It was a great night, and week, for Tyler Oakley, who not only picked up the Streamys Audience Choice Entertainer of the Year Award, but was also honored as one of the night’s previously announced ICONS for his online activism and fundraising to prevent LGBT teen suicide. Oh, and his new audio podcast, Psychobabble, debuted on iTunes this week at No. 1.
“Thank you for letting me be part of this little fun group” of YouTube creators, said a flustered Oakley, who is credited with personally raising more than $500,000 to finance support organizations such as the Trevor Project that provide support to LGBT teens. “When I first got on YouTube, it was a way for me to keep in touch with friends. To my mom: you’re on the East Coast. Go to bed. I know you’re watching.”
The Spanish-language hit Enchufe.TV won the Audience Choice Award for Show of the Year. In three years, the MiTu property has gone from 600 subscribers on YouTube to more than 7 million.
The two-and-a-half-hour Streamy Awards at the Beverly Hilton also took time to honor the late comedian Joan Rivers, whose funeral in New York was earlier in the day. YouTube star Mamrie Hart came out with a glass of champagne, the only proper way, she said, to honor Rivers on a somber day.
Despite all of Rivers’ success on TV and other media for decades, Hart said, “at the age of 79, Joan decided she wanted to start a YouTube channel, In Bed with Joan Rivers. One of Joan’s greatest traits was her ability to make you feel super f***ing lazy.
“When I was in bed with Joan,” Hart continued, “I asked her if she wanted to be called a comedienne, or a comedian. She said, ‘I just want to be remembered as a funny person.’ She was brash, crass and super hilarious. I’m sorry, Joan. You won’t be remembered as a funny person. You’ll be remembered as the funniest person.”
Other big winners on the night included The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a now-finished series that won tonight for Best Drama Series, three days after star Ashley Clements picked up the Streamy for best actress in a drama during a separate ceremony. The modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice also picked up three Interactive Emmys during its three-season run.
“Thanks for remembering a show that’s inspired many young creators to read books,” said creator and producer Bernie Su.
Video Game High School picked up two Streamys tonight, one for Sci-Fi/Action Series, and the other for Ensemble Cast. Other ICONS honored tonight and during a dinner Friday night were Maker Studios co-founder Shay Carl, musician Pitbull and beauty YouTuber (and author and cosmetics line creator and so on) Michelle Phan.
The complete winners list in order of award:
Jenna Marbles: Best First Person Series
Chester See: Best Original Song
SourceFed: Best News & Current Events Show
Video Game High School: Best Action/Sci-Fi Series
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries: Best Drama Series
Bethany Mota: Best Fashion Program
My Drunk Kitchen: Best Comedy Series
Kids React: Best Kids & Family Series
Video Game High School: Best Ensemble Cast
Miss Glamorazzi: Best Beauty Program
SMOSH Games: Best Gaming Program
Brittany Furlan: Best Viner of the Year
Enchufe.TV: Audience Choice Show of the Year
Tyler Oakley: Audience Choice Entertainer of the Year
To stream the whole show, go here:
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