Influencer marketing has undoubtedly changed the beauty industry in recent years—and now there’s an award show to commend the talented artists behind our favorite looks who are positively influencing and inspiring their followers all over the world. The inaugural American Influencer Awards, which celebrates social media influencers in categories spanning hair, nails and makeup, took place on November 18, 2017, at The Novo theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. The show was put on by the American Influencer Association, in collaboration with Creative Age Publications’ Beauty Launchpad magazine and The Kirschner Group.
“Influencers are so powerful these days and so influential, and there wasn’t a platform to recognize that,” said Christopher Crellin, CEO and founder of American Influencer Association. “… These people are very influential and they deserve to be recognized for their excellence.”
Kandee Johnson (@kandeejohnson) and Patrick Simondac (@PatrickStarrr) hosted the show, and managed to keep the crowd entertained while flaunting their glamorous ball gowns and getting through 25 award categories. Notable winners included Mario Dedivanovic (@makeupbymario) for the 2017 Celebrity Makeup Artist of the Year), Nikkie de Jager (@nikkietutorials) for the 2017 International Makeup Artist of the Year, Jaclyn Hill (@jaclynhill) for the 2017 Makeup Tutorialist of the Year and Manny Gutierrez (@mannymua733) for the 2017 Makeup Influencer of the Year. The ceremony even included musical performances by pop artist Ricky Rebel and singer Alisan Porter, the season 10 winner of “The Voice.”
One of the highlights of the show was when Caitlin Herron, the only survivor and one of three children in the U.S. to ever be diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called BPDCN, accepted the 2017 Spirit of Courage Award. “I would like to dedicate this award to all the pediatric patients who are fighting for their lives. Stay strong and courageous because I know there will be a cure for cancer,” Herron said in her acceptance speech. The net proceeds for the event benefited the City of Hope, a well-recognized cancer treatment and research center.
For more information on the American Influencer Awards, visit aiaawards.com.