NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a concert event honoring young community leaders from across the country, the 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards will feature a special appearance by pop icon Justin Bieber, and one-of-a-kind performances by Fifth Harmony, DNCE with lead singer Joe Jonas, Flo Rida, Tori Kelly and WALK THE MOON. The music superstars will join host, creator and executive producer Nick Cannon, along with stars of Nickelodeon’s hit shows, to celebrate four teens who are “Helping and Leading Others” (HALO) in their communities. The 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards, held at New York’s Pier 36, will be simulcast Sunday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons, TV Land, CMT, Nick.com and the Nick App.
“There’s no better way to begin the holiday season than by celebrating the amazing work of these four teens and our first HALO Hall of Fame recipient Justin Bieber at the Nickelodeon HALO Awards,” said Cannon. “Justin’s commitment to granting wishes for kids is unparalleled, and his ability to inspire and lead others through his positive actions is at the core of what HALO is all about.”
Bieber will be presented with the first-ever HALO Hall of Fame Award, an honor given to a celebrity who helps and leads others by making the world a better place, in recognition of his outstanding charitable work with Make-A-Wish® and Pencils of Promise. Bieber’s involvement with Make-A-Wish--the global organization which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions--has been longstanding. Since 2009, he has granted a wish at nearly every tour stop where he visits with wish kids and their families, takes photographs and signs autographs before they attend his concert. Over the last six years, he has granted more than 250 wishes for his fans. In addition, Bieber is a big supporter of Pencils of Promise, which works to build schools and increase educational opportunities in the developing world.
After a guest appearance at the 2014 Nickelodeon HALO Awards, platinum-selling girl group Fifth Harmony returns this year with their sing-along pop anthem “Worth It.” DNCE will perform the disco and funk fueled “Cake by the Ocean,” while multi-platinum recording artist Flo Rida is set to take the stage with a medley of his greatest hits and his new track “My House.” Rising star Tori Kelly will sing her latest hit single “Should’ve Been Us,” and WALK THE MOON will perform the chart-topping smash “Shut Up and Dance” along with “Different Colors.”
This year’s four Nickelodeon HALO Awards honorees are:
- Ethan Cruikshank, 16, Mechanicsville, Va. ‐ A guitar player since the age of seven, Ethan Cruikshank was inspired to start Music to My Ears after his school cut music education funding. Since then, Cruikshank’s music program has helped over 100 kids across four states by providing free music lessons through volunteer teachers and distributing instruments to those who can’t afford them.
- Riley Gantt, 15, Sherman Oaks, Calif. – Riley Gantt’s organization Rainbow Pack was born out of her desire to provide kids with the supplies they need to do their homework and be successful learners, regardless of their economic circumstances. With funds raised through fundraising, grants, social media and school supply drives, she has successfully donated over 9000 backpacks filled with school supplies to kids in the Los Angeles area.
- Joshua Williams, 14, Miami Beach, Fla. - Joshua Williams’ commitment to eradicate hunger started with a roadside donation to a starving man when he was four and a half years old. Through William’s organization, Joshua’s Heart Foundation, he designed a food distribution system in local churches, schools and community centers, and continues to raise awareness of hunger and poverty at speaking engagements. He has distributed over 1.1 million pounds of food in South Florida, Jamaica and Africa to date, and helped feed over 50,000 people nationwide.
- Ruchita Zaparde, 18, Plainsboro, N.J. ‐ After a family trip to India exposed Ruchita Zaparde to the plight of widows and the difficulties they faced, she started Sew A Future to help those women achieve financial stability by becoming seamstresses. Zaparde identifies widows in need in India, delivers sewing machines and supplies, and connects the kids who are fundraising in the U.S. to the recipients. Over 200 families have been raised out of poverty with the gift of a sewing machine, thanks to the fundraising efforts of over 1400 students in 30 states.
2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards will also feature appearances by stars from Nick’s hit series Bella and the Bulldogs (Brec Bassinger, Coy Stewart), Instant Mom (Sydney Park), 100 Things to Do Before High School (Isabela Moner), Every Witch Way (Rahart Adams) and Make It Pop (Megan Lee, Erika Tham, Louriza Tronco, Dale Whibley). The Nickelodeon stars will be put to the test in a series of in-show physical challenges that will help raise money for the organizations of the HALO Award honorees.
Beginning today, Nick.com/halo15 and the Nick App will be the official digital destinations for all things HALO. Kids can learn about the HALO Awards, watch videos featuring Nick Cannon and this year's performers, flip through photo galleries featuring their favorite musical acts, find out which celebs will have a front row seat to this year's concert event and score exclusive sneak peeks before the big show. On Nov. 29, kids will be able to watch the concert unfold through a live photo stream and simulcast.
Now in its seventh year, Nickelodeon HALO Awards is an annual awards show that recognizes real-life kids that are doing extraordinary things in their communities and “Helping and Leading Others” (HALO). In addition to being awarded a grant for their organization and scholarship funds, each HALO Award honoree is given an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and connect with celebrities that share their same passion for service.
Presenting sponsors of the 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards are Denny's, Spin Master and truth®. Each of this year’s sponsors will be raising awareness for their respective causes-- Denny’s Hungry for Education program, Spin Master’s The Toy Movement and the truth campaign--through interactive elements that will be integrated into the awards show.
The 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Awards is produced by Nickelodeon Productions. Nick Cannon, Elizabeth Kelly, Jay Schmalholz and Shelly Sumpter Gillyard are executive producers.
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
