2024 CAFWAT Awards, anyone?!
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]‘Most Stylish’ goes to…
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Hecate Penhollow[name_f][/name_f] by @avenmaide[name_f][/name_f]! Ok so this woman is a queen! She basically told her toxic model reality show So You [name_f]Wanna[/name_f] Be A Model[name_f][/name_f] to shove it (well not really, because she’s too eloquent and a saint, but she’s a goddess who will stand up for herself). She became a modelling agent and practically her own boss. The way she’s so cool with [name_f]Emi[/name_f] and how happy she is as a bride-to-be is just darling, and she’s the type of fashionista who polishes other queens’ crowns before applying her own.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]’Most Popular’ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Livvy Volkov-Branick[name_f][/name_f] by @autumn.leaves[name_f][/name_f]! It was a tough call between her or [name_f]Tavi[/name_f] for this, since they were both hot topic characters. Ultimately I went with [name_f]Livvy[/name_f] because popularity is also about being likable, and [name_f]Livvy[/name_f] seemed much more fitting in that way. She’s got a great support in [name_f]Katia[/name_f], and often protected from [name_m]Leonid[/name_m], who is often the one who’s negatively impacted [name_f]Tavi[/name_f]. Needless to say the importance of why he shouldn’t give that same impact on [name_f]Livvy[/name_f] as well. We also see her popularity by the Branick family and that she’s cheered by her father [name_m]Luka[/name_m]. It doesn’t mean [name_m]Luka[/name_m] is perfect, or even the perfect father[name_f][/name_f], but that the two clearly have enough impression on one another. Naturally despite the chaos, everyone wants the best for [name_f]Livvy[/name_f], as it’s clearly shown.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]’Best [name_f]Baby[/name_f] Character‘ goes to…
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Zee Kachard[name_f][/name_f] by cara_murvolio! [name_f]Cara[/name_f], you’re a genius. I could never do nearly as well as you on this, I don’t even think I have the guts to risk being so well with this. The reason why I find making these types of characters so risky is that too many times, people use babies to either steer up more drama or to use their existence to fix it. But you nailed it! While I’ve never considered you to be one of those people who’d do it wrong, the fact that a plot line could even be made so right is pleasantly surprising. It was the perfect way to explain Trent’s backstory without completely vindicating the fact that he stood up [name_f]Mikayla[/name_f], though it also gave a reasonable explanation why he and [name_f]Mikayla[/name_f] weren’t just going to go back to being lovey-doves anyway. Not to mention that [name_f]Zee[/name_f] is truly a character[name_f][/name_f], not just a plot device, and inspired some great characters on her maternal side too. Zee’s closeness with both [name_m]Trent[/name_m] and [name_f]Yeva[/name_f] is adorable and I’m glad she wasn’t used to make this couple get back together either.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]’Best [name_m]Elder[/name_m] Character‘ goes to…
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Maude Lyric[name_f][/name_f] by @taisia1[name_f][/name_f]! She’s so wholesome and kind! She has a lot of leadership vibes without forcing herself as some matriarch that everyone needs to obey. The M naming trend on girls is truly done as honour and not for tradition. It’s shown by Maude’s description of happiness by this rather than being one who told anyone to do it. She complements nicely in the [name_f]Lyric[/name_f] family, especially for Milainey, being a strong woman there for Milainey and her mother. She’s not going to let Milainey’s toxic deadbeat father be in her life, seeing as he likes to see her active mother look bad. [name_f]Maude[/name_f] is also just a very warm individual who takes joy in her activities, which is peaceful and sweet.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]‘Most Heroic’ goes to…
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Remi DeNucci[name_f][/name_f] by kitkatcookie! This was an interesting choice here, though she clearly deserved it for saving [name_m]Paul[/name_m]. It is definitely the darkest person to be the Most Heroic, seeing that she did have to lie to her father and the Mafia associates to have this happen. She’s still looking out for him despite not being in a relationship with him anymore, because it shows she truly cares. [name_f]Remi[/name_f] also has that “humble hero” mentality, with the fact that she’s not going to get vigilante justice on her father, and instead just wants to protect those she cares about from him. She wouldn’t consider herself a hero, she just genuinely doesn’t want people to be victims of her father [name_m]Salvino[/name_m] simply by being in contact with her. It’s a heavy burden on her, but a reminder that she will do anything to protect, and stay smart enough to seek these protections. Which leads into Most Villainous…
