Bigo Live, a global leader in live streaming and entertainment, hosted North America’s first ever Bigo Awards Gala in Hollywood on July 15 at the iconic Paramount Pictures.
The premiere event was appropriately themed “Realize Your Dreams,” and it did not disappoint as Bigo Live creators from across the world gathered to accept awards, perform their musical talents, and more at this invite-only soiree that commenced with a red carpet entrance. After attendees were escorted into the Paramount Theater, which was draped with a mix of Hollywood memorabilia and Bigo Live signage, they were met by an incredible set by award-winning DJ ER to kick the night off.
“To put on such a successful award show truly shows how close knit Bigo Live’s creators really are,” says Yvonne Feng, the platform’s vice president. “Live streaming has proven to be unlike any other social media channel by bringing its creators together in a collective space to be their authentic selves and collaborate in ways never thought possible. What better place to honor the future entertainers than by hosting an awards show to honor and celebrate these dedicated and talented people?”
Launched in March 2016, Bigo Live has more than 400 million users in over 150 countries that represent 23 different languages.
Talents from all regions of the world including South America, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and North America were showcased throughout the night; with creators sending in video messages of thanks and praise along with in person award acceptances, all broken up in between by special performances by Bigo Live’s most influential broadcasters.
The evening was co-hosted by public figure Dwight Allen O’Neal and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Gia Gunn.
“Bigo Live has really changed my life,” O’Neal says. “It has been such a great experience, so to be a part of the first big award gala here in the U.S.A. is pretty awesome.”
Gunn agrees.
“I’m not on the Bigo Live platform nearly as much as I should be, but I’ve definitely done a few lives and did their Beauty Week livestream, which went very well,” she says. “I think that’s why they chose me to co-host this event, and I am so excited and honored. Honestly, this was my first time hosting something like this in person.”
O’Neal joined Bigo Live in 2020 after quitting his job to pursue his entertainment aspirations.
“I’ve always wanted to be a talk show host,” he explains. “After I left my job, I started a podcast, and then something called the global pandemic hit two weeks later. Around the same time, a friend of mine was telling me about this app called Bigo Live. I remember going on, and I was like, ‘What the heck is this?’ I was so confused, but I connected with someone who is now my agent, and he explained everything about the app and how I could turn this into a lucrative career. Now, I host a daytime talk show called Good Morning Bigo Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. EST. Think Wendy Williams meets Oprah!”
The duo encourages anyone and everyone to download the Bigo Live app and check it out.
“This is a great platform to see people in a non-edited way,” Gunn says. “It’s also great to be able to connect with people internationally and gain new followers that you possibly wouldn’t stumble upon other platforms.”
“Bigo Live really creates a platform where any influencer can be successful,” O’Neal adds. “Oftentimes on other apps like TikTok, Instagram, and even YouTube, you have to already be kind of known or find a niche. Bigo Live creates a platform and algorithm where anyone is going to get visibility. Whether there are five people in your life or 100,000 people in your life, you have the opportunity to still be found, which is great. We have the alphabet mafia, the ballroom community, influencers, dancers, theater—There’s a wide variety of everyone.”
Bigo Live is available to download on the App Store and Google Play. Stay up-to-date and connect with O’Neal by following him @onealappeal on Bigo and Instagram, or visit his official website, onealappeal.com. Gunn can be found on Instagram @gia_gunn and TikTok @gia_gunn3.
Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Wu and Denny Patterson
