Evy Royal eyes Oscars after national youth honour

Evert 'Evy Royal' Johnson is dreaming beyond the screen -- all the way to the Oscars.

Last Saturday, the comedic content creator from Manchester stood tall among a sea of standout talent at the Prime Minister's National Youth Awards for Excellence, held on the lawns of Jamaica House. Applauded for his influence in the digital sphere through clever skits and commentary, Evy Royal was named one of the recipients in the new media category -- a powerful nod to the rising influence of content creators across Jamaica and the diaspora.

"This means a lot to me. I've always wanted people to look at social media content creators differently and also respect them," Evy Royal told THE STAR. "Winning this means a lot to social media, and it means a lot to my culture and my country. Young content creators can see this and be inspired by it and want to be in this room right now as well."

With nine years of digital storytelling under his belt, the comedian, who lists comedy icon Oliver Samuels as his inspiration, said he's just getting started.

"My long-term goal? To be a professional actor," he said. "The first time I watched Oliver Samuels as one of his inspirations, I'm like, 'Yo, this is where I want to be.' I want to branch into professional acting, and if I get that opportunity, I will be bringing home an Oscar. That's my dream."

His success isn't just personal -- it's symbolic. In a digital era where social media often contends with skepticism, Evy Royal's recognition is a moment of validation for creators carving paths outside traditional media.

"To the young creators out there, just be authentic, be real to yourself, and tell your story the way you know how to tell your story," he advised.

Evy Royal shared the new media spotlight with fellow honourees Jason Weir, 876 Stream, and Diandra Harrison -- all pushing boundaries in the evolving landscape of Jamaican content creation. His skits take audiences back to the good ol' days of childhood games and shared family experiences, bringing viewers plenty of laughs. Most of Evy Royal's scripts draw inspiration from his upbringing with his mother, grandparents, and relatives and from interactions with both the old and young in his community.

In 2024, he made his debut in local play, Pitchy Patchy.