Justin Bieber beat an actor, an NFL champion, a Marvel lead and the Premier League’s most feared striker to win Anthony Edwards’ 2026 ‘White Boy of the Year’ crown.

The Minnesota Timberwolves guard revealed the pick on the second edition of his Believe That Awards, the irreverent sports-and-pop-culture show he hosts on his own YouTube channel. The 2025 inaugural winner was actor Timothée Chalamet.

Bieber did not turn up to collect the trophy. The singer instead sent a vertical video shot in a grey hoodie, grinning into the camera.

“Mr. Anthony Edwards himself honoring me with the White Boy of the Year award. Man, thank you bro. This is special. Everyone knows how influenced I am by Black culture and this one’s sweet.”

Read also: “The gap is too big”: Sergio Perez delivers candid verdict on Cadillac’s F1 struggles

The field Bieber beat

Edwards had been teasing his shortlist for months. At Fanatics Fest in New York back in July, he ran through the nominees on camera and explained the one quality the winner needed.

“You got to be able to go in any room and be comfortable. I think that’s what comes with ‘White Boy of the Year.’”

Edwards had Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Travis Kelce and Bieber in play that day. By October, the ceremony’s final five swapped Damon for Twilight actor Robert Pattinson, with Bieber the pick.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end came in for the bluntest reaction of the day in July. Told fans wanted anyone but Kelce, Edwards shrugged him off.

Read also: “Right club, wrong time”: Former Man Utd defender delivers Mason Mount verdict

“Anyone but Kelce? Ok! Say less, say less. Damn, Travis Kelce.”

A ceremony Edwards runs on his own terms

The Believe That Awards is pitched as a send-up of celebrity-industrial award season. The show’s own blurb describes it as a look at “standout moments, cultural disruptors and iconic achievements across sports and entertainment, filtered through the unapologetic and uncensored lens of Edwards.” Edwards hosted this year’s edition from a dinner table, needling winners between courses.

Bieber was the headline name, but he was far from the only trophy of the night. Michael B. Jordan took Iconic Performance of the Year, YouTuber IShowSpeed won Creator of the Year, and 50 Cent collected a Lifetime Achievement nod. Timberwolves team-mate Jaden McDaniels was handed the “Stood on Bidness” trophy, while new Minnesota arrival LaMelo Ball got a custom prize built around one of Edwards’ catchphrases.

Edwards: ‘Feeling good for the first time in a long time’

The Timberwolves tip off their regular season on Wednesday 21 October, on the road against the Miami Heat, after Edwards dropped 26 points in a preseason win at Madison Square Garden earlier this week.

Read also: “Who?”: Tottenham star’s brutal response to Arsenal legend raises eyebrows

“I’m feeling good for the first time in a long time, so I’m super happy about that,” Edwards told reporters after a training camp session.

The second annual Believe That Awards is streaming now on Edwards’ YouTube channel.

Read also: Just 12 minutes: Barcelona face tough decision over highly rated youngster