The Truth About Youth Acting Awards
Every few months, this topic gets brought up, receives tense comments and clarity is often not obtained.
One parent says these awards are a wonderful experience. Another says they’re a complete waste of money. Someone proudly shares a photo of their child holding a trophy. Someone else posts articles warning families to stay away.
A hundred comments later…
…everyone is somehow more confused than when the conversation started.
So let’s cut through the noise.
Before you start pricing tiny tuxedos or rehearsing an acceptance speech in the bathroom mirror, let’s have an honest conversation about what these awards are, what they aren’t, and where they actually fit in a young actor’s career.
First Things First: Are These Awards Legitimate?
Technically, Yes.
Let’s get that out of the way immediately.
The Young Artist Awards (YAA) have existed since 1978 and were originally created to recognize young performers in film and television.
The Young Entertainer Awards (YEA) are a separate organization that was established years later with a similar mission of recognizing youth performers.
These are real organizations.
They host real award ceremonies.
Real kids win trophies.
Many nominees do have legitimate professional credits.
Some agents and managers submit clients for consideration.
So if you’re asking, “Are these organizations real?”
The answer is yes.
But…
That’s actually the wrong question.
The Better Question
Instead ask this:
How much do these awards matter to the people who actually hire actors?
Because that’s the only question that really affects your child’s career.
In nearly three decades working as an actor, talent manager, coach, and industry professional, I’ve never once heard a casting director say,
“We’re bringing this kid in because they won a Young Artist Award.”
I’ve never heard an agent sign someone because they had one on their résumé.
I’ve never watched a producer bump an actor to the top of the pile because they collected another trophy.
Hollywood doesn’t work that way.
It never has.
Actors book jobs because they consistently deliver outstanding auditions.
That’s still the currency.
Recognition Isn’t the Same as Opportunity
This is one of the hardest lessons parents learn.
Recognition feels good.
Opportunity pays the bills.
They’re not the same thing.
Your child could win three youth awards this year and never book another television role.
Another child may never receive a single award and quietly build an incredible career starring on network television.
Casting directors don’t hire trophies.
They hire performances.
That’s not me being cynical.
That’s just how this business works.
Can These Awards Still Be Worth It?
Absolutely.
And I think this is where the internet often gets it wrong.
If your family attends because your child wants to:
dress up,
walk a red carpet,
celebrate a great year,
meet other acting families,
take pictures,
and make memories…
I honestly don’t have a problem with that.
Kids love being celebrated.
Parents love seeing their children celebrated.
There’s something genuinely special about putting on nice clothes, hearing your child’s name announced, and watching them feel proud of their hard work.
There is real value in creating memories.
Just understand what you’re buying.
You’re buying an experience.
Not a career accelerator.
Those are two very different things.
Let’s Talk About the Money
Here’s where my “Hollywood Dad Reality Check” kicks in.
By the time many families factor in airfare, hotel rooms, event tickets, outfits, meals, transportation, professional hair and makeup, and a little souvenir shopping because… well… you’re already there…
this can easily become a $1,000-$3,000 weekend.
That’s real money.
Now ask yourself one question.
Would that same money make a bigger impact if it went toward:
outstanding acting classes,
private coaching,
updated headshots,
better self-tape equipment,
creating professional demo material,
or future travel for actual auditions?
Personally?
I’d choose those investments every single time.
Not because awards are bad.
Because training has a return on investment.
A trophy usually doesn’t.
“But My Agent Submitted Me…”
Great.
Some agents do.
Many don’t.
Neither decision tells you much.
Some representatives see these awards as a fun opportunity for clients.
Others don’t think they’re worth the time.
Both opinions exist inside the professional industry.
That’s why you’ll hear completely different advice from different reps.
Another Reality Check: These Aren’t Comprehensive Industry Awards
There’s another piece of this conversation that rarely gets mentioned.
