With the 2027 Joy Awards reportedly set to be cancelled in Saudi Arabia, the future of the star-studded ceremony is now uncertain. The news comes as other major entertainment events, including the Red Sea International Film Festival and Soundstorm, have also been postponed or cancelled.
Before we know what’s next for the Joy Awards, we’re looking back at some of the most memorable — and slightly unexpected — moments from previous Joy Awards ceremonies.
Ahmed Ezz Had a Little Microphone Problem
When it was Ahmed Ezz’s turn on stage, he had to lean down to reach the microphone — a small detail that Mohamed Henedy clearly took note of.
Then, when Henedy had his own turn on stage, he came in with the perfect callback, jokingly wondering why Ezz had been bending down like that. A little height joke, courtesy of Henedy, and Ezz was very much the target.
Hannah El Zahed’s Matthew McConaughey Moment
Hannah El Zahed had a little help getting onto the stage when Matthew McConaughey stepped in to assist her.
But the moment quickly became less about the award and more about Hannah’s reaction to being helped by the Hollywood star. She was clearly fangirling — and honestly, who could blame her?
Rateel Alshehri Thanked Her Siblings… Then Called Them Out
When Rateel Alshehri took the stage to accept her award, she made sure to thank her siblings for being there for her.
She quickly followed that sweet moment by admitting that they had actually done absolutely nothing. A heartfelt thank-you turned into one of the ceremony’s most unexpectedly funny acceptance speeches.
Layla Al-Qahtani Wasn’t Leaving Without a “Siuuu”
After receiving her award, Layla Al-Qahtani made sure to tick one more thing off her list: performing Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous “Siuuu” on stage.
She even explained that she couldn’t leave without doing it, turning a standard acceptance speech into one of the ceremony’s more memorable moments.
Nancy Ajram’s Tiny Bag Had One Thing Inside
Nancy Ajram’s miniature bag became a moment of its own when it was revealed that the tiny accessory was carrying just one thing: a bonbon.
A very small bag, for a very specific purpose.
Menna Shalaby and Razane Jammal Had a Little Stage Mix-Up
While presenting an award, Menna Shalaby and Razane Jammal found themselves getting mixed up with their lines on stage.
The resulting exchange was a little awkward, but also one of those unscripted moments that made the ceremony feel much more human.
Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jung-jae Had a Slight Language Mishap
When Squid Game stars Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jung-jae took the stage to present an award for, “Ashghal Shaqqa Geddan” and they might have had a little difficulty saying the series’ name.
The attempt didn’t exactly go according to plan, making for one of the night’s more memorable award-presenting moments.
Ramez Galal’s Very Unmissable Mask
Ramez Galal, meanwhile, arrived in a look that was difficult to overlook — particularly the mask, which had a Tul8te-inspired shape, only with spikes.
It was very much a Ramez Galal red-carpet moment, and certainly one of the more distinctive looks of the evening.
Looking Back at the 2026 Joy Awards
With the 2027 Joy Awards reportedly facing cancellation, the Joy Awards previous ceremonies now stands out not just for their winners and performances, but for the unscripted moments that made the nights memorable. Whether the awards return after the reported pause or not, these are the moments that audiences will probably remember long after the trophies have been handed out.
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