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The 22nd Annual Webby Awards Honors Best of the Internet

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NEW YORK (FNN NEWS) - Recording Artist Swizz Beatz (left) presents an award to Jesse Williams at the 22nd Annual Webby Awards. Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Webby Awards
NEW YORK, NY (FNN NEWS) – Source: The Webby Awards // The Webby Awards honored the year’s biggest Internet visionaries and activists, celebrating the Winners and Honorees of the 22nd Annual Webby Awards with a star-studded ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on May 14. First-time Webby Awards host, Late Night comedian Amber Ruffin led the celebration to honor this year’s Webby Winners and Special Achievement Honorees, including David Letterman, actor Adam Sandler, #MeToo trailblazer Susan Fowler, actor and activist Jesse Williams, actress Laura Linney, Mozilla founder Mitchell Baker, March for Our Lives youth activists Naomi Wadler, Cameron Kasky, and John Barnitt, director Steven Soderbergh, Ugly Delicious creator David Chang, actor David Harbour, NFL player Chris Long, and artist FKA twigs.
Ruffin opened the show and won over the crowd with her unpredictable wit and humor. She pushed the envelope throughout the night, chronicling the year’s biggest moments on the Internet by channeling a Wakanda warrior in full costume and 80s drumming sensation Sheila E. to explain the intricacies of blockchain technology.
Brimming with powerful and memorable moments, the 22nd Annual Awards Show recognized the many innovators, trailblazers, entertainers, and fierce activists that captivated the Internet this year.
In a moving tribute to the March for Our Lives movement, Parkland students John Barnitt and Cameron Kasky and 11-year-old youth activist Naomi Wadler took to the stage to urge action against senseless and systematic gun violence, with Wadler imploring the audience to “please leave here as warriors.” Joining the chorus of voices on stage, dozens of young activists from Parkland and schools around the country shared their own five words in an emotional film.
The evening was capped off by a passionate presentation from acclaimed tech journalist Kara Swisher to former Uber engineer Susan Fowler for Webby Person of the Year. With a powerful tribute honoring the #MeToo movement and recognizing the noteworthy rallying cry that has been echoed in workplaces across the globe, Swisher lauded Fowler for having “the guts to step forward” and reminded the audience that “words matter.” Fowler accepted the award with the final standing ovation of the evening, declaring “Words can change the world.”
“Tonight’s Webby honorees remind us once again what it means for it to be up to us,” said Webby Media Group CEO David-Michel Davies.
Additional highlights from this year’s Webby Awards Show include:
Long-time king of late night television and current host of his own hit Netflix series, David Letterman accepted a Webby Special Achievement Award with his signature humor, while wiping away imaginary tears, saying “Thank you. Tears of Joy.”
Mitchell Baker, a fierce champion of Internet freedom and an open source pioneer, accepted the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award from CNN tech correspondent Laurie Segall. Ever the defender of an open, collaborative Internet community, Baker accepted her award with a galvanizing 5-Word speech: “Demand better of the Internet.”
Actor Isaiah Mustafa, the comedic face of Old Spice, presented the Webby for Best Actor to David Harbour for his role as Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix smash hit Stranger Things. Harbour accepted the award, saying “Net neutrality, you greedy dickheads.”
Actress Laura Linney accepted the Webby for Best Actress from her friend and former co-star Liam Neeson for her gripping role in the binge-worthy Netflix original series Ozark, saying “Kindness is not a weakness.”
Former Webby Winner Steve Buscemi presented his The Week Of co-star Adam Sandler with a Webby Special Achievement Award, congratulating Netflix on “having the smarts to hire Adam.” Sandler accepted the Webby Award for his creative success and standout performances in a slate of new Netflix original films and quipped “How about that fucking chicken?”
Prolific director Steven Soderbergh accepted the Webby Award for Film & Video Person of the Year from two stars of Mosaic, Frederick Weller and Jennifer Ferrin, saying “Find new doors. Open them.”
Culinary legend David Chang accepted a Webby Special Achievement Award for his Netflix instant hit Ugly Delicious from Bon Appétit Editor Adam Rapoport, saying “MSG is good for you.”
Hip-hop sensation Swizz Beatz presented actor Jesse Williams with the Webby Special Achievement Award for bringing diversity to apps and entertainment through his chart-topping app BLeBRiTY. Williams accepted his award with: “Afraid? Okay. Do it afraid.”
Artist FKA twigs accepted the Webby Special Achievement Award from actress Dominique Fishback for her groundbreaking contributions to digital culture and said in spoken and sign language: “Treat people kindly. Start now.”
NFL defensive end Chris Long accepted the Webby Award for Best Athlete of the Year for his work on and off the football field and said “Still collecting my playoff checks.”
Other notable 5-Word Speeches include:
Isiah Thomas: “The slow grind never stops.”
The Museum of Ice Cream: “I’m lactose intolerant. Don’t tell.”
Jimmy Kimmel: “Thank you, assholes on Twitter.”
National Geographic: “The planet needed a win.”
Jimmy O. Yang: “Wow, I can’t follow Letterman.”
HBO GO: “My HBO GO password is…”
Prison Diaries: “Don’t get arrested. Trust me.”
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory: “We’ve got space for everyone.”
BBC: “Life isn’t just about algorithms.”
Dylan Marron: “To my childhood bullies. Thanks.”
E! Online: “Everyone deserves to be beautiful.”
S-Town: “Remember, life’s tedious and brief.”