Unlike the Oscars, Emmys, or SAG Awards—which begin with a defined pool of eligible productions and are voted on by thousands of experienced industry professionals—these youth awards don’t represent every outstanding child performance from the previous year.
In many cases, nominations depend on who submits. Some agents and managers actively nominate their clients. Others don’t participate at all. That means the pool of nominees is shaped not only by talent, but also by who enters the process.
As a result, you’ll sometimes see categories filled with performances from independent projects or short films that many industry professionals have never heard of, while remarkable performances from major television series or studio films are absent altogether.
That doesn’t necessarily diminish the accomplishments of the nominated actors. Many of them are genuinely talented young performers who deserve recognition.
It does, however, make it difficult to view these awards as a definitive measure of “the best child performances of the year.”
The reality is much simpler: they recognize a selection of submitted performances—not the entirety of the industry’s young talent.
An award can only evaluate the performances that make it into the room. It can’t recognize the performances that were never submitted in the first place.
Safety Matters More Than a Trophy
This is the one part of the conversation I don’t think should be brushed aside.
Over the years, there have been documented concerns involving individuals with criminal histories attending or participating in certain youth industry events, particularly reporting involving the Young Artist Awards.
Whether you’re attending an awards show, convention, showcase, workshop, or networking event, the rules are exactly the same.
Do your homework.
Know who is organizing the event.
Know who your child is interacting with.
Google the LA Times article on this very topic.
Stay involved.
Ask questions.
Trust your instincts.
A red carpet is not a background check.
I don’t say that to scare anyone.
I say it because protecting children should always come before protecting anyone’s feelings.
Here’s What I Think Parents Sometimes Miss
Hollywood has no shortage of people willing to sell parents validation.
Validation feels wonderful.
Career momentum is something else entirely.
One of the biggest traps families fall into is believing that anything which looks prestigious must therefore be prestigious.
The entertainment industry is filled with photo opportunities.
It’s much smaller when it comes to things that genuinely move careers forward.
Don’t confuse applause with progress.
They’re not always the same thing.
My Advice
If your child receives a nomination…
Congratulations.
Celebrate it.
If attending fits comfortably within your family’s budget…
Go.
Dress up.
Take pictures.
Walk the red carpet.
Cheer for the other kids.
Eat the overpriced banquet chicken.
Laugh about it afterward.
Make memories.
Then come home on Monday…
…and get back to acting class.
Because that’s still where careers are built.
Not at an awards banquet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will winning help my child get an agent?
Generally, no. Agents sign actors because of talent, professionalism, marketability, and long-term potential—not youth awards.
Will casting directors care?
In my experience, no. They care far more about your child’s audition than what’s sitting on a bookshelf at home.
Are these organizations scams?
No. They are real organizations that host annual award ceremonies for young performers.
Are they the equivalent of the Emmys, SAG Awards, or the Oscars?
No. They simply don’t carry that level of industry recognition or influence.
Should we attend?
If you’re attending because your child will have an unforgettable evening and your family wants to celebrate together, you may have a fantastic time.
If you’re attending because you believe a trophy will meaningfully change your child’s career trajectory, I’d encourage you to reset those expectations.
Final Thoughts
People often ask me,
“Corey… are these awards worth it?”
My answer is always the same.
Worth it for what?
Worth it for creating a special memory with your child?
Possibly.
Worth it for dressing up, celebrating a successful year, and enjoying a fun Hollywood evening?
Absolutely.
Worth it because you think it will impress casting directors, agents, producers, or studios?
Probably not.
One of my jobs as a talent manager is helping families separate what feels important from what actually moves a career forward.
Sometimes those are the same thing.
Sometimes they aren’t.
Your child’s next opportunity won’t come because they won a trophy.
It will come because they walked into an audition prepared, confident, well-trained, and ready to do the work.
And if I had to bet on one investment that pays off over and over again…
I’ll take great training over great trophies every single time.
