With winners that ranged in age from teens to early 40s, the 16th annual Young Hollywood Awards feted a bevy of the young and the young at heart. Held on July 27 at L.A.’s Wiltern Theater, the kudos honored everyone from snowboarders to actors, musicians to fashion trendsetters, viral stars to bad-boy pop stars with charitable sides. Performances by Trey Songz and Colbie Caillat kept the evening moving, while host Kelly Osbourne roamed throughout the audience, but the focus was on the winners themselves, who spoke to Variety backstage.
Fan Favorite Actor (Female) – Chloe Grace Moretz
Fans can soon see Chloe Grace Moretz playing the cello in “If I Stay,” based on the bestselling YA novel. “I’d be a fool to say that I could learn such a classical instrument within five months, but I did do a lot of my own work,” she said. Working on a film adaptation, she said, is “more religious in the sense that you have to really be honest and true to the story, because you can’t mess it up.”
You’re So Fancy – Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne is keeping busy with six films in the works, the most imminent being “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” where she stars opposite Steve Carell. The actress is also releasing her first book, “Autumn Falls” centered on a dyslexic character. “I really wanted to show kids that if I’m dyslexic and I can have book series with Random House, if I can do it, why can’t they do it too?”
Breakthrough Actress – Danielle Brooks
“I’m really living my dream right now,” said Danielle Brooks. “I’m 24, and to be on a show that was nominated for 12 Emmys, I’m over the moon excited.” The 2011 Juilliard graduate focused on theater before playing Taystee on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” During her show’s hiatus, the actress continues to work, with roles in two new films, “I Dream Too Much” and “Time Out of Mind.”
Coolest Crossover Artist – Nick Jonas
From Disney star to no-longer-a-JoBro, Nick Jonas is making waves with his latest song “Chains” and his starring role in DirecTV’s newest drama “Kingdom.” He said, “Working on this material (‘Kingdom’) that’s really inspiring has elevated the music portion of what I’m doing and is pushing me harder on the acting side.” Jonas trained in boxing, jiu jitsu and judo to play an MMA prize fighter on the new show. “It’s the best workout you could ever ask for.”
YH Trendsetter – Vanessa Hudgens
Young Hollywood’s trendsetter award couldn’t have gone to anyone more appropriate than the actress often dubbed the “Coachella Queen.” Vanessa Hudgens said she welcomes the title. “I love running around barefoot on the grass, listening to my favorite bands. It’s pure bliss for me.” The actress said her love of fashion could open up a new window in her career, when the time is right. “Designing, of course, is the next step.”
#Socialmediasuperstar – Ashley Tisdale
With over 12 million followers on Twitter, Ashley Tisdale said social media is a way
to stay connected with her fans and to get ideas of what they like and dislike. The actress also owns her own Blondie Girl production company, which is responsible for ABC Family’s new show “Young and Hungry.” “Two years ago it was just an idea,” said Tisdale, and seeing it up on screen, “it’s kind of like having a baby.”
Hottest Body (Of Work) – Derek Hough
Emmy-award winning choreographer and “Dancing With the Stars” dancer Derek Hough said becoming a coach, choreographer and a teacher of dance all started on the ABC show. “To hone my craft and to put that pressure on (myself) to learn and research new styles,” is how he describes his goals going forward. On dream projects outside of “DWTS,” Hough said, “Broadway is definitely in the future. Arena tours … the sky is the limit really.”
We Love to Hate You – Pablo Schreiber
Pablo Schreiber played two nasty characters this season — Pornstache on “Orange Is the New Black” and William Lewis on “Law & Order: SVU” — that fans truly loved to hate. Even though Schreiber’s “Orange” character is pretty cruel, fans were driven into a frenzy upon learning he won’t be returning for season 3. “Pornstache has a place in peoples’ hearts, I guess, because he’s such a fucking lunatic,” said the actor.
Super Superhero – Kellan Lutz
After stints playing Poseidon, Tarzan and vampire Emmett Cullen in the “Twilight” saga, Kellan Lutz got a chance to tackle the grand-daddy of all mythological characters in “The Legend of Hercules.” Though the film underperformed at the box office, it did nab Lutz the Super Superhero award, which he brandished like a sword. “I’m a big fan of all the movies up there,” he said of fellow nominees Chris Evans, Chris Pratt and Andrew Garfield.
Fan Favorite Actor (Male) – Ansel Elgort
Ansel Elgort, best known for his roles in “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Divergent,” also goes by another persona — Ansolo. The actor is a serious music producer and DJ, with his new song “Totem” having recently made its way to No. 9 on the iTunes dance chart. “I have to make music. I have to stay creative,” said Elgort. The actor creates music while on set in his trailer and said that taking a few months off to tour is a possibility.
Elgort was also on hand to collect a trio of awards for “Fault,” which won for Favorite Flick, Best Onscreen Couple (for Elgort and Shailene Woodley), and Best Cast Chemistry — Film, which he accepted alongside his excited co-star Nat Wolff.
Breakthrough Actor (Male) – Dylan O’Brien
“Teen Wolf” star Dylan O’Brien said there’s no way to be ready for the fandom that is likely to come with his pivotal role in “The Maze Runner” franchise. “I can handle it. I’ll just stay inside, that’s all,” he joked. “I’m really proud to be a part of the movie, so all that trumps anything else that may come with it.” With the much anticipated release, O’Brien says he didn’t feel any pressure working on the film, describing the set as very intimate.
Reality Royalty – “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette”
Accepting his award onstage, “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison joked that he was pretty close to aging out of the “young” Hollywood crew. But backstage, he praised the show’s perpetual rejuvenation: “The good thing for me is that every season is so different,” he said. “You go from Sean to Juan Pablo to Andi, so every season is a little different because they all bring their different history, different baggage, a whole new cast. Whether I love somebody or dislike somebody, you move on and you go to something new, which is cool and refreshing.”
Bingeworthy TV Show – “Orange Is the New Black”
Making the most of the TV world’s favorite neologism, the YHA bequeathed its first ever award for bingeworthiness this year. (Thankfully, the kudos refrained from minting an award for most purgeworthy TV show.) Appropriately enough, the victor was instantly available Netflix series ”Orange Is the New Black,” soon to start its third season. Stars Pablo Schreiber and Danielle Brooks also claimed individual awards, while their co-stars Matt McGorry and Dascha Polanco were also on hand to help accept.
Champ of Charity – Justin Bieber
Holding the record for the most wishes granted by a recording artist, Justin Bieber says he first got involved with the Make-a-Wish foundation on tour, where he granted a wish at almost every show. “I honestly didn’t do it for any recognition. I did it because I just love to be around the kids. They just put a smile on my face before I go on and kill it on stage,” said Bieber. “I’m really happy to be here and accept the award. It’s an honor.”
Other YHA Winners
Cuz You’re Funny – Amy Schumer
Hottest Music Artist – Ed Sheeran
Breakthrough Music Artist – Sam Smith
Best Bromance – Jonah Hill & Channing Tatum
Best Threesome – Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley
Song of the Summer – “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea
Viral Superstar – Jenna Marbles
