The countdown to the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2025 officially kicked off yesterday (June 20) — and it did not disappoint.
Hosted on the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the KCA Pre-Party brought the chaos (and the charm) with carnival rides, slime-coded vibes, and some major star sightings, including Next Gen skateboard sensation Katelyn West and the leads of the new live-action film Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, Samantha Lorraine and Jacob Rodriguez.
The event wasn’t just about celebrating — it also gave back. Guests got to build and customize skateboards with Foster Love, a nonprofit supporting children in foster care. Between the orange grip tape, glitter pens, and Nickelodeon stickers, the DIY station was straight-up Pinterest meets skatepark. And yes, Katelyn West had thoughts on how she’d make her dream board.
“Probably a lot of pink, orange font, girly colors… yeah, stuff like that,” the 13-year-old phenom told Celeb Secrets with a smile. “It’s super fun. I love pushing myself, pushing the sport with all my friends, and progressing it worldwide.”
And that’s not all — Katelyn also teased a major surprise happening at tonight’s big show, telling us it’s “super epic and super fun” and encouraging fans to “stay tuned and watch it!”
Samantha Lorraine and Jacob Rodriguez were also on-site, fresh off wrapping their roles in Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado, which premieres July 2 on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. This time, the beloved adventurer trades in the animated jungle for a live-action story full of heart, humor, and a little slime.
“There’s so much freedom,” Samantha shared about stepping into the role. “We have this consistency of Dora’s character — the optimism, the adventurous spirit — but we also get the flexibility of seeing her in a real world now.”
Jacob agreed, adding that the costume alone was enough to send kids into full fangirl mode.
“Even when we had sets with 300 extras, one of my favorite things was just seeing Sam interact with the kids — and they’re all just staring at her like she really is Dora. Because she is.”
The duo gave us their “KCA-coded” outfit breakdowns (spoiler: blue crochet, goddess vibes, and orange rope accessories) and even weighed in on whether Dora would rather ride the rollercoaster or get slimed.
“She’d figure out a way to do both,” Samantha laughed. “She’s that girl.”
Beyond the nostalgia and Nickelodeon magic, this year’s KCA weekend is giving serious Gen-Z energy — especially with Katelyn West representing the next wave of skateboarding greatness.
“It feels normal,” she told us confidently. “I can bring my own creative style and tricks and make it my own.”
Her advice to other girls who want to start skating? “Just go for it. You’ll fall, but you’ll get up and try again. It’s an amazing feeling. Just keep skating.”
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With Grammy-winning superstar Tyla hosting, performances by MGK and Katseye, and Jack Black set to receive the King of Comedy Award, tonight’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2025 are shaping up to be the messiest, loudest, and most iconic party of the summer.
Whether you’re tuning in for slime, surprises, or your faves walking away with a blimp, one thing’s for sure: the orange carpet has never been more exciting.
Don’t forget: the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2025 air LIVE from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica TONIGHT, June 21st @ 8PM ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
With reporting credit from Briana Fahy.
