‘Empire,’ One Direction, Curry win at 17th Teen Choice Awards
The 17th Teen Choice Awards threw its full support behind the hit series “Empire,” honored late “Furious 7” star Paul Walker and paid homage to a respected elder: Britney Spears.
The two-hour teen celebration, broadcast live Sunday night, kicked off with a victory lap for the weekend box-office hit “Straight Outta Compton.” Ice Cube and the young stars of the N.W.A. biopic, which earned an estimated $56.1 million over the weekend, welcomed the young crowd to Los Angeles’ Galen Center.
Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges, the rapper and “Furious 7” co-star, was one of three hosts, alongside “Jane the Virgin” star Gina Rodriguez and actor Josh Peck. Bridges’ film, one of year’s biggest big-screen hits, was one of the night’s top winners, winning best action movie and best actor in an action-adventure for the late Walker.
“Paul Walker is here in spirit with us,” said Vin Diesel, a star in the street racing franchise.
The Teen Choice Awards spread awards across movies, music, TV, fashion, sports and digital media, celebrating the favorites — from Channing Tatum to Wiz Khalifa to Golden State’s Stephen Curry— of one of media’s most powerful demographics.
As a pop star, Spears was a regular at the Teen Choice Awards. On Sunday, she was honored for being a style icon.
The Teen Choice Awards’ new reigning powerhouse, One Direction, landed eight awards, bringing their “lifetime” total to 23. The British boy band accepted the awards in a taped video.
The hip-hop drama “Empire” won breakout TV show and provided one of the show’s most memorable moments. While Jussie Smollett and Yazz performed “You’re So Beautiful,” a song from the series, the show’s Gabourey Sidibe made a surprise cameo, exuberantly dancing among the back-up dancers.
Several awards went to “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,” including best actor in a sci-fi or fantasy for Josh Hutcherson.