Anthony Edwards gave Justin Bieber the trophy, and Bieber gave the Believe That Awards something even better: an acceptance message that explained why this ridiculous category actually resonates.
The singer won White Boy of the Year during the show’s second edition on October 14, succeeding Timothée Chalamet and finishing ahead of Tom Holland, Erling Haaland, Robert Pattinson, and Travis Kelce, Variety reports. A loaded ballot produced a perfectly defensible winner.
“This is special. Everyone knows how influenced I am by Black culture, and this one’s sweet,” Bieber said in his recorded message.
That acknowledgment supplies the strongest argument for his selection. Edwards can turn the category into a running joke while the recipient recognizes something meaningful underneath it. Bieber understood both parts.
Before the ceremony, my slight preference went to Pattinson for his film work, with Haaland close behind after his extraordinary World Cup. The result doesn’t make those arguments disappear. It does make a good case for judging this particular award through Edwards’ perspective.
Justin Bieber has been named ‘White Boy of the Year’ by Anthony Edwards at the 2026 Believe That Awards.
Justin sent a video accepting the award! pic.twitter.com/tpNk4rWAa4
— Bieber Crave (@BiebCrave) October 15, 2026
Justin Bieber had the performances to back up the personality
Bieber arrived with more than an appreciative speech. After releasing SWAG and SWAG II in 2025, he carried that momentum into a year featuring Coachella and the World Cup final.
His April Coachella appearances included SZA, Big Sean, and Tems among his guests. During the second weekend, Billie Eilish joined him during “One Less Lonely Girl,” while SZA performed “Snooze” with him.
Those appearances gave the nomination a musical foundation. You could debate the nominees’ relative star power all night, but Bieber had actual performances to put on the table.
He followed Coachella with the World Cup final’s first halftime show on July 19. Bieber performed “Everything Hallelujah” acoustically, changing the closing words to reference the tournament.
Festival audiences and a World Cup crowd gave him very different settings. Together, those stages help explain why his victory feels reasonable even against this field.
Then came the response to Edwards.
“Mr. Anthony Edwards himself honoring me with the White Boy of the Year award. Man, thank you, bro,” Bieber said. “I appreciate you guys. I’ll tap in with you guys soon.”
He couldn’t join Edwards in person, but he participated without treating the category like something beneath him. That matters to the entertainment value. The joke works better when a superstar accepts the invitation and enjoys it.
Classic performance 🎭 by Wizkid, Tems & Justin Bieber singing “Essence” at Coachella main stage 🇺🇸 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FJm4kG8JSe
— ❂ Yübbîę Umoh ❂ (@Yubbie007) October 15, 2026
A strong field makes Bieber’s win more interesting
Holland, Pattinson, Haaland, and Kelce gave this category enough material for a real argument. Bieber didn’t need weak competition to make sense as the winner.
Holland brought a domestic blockbuster in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which Box Office Mojo listed at approximately $955.2 million earlier this month. That figure alone explained why he belonged on the ballot.
Pattinson’s case rested on his run through The Drama, The Odyssey, and Primetime, with Dune: Part Three still scheduled for December 18. He offered several projects to discuss before that fourth film even arrived.
Haaland delivered seven World Cup goals as Norway reached the quarterfinals, according to UEFA. His tournament gave the award a contender whose defining achievement involved carrying his country’s ambitions onto an enormous stage.
Kelce offered a different kind of headline. He married Taylor Swift at Madison Square Garden on July 3, with a purpose-built indoor garden, personal vows, and a Stevie Nicks performance.
Comparing those accomplishments requires some flexibility. No sensible scoring system converts a movie’s ticket sales into World Cup goals and then measures both against a wedding.
Fortunately, Edwards doesn’t need one.
My preference for Pattinson reflected the amount of work he delivered. Haaland’s summer made him difficult to overlook. Bieber’s combination of music, major performances, and appreciation for the recognition gave Edwards an equally credible choice.
Article Continues BelowThe disagreement gives the category life. Five famous names become five different ideas about what makes a memorable year.
Anthony Edwards understands the appeal of his own awards
The rest of the winners reinforced the show’s range. Michael B. Jordan earned Iconic Performance of the Year, Druski claimed Main Character of the Year, and IShowSpeed received Creator of the Year.
Jaden McDaniels collected Stood on Bidness, while LaMelo Ball received Bring Ya Ass. Coco Gauff took the Beauty and The Beast honor for her achievements on and off the field, and 50 Cent received the lifetime achievement recognition.
PrizePicks presented the special, which Edwards produced through Three Fifths Media with Wheelhouse and Portal A. According to Variety, the inaugural edition generated 150 million views across platforms.
That reach gives this year’s celebrity participation some context. Edwards has already demonstrated that people will watch his version of an awards show.
“We brought together the biggest names in the game to chop it up, have fun and celebrate real greatness on our own terms,” he said.
Bieber’s acceptance captured that idea. He thanked Edwards, acknowledged Black culture’s influence, and embraced an honor whose name practically guarantees a double take.
Pattinson still had my vote. Bieber made it easy to respect Edwards’ choice.