Deray McKesson: “Ain’t no justice, no peace.”

 

Fans can watch this year’s Webby Awards celebration at WebbyAwards.com.

Entertainment

Blue Man Group Orlando Launches $25 Kids Ticket Offer at ICON Park Through Dec. 31

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Families can enjoy Blue Man Group Orlando for less this summer and fall thanks to a new ticket promotion that allows children to attend performances for $25 with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.

The limited-time offer is available for online purchases through Dec. 31, 2026, making one of Orlando’s newest live entertainment attractions more affordable for families.

Special Kids Ticket Offer

Under the promotion, guests who purchase a full-priced adult ticket may purchase a children’s ticket for $25.

The offer is valid for performances:

  • Monday through Thursday
  • Fridays at 5 p.m.

The promotion is not valid for:

  • Saturday performances
  • Sunday performances
  • Fridays at 8 p.m.

New Orlando Production at ICON Park

Blue Man Group opened its new resident production at ICON Park in May inside a custom-built theater located along Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district.

The production blends music, comedy, technology and audience participation, while featuring many of the signature moments fans expect from Blue Man Group alongside new material created exclusively for the Orlando production.

Global Entertainment Phenomenon

Since debuting in 1991 at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, Blue Man Group has entertained more than 50 million people worldwide through resident productions and international tours.

The show continues to expand with performances in Orlando, Las Vegas, touring productions across North America and an upcoming tour in Japan.

Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

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Central Florida News

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Presents ‘HYPE HAIR’ Exhibit by Peppermint Sandy in Downtown Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs will present “HYPE HAIR,” a new exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Peppermint Sandy, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center in downtown Orlando.

The exhibit will be on display from June 11 through June 25, 2026, showcasing Sandy’s wearable sculptures and mixed-media works that explore beauty, fashion, culture, and identity through the lens of Black hair and lived experiences.

Opening Reception Scheduled June 11

An opening reception will be held Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Orange County Administration Center.

  • Doors open at 5 p.m.
  • Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
  • Admission is free
  • Advance registration is requested

Exploring Beauty, Culture and Identity

Peppermint Sandy is a multidisciplinary artist whose work incorporates fabric, hair, textiles, and mixed media to examine cultural and societal perceptions of beauty, fashion, and personal identity.

“HYPE HAIR is a series of wearable sculptures inspired by not just my relationship with Black hair, but a dedication and love letter to all Black women and girls everywhere with our hair as well,” Sandy said. “From the beginning of time, Black hair is not only art, but a form of communication.”

The exhibition highlights the artistic, historical, and cultural significance of Black hair while celebrating self-expression and identity through contemporary art.

Exhibit Information

The exhibition will remain on display through June 25, 2026, in the Atrium Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center, located at 201 S. Rosalind Ave. in downtown Orlando.

The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

The exhibit is presented by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs as part of its ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and cultural perspectives throughout Central Florida.

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Entertainment

USF Credit Union Named Presenting Sponsor of ‘Rainbow To Your Door’ With $5,000 Challenge Match Grant

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The production team behind Rainbow To Your Door announced that USF Credit Union has joined the upcoming theatrical production as its Presenting Sponsor, accompanied by a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant aimed at encouraging community support and helping fully fund the project.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to arts, education, and community engagement across Central Florida. Organizers say the challenge grant will match community contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000, helping expand public access and educational opportunities connected to the production.

Original Play Celebrates Florida’s Artistic Legacy

Rainbow To Your Door is an original stage production written by Los Angeles-based playwright Kenneth Brown. The play is inspired by the historic friendship and artistic exchange between acclaimed author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston and artist Jules André Smith.

Set in 1938 at the historic Maitland Art Center, the production explores the challenges, triumphs, and purpose of artists navigating a rapidly changing world while preserving their creative voices.

“This partnership represents more than sponsorship. It is an investment in storytelling, culture, and preserving the legacy of artistic voices that helped shape Florida’s creative identity,” Brown said. “We are incredibly grateful to USF Credit Union for believing in this vision and helping us create meaningful community impact through the arts.”

Challenge Match Campaign Aims to Fully Fund Production

As part of the sponsorship, USF Credit Union will provide a $5,000 Challenge Match Grant to encourage community participation and charitable giving. Production organizers say that once the matching goal is reached, Rainbow To Your Door will be fully funded.

Donations generated through the campaign will support expanded accessibility initiatives, educational programming, community outreach, and audience engagement efforts associated with the production.

“USF Credit Union is proud to support initiatives that enrich the communities we serve,” said Rick Skaggs, CEO of USF Credit Union. “Rainbow To Your Door reflects the power of culture, education, and the arts to inspire meaningful conversations and strengthen community connections.”

Production Scheduled for October 2026

Media relations and promotional efforts for the production are being coordinated by Fierce Entertainment.

Rainbow To Your Door is scheduled for Oct. 10–11, 2026, at the Timucua Arts Foundation in Orlando.

Additional information regarding ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and the community challenge campaign will be announced in the coming weeks.

Media Contact:
Rob Henlon
Fierce Entertainment
rob@alwaysfierce.com

For sponsorship information and production updates, visit Rainbow To Your Door.

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