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]‘Most Villainous’ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Salvino Pellegrini[name_f][/name_f] by @moonwriteen[name_f][/name_f]! You don’t get deeper and darker than [name_m]Salvino[/name_m]. As a member of the Mafia and master kidnapper, he fits the very definition of a villain, and a well-written psycho. He is ruthless with no remorse, though it struck a chord with his daughter [name_f]Remi[/name_f] lying and then running away. In any other situation, a daughter doing this to her father would look bad, but she clearly doesn’t because he’s a criminal and she was only trying to save herself and [name_m]Paul[/name_m]. He has the perfect amount of evil dynamic to root against him for [name_m]Paul[/name_m] and [name_f]Remi[/name_f], but also a scary amount of respect for him in pulling off the dastardly deeds he does. It gets gruesome but that’s how he is as a person, with a strongly desensitised morale.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Coolest Duo‘ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Cooper & Reid Seaman[name_f][/name_f] by @I.have.no.idea[name_f][/name_f]! They may just be babies, but they really impact the term “kids are the future”. Not because their existence will “save” their father by any means, but more so because they have a lot of potential. Please protect these boys! I really see myself rooting for them and wanting them to have a chance at a better life than what [name_f]Paige[/name_f] got. It makes me determined to see how [name_f]Wendy[/name_f] mothers these two, though it could still be a slippery slope as [name_f]Wendy[/name_f] is still in love with her husband dearly. [name_m]Cooper[/name_m] and [name_m]Reid[/name_m] are given a no-pressure role in the game where they can simply just be babies, which is admirable. But they also have a lot of suspense as to how their lives will turn. They deserve to be the Coolest Duo because no matter what happens, they have each other and that’s always going to make an impact.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]’Best Face‘ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Emme Rento[name_f][/name_f] by wandering_willow! Normally I give this award to the craziest face, but here I feel it’s best to give one to the face that really stands out, but in a cool and embracing way. I’m glad this doesn’t define Emme’s whole character, but definitely has an impact on her to get this award. The fact she’s embraced it after years of bullying and covering it up is awesome willpower, especially in times when willpower is needed to simply be yourself.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Most Underrated Character‘ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Seth Horace[name_f][/name_f] by @mynameis1[name_f][/name_f]! Don’t delete [name_m]Seth[/name_m]. This is a [name_m]Seth[/name_m] stanfan account. He is so underrated and unfortunately that’s how the homeless population tends to be, tending to be people who the public would rather ignore. Give him a house, please! This dude’s gone through the fakest friends who didn’t appreciate him and the fact that he didn’t go down the path his incompetent parents did is highly respectable. Like I would understand if he did, but it shows how much he wants to build himself back up, and how he wants real help – not to be pushed down.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Social Butterfly’ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Cal Gould[name_f][/name_f] was created by @olivelovesnames[name_f][/name_f]! He’s so creative! He’s a very passionate actor with a desire to make it big, and an awesome group of people to support him. [name_m]Cal[/name_m] gets this award because of his versatility, he’s 20 but he’s friends with many elders and has a great relationship with his kiddie niece and nephew. He’s on great terms with [name_f]Ava[/name_f] and his two roommates and his social nature extends to animals too, with his loving cat. I enjoy that he’s single and questioning his sexuality at the moment, because it shows you don’t need a romantic status to be socially adept. Heck, he doesn’t rush himself immediately and I respect that he doesn’t know everything[name_f][/name_f] but focuses on keeping his dreams and social life going no matter what.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Most [name_f]Unique[/name_f] Character’ goes to…
