cementing her place as a beloved figure in television.

Off-Camera Candids

Though many moments played out on stage, fans also got a glimpse of behind-the-scenes antics. America Ferrera and Abigail Spencer were spotted sharing laughs, while Darren Barnet and Alexandra Shipp turned the evening into an impromptu photoshoot. Kathryn Hahn captured everyone’s attention with her “bewitching” presence, and Billie Eilish and Halle Bailey posed for a picture-perfect moment that had fans swooning.

A Night of Appreciation for Fans

What sets the People’s Choice Awards apart is its fan-driven nature, and this year’s ceremony made that evident. Host Simu Liu reiterated it throughout the night, emphasizing how fans turned movies into movements and TV shows into obsessions. From Jeremy Renner’s heartfelt gratitude to Taylor Swift’s massive haul of awards, it was clear that none of the winners took the fan recognition for granted.

Fashion That Turned Heads

The red carpet was a spectacle in itself, with celebrities flaunting bold and elegant looks. Simu Liu brought stylish flair to hosting duties, while Margot Robbie stunned in a hot pink ensemble that gave a nod to her Barbie character. Selena Gomez sparkled in a sleek black gown, and Zendaya wowed in a daring, metallic silver look. Each outfit showcased the individuality and star power of Hollywood’s finest.

The 2024 People’s Choice Awards reminded everyone why they’re one of the most delightful award shows around. With its mix of heartfelt speeches, laugh-out-loud moments, and fan-driven recognition, the evening celebrated the stories and personalities that brought joy to millions. Whether you’re a Swiftie, a movie buff, or just someone who loves good entertainment, this year’s show truly offered something for everyone.