It was time of year again where art connoisseurs, artists, celebrities, culture fanatics, fashionistas, and the social elite alike descended upon Miami’s South Beach & Art district for the Art Affair of the year; Art Basel. The week was jam packed with cohesive social events combining music, beauty, libations, imagination, and artistry.
The NewNowNext Awards was the opening event for Art Basel and it was nothing short of amazing. Held at the marvelous Kimpton Surfcomber Miami on Collins ave., the event was held in the hotels backyard on the pool giving a very Miami feel. The host & announcers jumped between 2 platforms, the main stage which was situated at the back of the pool and the announcer platform “floating” in the middle. The show had a lot of energy and the host Darren Criss was personable, engaging, and entertaining. The Celebrity DJ Joe Jonas as always was a sight to see gaining much affection from the crowd throughout the evening. Live performances by Betty Who singing “Somebody Loves You” and “All of You”, Kristin Chenoweth performing a spectacular rendition of “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret” and Jessie J graced the stage and delivered an energetic performance of her new hit single “Burning Up”. Nothing could ruin the energy of this show not even the rain and believe me it tried. About an hour after the show began a light rain cascaded through the event, however you could not tell by the crowd. No one left their seats and the energy didn’t fault in the slightest. The NewNowNext Awards definitely set the tone for the week to come.
The winners of the night are as follows:
Television:
Best New Television Series
Looking
Best New Television Actor
Jonathan Groff, Looking
Best New Television Actress
Lorraine Toussaint, Orange is the New Black
Best New Television Personality
Bianca Del Rio, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Film:
Best Motion Picture By a New Filmmaker
Dear White People, Justin Simien
Best New Screenwriter
Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl
Best New Lead Film Actor
Ansel Elgort, The Fault In Our Stars
Best New Lead Film Actress
Natalie Dormer, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Music:
Best New Musician (Male)
Sam Smith
Best New Musician (Female)
Betty Who
Best New Music Group
A Great Big World
Theater:
Best New Broadway Production (Musical)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Best New Broadway Production (Play)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best New Broadway Lead Actor
Alexander Sharp, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Best New Broadway Lead Actress
Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in The Sun
Fashion:
Best New Fashion Designer
Rachel Mansur & Floriana Gavriel, Mansur Gavriel
Literature:
Best New Author (Fiction)
Mira Jacob, The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing
Art:
Best New Art Exhibition
Kara Walker, A Subtlety
Social Influencers:
Best New Social Influencer (Male)
Troye Sivan, YouTube: Troye Sivan
Best New Social Influencer (Female)
Brittany Furlan, Vine: Brittany Furlan