The Joey Awards 2017 – Celebrating Young Canadian Performers
Pizzas, balloons, trophies, popcorn and a little red carpet at the Joey celebration. This year’s Joey Awards had a list of 89 categories from ‘best monologue’, ‘best commercial actor’ to ‘best actor’ in different age categories recognizing even the smallest of roles. Most nominees from 3 to 21 yrs old gleefully showed up ‘dressed for the occasion’ with their proud parents, grandparents, some with their entire family at Sheraton ballroom.
The highlight is the recognition given to Canada’s first openly gender fluid child performer Ameko Eks Mass Carroll who identifies as both male and female. Born a male, Ameko is hailed for his courage to perform both as a male and female performer. “Rather than hiding my gender fluidity, I realized it was something important to share with the world. It’s not been easy facing the online bullying, but it makes me feel more complete knowing that the acting community has my back”, Ameko said during his acceptance speech.
W Network and UPtv’s “Date My Dad” won in 2 categories. Cooper sisters played by Zenia Marshall, Lilah Fitzgerald and Audrey Smallman won “Best Ensemble in a TV series”. Smallman, wearing a bedazzled cast on her left arm, also won “Best Series Regular or Leading Actress in a TV Series” (11-12 yrs). Popular “Stranger Things” 14 yrs old actor Finn Wolfhard also won “Best Leading Actor in a Feature Film” for Stephen King’s horror movie “IT”. “Best Leading Actress in a Feature Film” was garnered by “American Fable” Toronto actress Peyton Kennedy (13 yrs).
Arguably one of the cutest parts of the night were the acceptance speeches. Most of the young winners gave short speeches thanking their parents for patiently driving them to their auditions. Congratulations to all the winners! To see the list of nominees and winners visit www.joeyawards.com.
“By honoring the young performers, we also are bringing family and friends together to spend a quality day with one another, promoting how important the support of these people are in a child performer’s life.” – The Joey Awards.
No matter how painstakingly long the event was, all the young performers experienced a day of celebrating, dressing up, take lots of selfies and having lots fun.
