The Youth View Awards (YVAs) turns 10 in 2017 and as part of their celebration the team went on a cross-island YVA Nation Fan Love Tour. teenAGE was there for the show. Along with showing some love to their loyal fans, the crew was also seeking out someone to share the red carpet with Bella Blair at the 10th staging of the YVAs on February 18, 2017 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The love started in Mandeville on October 22, which you can experience in the video above. 

Then on to Kingston it was, where the Jamaica Yellow Pages dancers, YVAs’ Hype Crew, Bella Blair and Quite Perry kept the sizable crowd of young, hot and hype people excited for hours on end.

Twelve Kingston contestants thought they were young, hot and hype enough to co-host the red carpet event with Bella Blair come February 18th, and they tried their hand at mock interviews on stage to get some love from the crowd.

Despite their differences in age and  current occupation (from 9-5s to the regular college grind), all the contestants had heard about the Youth View Awards’ search for a co-host, figured they’d be perfect for the job and showed up to prove themselves right.

Jenelle (23), Kadeem, and Jabari (21) talked to teenAGE about what compelled them to audition and what makes them so different from the other contestants.

Jeanelle McLean, a student of the University of Technology, says that she is genuine, has good energy and loves the YVAs because they are a great platform for youth.

Kadeem Brown says he has “the three ‘Vs’: vim, vibe and vigour.”

Jabari Henry, meanwhile, is passionate about media and entertainment and as far as he’s concerned that makes him the perfect co-host.

Most of all the young contestants: Anastascia, Kabari, Jabari, Kimone, Rahiem, Shanalee, Nickolas, Kadeem and Jeanelle, Junior, Trevor and Sonielle were all young, fun and spirited.

Westmoreland was next, and they were no less spirited. 

The afternoon was packed with entertainment as auditions continued for Bella’s co-host. The energetic YVA Hype Crew dancers warmed up the crowd and kept supporters on edge. teenAGE. He said,

Many people won gift vouchers, gift baskets and tickets to the 2017 staging of the YVAs. Fans had the opportunity to take professional pictures with friends and family via photoshoot, thanks to PopUp Studio. Those who were brave enough even had the chance to sing their favourite songs on stage (microphone and all).

2014 On the Verge contest winner, Dejour had performed for the ladies and it was well received. Jamaica’s very own, Bones the Contortionist, displayed his mind-boggling stretching capabilities. He definitely wowed everyone by dislocating several joints, and realigning them without loss of gusto. Ouch.

Marketing Consultant at the Jamaica Yellow Pages Ltd (JYP), Joel Nomdarkham, had a moment with

“This is our third year with the YVAs, and we are very pleased to see the work being done by the group. Supporting youth-related initiatives has always been a mandate of the JYP, and we are happy to have toured around Jamaica with such a dynamic and energetic group through the YVAS Fan Love Tour.

We were really treated to some great talents around our country. We are excited to see what’s in store for the 2017 YVAs, celebrating 10 years.”