Global Citizen Prize aired Friday night on NBC, making the awards show’s worldwide broadcast debut.
People across the US tuned in to the broadcast to see stunning music performances from Jennifer Hudson, Stormzy, John Legend, Sting, and special guests Chris Martin, H.E.R. and Jorja Smith.
Activists and leaders were honored for their contributions in the effort to end extreme poverty. The Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed won the prize for World Leader of the Year for her work to promote the Sustainable Development Goals around the world. Sting won Artist of the Year prize for his decades of work to preserve the rainforests.
Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya was honored as Business Leader of the Year for his work to improve the lives of refugees through his business and around the world. Filmmaker and activist Richard Curtis won Global Citizen of the Year for his work to promote the Global Goals. And Priya Prakesh, a 28-year-old woman from India, won the Cisco Youth Leadership Award for founding HealthSetGo, a health program for students in India.
According to Deadline, more than 2 million viewers tuned into the NBC broadcast, which kicked off a series of airings around the world. The show aired on SKY in the UK on Saturday, with it set to air on MSNBC, MTV, and Multichoice networks through the rest of December.
Find more information on how you can watch Global Citizen Prize here.
Here’s a round-up of the best reactions and coverage of the awards show so far.
Yeeessssss!!!! Iconic!! Love you FAVORITE!!! ‼️❤️🔥🔥🔥 @HERMusicx@GlblCtzn@OfficialStingpic.twitter.com/dmItsoaMHZ
— PDimples84👑 (@PDimples128) December 21, 2019
If you want to refresh your brain and feel good for a change, turn off the news & reality shows and switch to the #GlobalCitizen Prize on @NBC. 🌎🌍🌏 #Environment#HumanRights
— Chet Powell (@ChetPowell) December 21, 2019
@GlblCtzn I needed this show tonight. This is the news that we all need to watch. @hamdiulukaya Businesses with a multiple bottom line, beginning with PEOPLE, purpose & planet.
— Judy MacIsaac Robertson (@harvestlimited) December 21, 2019
Watching the global citizen’s awards. So inspiring, yet so much work to do! This is why I love my job, because every day, every month, year after year I get to engage with great minds who show up to make a difference in the world! Thank you for being the true Volunteer spirit!
— Gretchen Neisler (@Gretchen_n) December 21, 2019
I'm watching the global citizen awards! My first time watching. I'm impressed with all the people who have hearts to help others the best that they can! I'm so happy to see what people are doing for others in need!
— Maya Shearer (@MayaShearer) December 21, 2019
Global Citizen awards tonight!! Cisco center stage. Thank you for all that you have done to care for our world.
— CharlieGCCollins (@livewire13) December 21, 2019
Watching Global Citizen Award om NBC, inspiring people for sure. Reasons for HOPE.
— Dogsbark2 (@dogsbark2) December 21, 2019
I am watching the Global Citizen Prize on NBC. The founder of Chobani Yogurt is a man who is to be admired for helping refugees and immigrants who need jobs. He among others have taken the prize for their efforts around the world to improve our planet and its people.
— Nancy A. Kenner (@KennerNancy) December 21, 2019