People’s Choice is for the fans
But many stars say it’s their favorite award
LOS ANGELES — The fans have voted, and in the millions: Stars of TV, film and music picked up their trophies Wednesday night at the 38th annual People’s Choice Awards.
Backstage, Emma Stone, winner of the favorite-movie-actress award, had tongue firmly in cheek when asked how she felt: “It sucked,” she joked to reporters. “This is so crappy. No, it’s so nice.” The star of The Help, wearing a green Gucci jacket and dark trousers, choked up onstage during her acceptance speech. But she recovered enough to tell reporters later her style icon. “Diane Keaton, for sure,” she said.
In fact, many stars say the People’s Choice Awards are their favorite of the awards season, which is just getting underway. Hosted by Kaley Cuoco of CBS’ The Big Bang Theory at the Nokia Theatre, the awards were handed out after a record-breaking 230-millionplus online votes at the website and via Facebook and Twitter. Faith Hill and Demi Lovato provided the musical performances.
Dressed in a red poufy dress with red spike heels, Cuoco opened the show shouting, “I’ve always loved this show because you, the fans, are in control of who wins!”
That said, Nathan Fillion, who took home the award for favorite TV drama actor for ABC’S Castle, summed up the stakes during his turn on the red carpet: Winning, he noted, “depends on the Internet savvy of your fans.” Later, during his acceptance speech, he was explicit: “To the fans, let this giant crystalized tear of victory be a symbol of your excellent taste!”
Social media got some kudos as well. “Love those Twitter fans. Keep it up, guys!” said Neil Patrick Harris, star of CBS’ How I Met Your Mother, during his acceptance speech for the favorite-tvcomedy-actor award.
But sometimes the traditional ways fans contact stars work, too. “I was recently at a Cracker Barrel, and I was more recognized there than anywhere else in my life,” said Ana Gasteyer from ABC’S Suburgatory.
During acceptance speeches and backstage, winners reinforced the fan love. “Glee would be nothing without you,” said a Marchesaclad Lea Michele when she won for TV comedy actress.
Backstage, Harris paid tribute to the viewers: “We’re in Season 7, so it’s nice to know our fans are continuing to watch it,” he told reporters. And where would the new father of twins put his heavy Waterford crystal trophy? “I should put it above the cribs,” he joked. “Make a mobile out of it.” Earlier, on the red carpet, Vanessa Hudgens, wearing Jenny Packham, chatted about her favorite movies. “Right now the movie I’m watching over and over again is Bridesmaids. Those women are hysterical,” she said.
Dermot Mulroney was having a busy evening. Across the street, his new movie, The Grey, was having its premiere.
Mulroney said he will soon be appearing in the Fox comedy New Girl . “I’ll be playing a love interest for Zooey Deschanel.” Of his character: “He’s a father of one of her students. I can assure you it will be hilarious.”
White Collar’s Matt Bomer recalled his most unique experience with a fan. “Someone almost ran me down on a crosswalk ,and then, to add insult to injury, when they eventually stopped and I ran over to the other side of the road, they said ‘Oh, sorry, we thought you were Neal Caffrey,’ my character from the show.”