WIBA Awards 2024: Turkish chef and restaurateur Burak Ozdemir wins the Grand Prix de l’Influenceur at Cannes

The WIBA Awards recognize the most influential personalities on social networks. This glamorous annual event took place in the salons of the legendary Hôtel Martinez during the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, on Friday May 24, 2024. The timing was ideal, benefiting from the notoriety of the International Film Festival (FIF) and the Monaco Motor Grand Prix, which took place on the same day, Sunday May 26.

 

The eagerly-awaited gala brought together influencers and their friends from all over the world. It was a predominantly young audience, featuring some of the most beautiful women on the planet, dressed in spectacular gowns that were no match for the stars of the Cannes Film Festival. A jet-set yet friendly atmosphere punctuated the evening, with equal numbers of men and women in attendance.

 

This event was initiated by the World Influencers and Bloggers Association (WIBA) for the first time in 2019. It is the first and only international award for personalities present on social networks who are particularly active in their field (beauty, fashion, sport, animal causes, art, gastronomy, travel, music…).

 

WIBA is a network that brings together influencers and bloggers from the four corners of the globe: Cannes, London, New York, Dubai, Hong Kong, Bombay, Mauritius… With all its members, it totals over 200 million followers.

 

Mariia Grazhina Chaplin, founder and president of WIBA, explains on her platform: “We want to transform the potential of influencers into a far-reaching power of action to change the world for the better and contribute to universal peace, justice and equal opportunities for all. Influencers share a part of themselves, of their lives, communicate, make an impact, connect with their audience to help others and inspire them to act.”

 

The Esteriore brothers, voted best entertainment influencers at the WIBA Awards 2024 ©Corine Moriou

 

The evening kicked off with a welcome on the “blue carpet”, followed by a cocktail reception and the customary pose – optional, of course, for those accompanying the winners – in front of the photo wall to preserve the memorable moments.

 

Guests at the WIBA Awards 2024 ©Corine Moriou

 

Dinner was placed, each guest finding a small card indicating his or her table and chair. Surprise: we were at a table of Ukrainians, Russians, Estonians, Swiss and French. Of course, English was the usual language of communication. Throughout dinner, the awards ceremony took place. And there were many of them!

 

The WIBA 2024 Grand Prix was awarded to Burak Ozdemir, who goes by the pseudonym CZN Burak and has 129 million followers on social networks. This Turkish chef and restaurateur rose to fame in the early 2020s by posting videos on Instagram and Tik Tok . He shares recipes that are often cooked in large quantities and in good spirits! In March 2022, the Turkish chef teamed up with soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo to open a restaurant in London. He succeeds Mexican tiktokeuse Domelipa, who has 66 million followers and is known for her playback and lifestyle videos.

 

Turkish chef and restaurateur Burak Ozdemir wins the Grand Prix at the WIBA Awards 2024 © WIBA

 

Also on the catwalk was the much-touted Coco Rocha, 35, in a sculptural gown for the occasion. This Canadian model has walked the catwalks of some of the world’s top designers and graced the covers of numerous fashion magazines. She is a business icon and a campaigner for women’s emancipation, married to decorator James Conran.

 

Lena Situations, 26, won the award for Lifestyle Motivation and Encouragement.

 

Without a doubt, influencers (what we used to call opinion leaders) are necessarily Instagrameurs, Youtubeurs and bloggers present on X, Tik Tok, Spotify… Without these new networks, these Web stars wouldn’t have such an impact with a public of fans and brands looking for relays.

 

The highlight of the evening was a performance by Sonique, known for her 2000s hit “It feels so good”, which drew rapturous applause.

 

Business icon and women’s empowerment campaigner Coco Rocha poses with a guest at the Wiba Awards 2024 ©Corine Moriou

 

All WIBA 2024 winners

 

Burak Ozdemir: GRAND PRIX

Coco Rocha: Model, business icon and activist for women’s emancipation

Lena Situations: “Motivation & encouragement Lifestyle influencer”.

Alexandre Maras: Most influential journalist on social networks in 2024

Hyram: Best beauty expert

Mohamed Cheikh: Winner of the French contest in the “gastronomy” category

Reem Khabbazeh: Most influential personality in the Middle East

Lee Levi: Influential actress

Maxim Ivanchuk: Best influencer in aesthetic medicine

The Esteriore brothers: Best entertainment influencer

Max Mariola: Best Food influencer

Sasha Ray: Best Fashion & Lifestyle Influencer

Jeff Hamilton: Best Celebrity Stylist

Pietro Checchi: New face of Tik Tok in Italy

Marcello D’Onofrio: Leader in celebrity empowerment management

Nadine Mirada: Influential European model

Daniel Asante: Influential model on social networks

Alex & Tom: Best education influencers

Elena Hazinah: Best beauty influencer

Francine Ehlke: Best Latin American Influencer

Urbashi Rautela: Influential Indian star

 

Read also > A spectacular evening at the Palais Bulles: Jacques Rougerie, oceanographer-architect, receives the Bulles Pierre Cardin 2024 Honorary Award

Featured Photo: the winners of the WIBA Awards 2024 at the Hôtel Martinez, May 24, 2024 ©Corine Moriou

Corine Moriou was a senior reporter for the L'Express group for 15 years. Today, she works as a freelance journalist in the fields of culture, well-being and escape. Never blasé, always ready!

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