My foremost takeaway from the 2025 Youngsters’ Alternative Awards is that youngsters like just about the identical musical artists as all people else. Sabrina Carpenter gained favourite album for Quick n’ Candy, simply as she had gained the Grammy for finest pop vocal album in February. SZA and Bruno Mars gained favourite feminine and male artist, respectively. Carpenter and Benson Boone gained favourite feminine and male breakout artist, respectively. These 4 artists might have been winners on nearly any present.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA took favourite music collaboration for “luther,” which topped the Billboard Scorching 100 for 13 weeks and will very nicely be headed to a Grammy win for file of the yr early subsequent yr. (The tune’s namesake, Luther Vandross, died in 2005, lengthy earlier than many of the present Youngsters’ Alternative Awards viewers was even born.)
Depraved, which set a brand new file because the top-grossing movie tailored from a Broadway musical, gained for favourite film. Ariana Grande gained favourite film actress for enjoying Glinda in that blockbuster movie and in addition took favourite tune from a film as a featured artist on Cynthia Erivo’s “Defying Gravity.”
Different music winners included Stray Youngsters (favourite music group), Tyla (favourite international music star) and Selena Gomez and benny blanco (favourite viral tune for “Bluest Flame”).
Whereas slime, and plenty of it, is the clearly foremost attraction on this present, a number of of the winners snuck inspiring and essential messages into their acceptance speeches.
Listed below are 5 of the most effective moments from the 2025 Youngsters’ Alternative Awards.
Rihanna, benny blanco Search to Encourage Their Younger Followers

Picture Credit score: Emma McIntyre/Getty Photos for Nickelodeon Rihanna accepted an Icon Award by video and delivered an inspiring message for her younger followers. “I simply wish to take this second to remind all of you that wherever you’re proper now’s vital and essential to the place you’re about to go. Personal your area on this world and know that you’re chosen for greatness.”
benny blanco made an identical level when he accepted (in-person) favourite viral tune for “Bluest Flame,” a collab together with his girlfriend, Selena Gomez (who wasn’t current). Carrying an Aerosmith T-shirt, he stated, “I’ve at all times wished one in every of these since I used to be a child and I simply wish to let you know guys ‘Dream something you possibly can, as large as you possibly can as a result of … you guys can do something you need.’”
Sabrina Carpenter Guarantees to Proceed Making Clear Variations of Her Songs
Sabrina Carpenter picked up three awards — favourite album for Quick n’ Candy, favourite feminine breakout artist and favourite tune for “Style.”
“I’ve at all times wished one in every of these ever since I used to be just a little lady,” she stated. “That is so particular to me. I simply can’t thank every one in every of you sufficient for voting. I’ll proceed to make these clear variations of those songs for you, and I’m so grateful that you simply’re listening.”
Auli’i Caravalho’s Instantly Political Message
Auli’i Caravalho accepted the award for favourite feminine animated voice from a film for Moana 2, capping her speech by saying, “Our first movie taught us the significance of righting the imbalance between man and nature and the second movie tells us how essential it’s to welcome individuals from faraway shores.” Prior to now, that latter remark would have appeared unremarkable, however in these highly-charged instances it gave the impression to be relating a hot-button subject.
Jack Black Does His Greatest Appearing of the 12 months
It got here on the finish of his acceptance speech for the King of Comedy Award, the place he was inevitably slimed, but he stated, “Are you kidding me? I didn’t see that coming. You bought me.” A trouper, he stayed in place for a second sliming after they introduced his second award of the evening, favourite film actor for A Minecraft Film.
The King of Comedy award was introduced by Black’s Nacho Libre co-stars Ana de la Reguera and Héctor Jiménez, who, Black famous, got here from Mexico to current the award. “Viva Mexico,” Black stated, one other remark that might have appeared innocuous not so way back however all of the sudden appeared extremely topical.
mgk and KATSEYE Carry out
There have been two musical performances: “cliché,” by mgk, from his upcoming seventh studio album, Misplaced Americana, and “Gnarly,” by KATSEYE, from their upcoming second EP, Stunning Chaos. Each performances culminated in slimings. mgk (carrying a Misplaced Americana T-shirt) was launched by his daughter, Casie Baker. KATSEYE was launched by Ice Spice.

