The JOY Forum 2025, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 16-17, was not just a conference; it was a spectacular global summit where the biggest names in cinema, sports, and digital media converged. Part of the larger Riyadh Season, the event underscored Saudi Arabia’s emerging role as a major hub for the international creative economy.
The most electrifying moments came from the unprecedented mingling of icons, leading to viral photos and “crossovers of the century” across social media.
The Global Lineup: Celebrities and Influencers Who Lit Up the Forum
The two-day forum featured an incredible list of speakers and attendees, representing every facet of the modern entertainment landscape:
Bollywood’s “Three Khans” Create History
In a moment that fans had dreamed of for decades, the three titans of Hindi cinema shared the same stage, captivating the audience with their camaraderie and insights into the global rise of Bollywood.
- Shah Rukh Khan
- Salman Khan
- Aamir Khan
Their joint session, “East to West: The Global Rise of Bollywood,” was a major highlight. Viral clips showed Shah Rukh Khan expressing deep admiration for his contemporaries, calling them aspirational figures who built their careers from scratch.
K-Drama Meets Bollywood: The “Crossover of the Century”
The fusion of South Asian and Korean star power sent the internet into a frenzy.
- Lee Jung-jae: The Emmy-winning star of Squid Game
- Lee Byung-hun: The star of Squid Game and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
- Yoon Je-kyoon: Renowned Korean Director
The selfie shared by Lee Jung-jae with Shah Rukh Khan quickly became one of the most talked-about photos of the year, with fans hailing the meeting of the two cinematic legends as the ultimate “crossover.”
Digital Media & Content Creators Rule the Roost
The forum strongly emphasized the future of entertainment, which now runs on digital platforms. The biggest names from YouTube and streaming were present, signaling the power shift in content creation.
- MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): The world’s biggest YouTuber, who later posted a photo with all three Khans, fueling speculation of a massive international collaboration.
- IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.): The hugely popular streamer and internet personality.
- Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee): Entrepreneur and digital marketing guru.
Sports, Media, and Hollywood Icons
Leaders from the world of sports, journalism, and production brought a wealth of knowledge on building global entertainment franchises.
- Shaquille O’Neal: NBA legend and businessman.
- Novak Djokovic: Tennis icon.
- Dana White: President of the UFC.
- Terry Crews: TV star and actor.
- Piers Morgan: Controversial broadcaster and host.
- Ryan Seacrest: Emmy-award winning host and producer.
- Nick Khan: President of WWE.
Key Takeaways from the Global Stage
The JOY Forum 2025 was more than a glamorous event; it was a platform for serious discussions on the future of media, technology, and creativity.
- The New Global Entertainment Axis: The presence of Hollywood, Bollywood, and Korean cinema legends alongside digital content creators highlighted that entertainment is now truly borderless. Sessions explored how local content, particularly from Asia, is being engineered to become globally exportable intellectual property (IP).
- Focus on Digital & AI: Topics centered on streaming platforms, the role of AI in creative rights and production, and the entrepreneurial spirit needed in the new entertainment economy.
- Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: The forum strongly reinforced the Kingdom’s commitment to rapidly expanding its entertainment sector as a core part of its economic diversification strategy, positioning Riyadh as a major host for world-class cultural and creative events.
The convergence of such massive, diverse star power—from the stage banter of the Khans to the unprecedented selfie between Shah Rukh Khan and Lee Jung-jae—made JOY Forum 2025 a landmark event in the global entertainment calendar.
