The Webby Awards: SZA, Obama, Lizzo, “Stranger Things” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” among the winners

The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) has announced the winners of its 27th annual Webby Awards.

Winners included SZA for Artist of the Year, Tracee Ellis Ross for a Special Achievement Award and Sharon Horgan for Best Actress. Barack Obama, Lizzo, Doja Cat, Blackpink, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Hoda Kotb, Christina Aguilera, Trixie Mattel, Serena Williams, the cast of strange things and the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever were also among the winners.

Other winners included businesses, content and campaigns from Apple TV, ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcast, Disney’s TikTok and Spotify’s Wrapped.

“This year’s Webby winners speak to the incredible potential of the Internet and the people who shape it,” Claire Graves, president of the Webby Awards, said in a statement. “They have set the bar for excellence in their respective categories and are an inspiration to all of us to strive for a more connected and creative digital world.”

Roy Wood Jr. hosts the Webby Awards ceremony to be held on Monday, May 15 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.

Special achievement winner

Webby Lifetime Achievement Award: Shigetaka Kurita, creator of emoji, for his significant contribution to global cultural zeitgeist and influence on the way we communicate.

Webby Breakthrough of the Year Award: ChatGPT, the breakthrough AI generative writing tool that created a digital phenomenon that is changing the way we work and create.

Webby Artist of the Year: SZA for the instant classic SOS, the true intent and thought she puts into her work, and for her brilliant use of the internet to share unique, brilliantly honest art.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tracee Ellis Ross for her ingenious use of the Internet to share multidimensional stories of belonging, increase black representation in the beauty industry, and serve as a constant, positive force.

Webby Podcast of the Year: SmartLesshonors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett for bringing nostalgia and laughter to listeners on their SmartLess Podcast.

Webby Best Actress: Sharon Horgan for capturing the internet’s attention with her award-winning Apple TV+ show bad sisterswhich she created, executive produced and starred in, and for her incredible career in comedy as the voice of radical confidence and razor-sharp humor.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Tobe Nwigwe for his innovative use of the Internet to create imaginative and engaging art, as featured on his album moMINTS and his role as “Nick” in the Netflix series Mo.

Webby Special Achievement Award: Under Bureau News for making the news accessible and understandable to young people through their candid, hard-working and concise reporting, all in bite-sized chunks on Tik Tok.

Highlight winner 2023

• Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 4 won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, Branded Entertainment (Video).

• The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – “America’s Door Problem” won the Webby Award for Comedy, General Video (Video).

• Recess Therapy’s “It’s Corn” won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Video Remixes/Mashups, General Video (Video)

• Trixie Mattel turns into Dr. Manhattan Wins Webby People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle General Video (Video)

• Christina Aguilera – Beautiful (2022 release) won the Webby Award for Music Video, Overall Video (Video)

• Discord won the Webby Award for Community, General Sites and Mobile Sites (Websites and Mobile Sites).

• Spotify’s Wrapped 2022 won the Webby Award for Best Mobile Visual Design – Aesthetics, Specific Features and Design for Mobile Devices (Websites and Mobile Sites)

• Google Store won the Webby Award for Best Mobile User Experience, Mobile-Specific Features and Design (Websites and Mobile Sites).

• Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty won the Webby Award for fashion and beauty, general social (social).

• Doja Cat x Taco Bell: A “Contractual” Partnership Wins Webby Award for Best Influencer or Creator Endorsement, Features (Social)

• My BTS Story won the Webby Award for Best Community Engagement, Features (Social)

• LIZZO’S BIG GIRLS | Month of History by Womxn | Animated social video won the Webby Award for Arts and Entertainment, Social Video (Social).

• Disney’s TikTok won the Webby Award for Entertainment, Overall Social (Social).

• HBO Max’s Negroni Sbagliato won the Webby Award for Best Use of Video, Features (Social)

• PinkVenomChallenge – YouTube Shorts x BLACKPINK won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Features (Social)

• Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won the Webby Award for TV, Film and Entertainment, Social Content Series (social)

• Pod Save America: Obama’s Advice to Democrats Wins Webby Award for Featured Guest, Single Episodes (Podcasts)

• ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts won the Webby Award for Sports, General Series (Podcasts)

• FIFA 23 x TED LASSO won the Webby Award for In-Game Integration, Custom (Advertising, Media and PR).

• Netflix Stranger Things Global Rift Takeover won the Webby Award for Experiential Marketing, Individual (Advertising, Media and PR)

• The Coors Light with Patrick Mahomes won the Webby Award for Best Partnership or Collaboration, Promotional Campaign (Advertising, Media and PR)

• Steak-umm Beef Sheets starring Jimmy Kimmel won the Webby Award for Digital Campaign, Promotional Campaigns (Ads, Media and PR).

• The Apple TV app won the Webby Award for Best Streaming or OTT Service, App Features (Apps, DApps and Software)

• Never Done Evolving with Serena Williams won the Webby Award for technical achievement, virtual video capabilities (Metaverse, Immersive and Virtual).

The full list of winners can be found here on the website.

Webby winners will be selected by IADAS. Members include Questlove, DJ and producer; Tan France, fashion designer, television personality and author; Natalie Guzman, co-chairman and general manager, Savage X Fenty; Werner Vogel CEO, Amazon; Roxanne Gay, Hostess, The Roxanne Gay Agenda; Quinta Brunson, writer, director and actress; Ziwe Fumudoh, comedian and writer; Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code; LeVar Burton, actor, podcaster and television host; Takashi Murakami, artist; Samantha Bee, comedian; and Tracy Chou, founder and CEO of Block Party.