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Austen Travis[name_f][/name_f] by Lindseylloyd052399! Very fabulous faceclaim, loyal friend as well, but also just a great example of going outside one’s comfort zone and writing something that usually isn’t written. I wouldn’t have expected a character like [name_m]Austen[/name_m] but I love their character and how they present themselves as an awesome parent and supporter. I love seeing non-binary characters and just how happy [name_m]Austen[/name_m] is, showing a lot of importance on how acceptance can really make a difference for people.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]’Best Role Model‘ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Vaihere Almo[name_f][/name_f] by jinxed_peach! She’s a role model as a criminal psychologist, having a lot of care in bringing ex-criminals back into the community in a respectful and easygoing manner. She’s a “closer character” in a sense, in how she’s given [name_m]Marty[/name_m] [name_m]Arlington[/name_m] a good arc closure alongside navigating a life Caila has with Marty’s biological daughter [name_f]Alma[/name_f]. [name_f]Vaihere[/name_f] is someone who always looks out and sees through everyone’s perspective. She is a caring woman without the need to be flashy, and she’s not afraid to see redemption in people whom the world would usually invalidate.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Most Intriguing Backstory’ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Ailey Sarris-Castillo[name_f][/name_f] by @I_meme_it[name_f][/name_f]! She is a remarkable girl and a great follow-up to [name_m]Shane[/name_m], especially given the Castillo couple’s decision to adopt a young teen rather than a baby. [name_f]Ailey[/name_f] is very appropriately written but doesn’t sugarcoat her experience in the foster system, especially since this has been the majority of her life so far. It’s beautiful that she finally feels she’s in a family, especially how her parents were never suited to be parents, yet she never felt like she had a chance with anyone who was otherwise competent. Her backstory gives a reasonable explanation why she wouldn’t trust easily and why she didn’t think she would leave the system. [name_f]Ailey[/name_f] is written in a way that makes her happy ending seem earned, but not in a way that makes [name_f]Ailey[/name_f] have the pressure to make her story right all by herself. The way that [name_m]Shane[/name_m] and her husband accommodate for [name_f]Ailey[/name_f] so well adds onto more of why her backstory reflects on her, but why it doesn’t always have to stay that way.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Superstar’ goes to…
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[name_f][/name_f]Bakari Fitzgerald[name_f][/name_f] by @MissMorland[name_f][/name_f]! [name_m]Can[/name_m] we take a moment at how awesome his classic directors’ glasses and beret is? We can? Oh goodie! He’s got a great story to him, having been known to direct great films as early as 1998 and still going. He hasn’t let that get in the way of also getting married and having children, having done so after the film, and having a daughter follow his superstar footsteps. [name_m]Bakari[/name_m] loves what he does and has a humble vibe, but he’s clearly talented and successful as well. His name is a subtle nod of Swahili culture and how he lives his life normally, but also is proud of who he is by his name and wouldn’t hide it for anyone.[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]‘Most All-Around Character’ goes to…
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Jiyoon “Julie” Park[name_f][/name_f] by @chamwue[name_f][/name_f]! Immediately the reason why she’s so good all-around is her Korean cultural background. Cultural ties are very prominent in CAFWAT and her accuracy portraying her background is very well-strung. Jiyoon addresses her pressure to go by “an [name_f]English[/name_f] name” while preferring to stay by her Korean roots name. She has a good mindset in feeling like she can still be a kid, though she’s also very self-aware that her life truly is her life. Though she’s not going to stick by the discrimination she’s lived with forever, and she has a rootable nature in readers wanting to see her family get the acceptance they need. Jiyoon is a balance of childhood, culture, tough times, and respect that CAFWAT loves and reflects with, and why she’s all-around as a character.
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