14-year-old Rateel Alshehri makes history at Joy Awards
Rateel Alshehri has become the youngest person to win the ‘Favorite Female Influencer’ award at the Joy Awards. At just 14 years old, the Saudi content creator has set a new record at the event.
Her win marks a major moment for youth voices in the Arab world and reflects the growing impact of young creators across digital platforms.
Rateel’s achievement shows the influence of Generation Alpha. Through her content, she connects with young audiences and encourages them to express themselves. She focuses on motivation, creativity, and purpose, which has helped her build a strong following across the region and beyond.
In her acceptance speech, Rateel Alshehri said: “I could stand here and pretend that I didn’t expect this. But I did! This isn’t arrogance. It’s confidence. Mama, do you remember when I promised you ‘my voice will reach the world?’. Today, I’m standing on this stage, in a category where creating real influence at age 14 is never easy. And If I can do this, so can you. This award is for every young person watching, thinking their voice is too small or their age is too young.”
She added: “You are never too young to make a difference. Your age is exactly why your voice matters most. So wherever you go, leave a mark that clearly says: ‘I was here. I mattered. I gave something back,”
Despite her young age, Rateel has built a strong profile in media and public speaking. She is the youngest TEDx host in history and the youngest Saudi and Arab podcaster. Through her podcast, Rateel Alpha Talk, she promotes curiosity, leadership, and youth engagement.
Rateel has spoken at international events, including the Misk Global Forum and the Cambridge Global Webinar. She also founded Meet & Inspire by Rateel, a youth tour that supports teens across the MENA region. She recently hosted the launch of Trump Plaza Jeddah, where she introduced business leaders, including Eric Trump, showing her role as a young representative on global platforms.
Her Joy Awards win follows a series of media and social achievements. With a growing online following, Rateel continues to inspire young creators by showing the value of learning, confidence, and positive impact.
