"THE PEOPLE MAGAZINE AWARDS" ANNOUNCE NICK CANNON AS HOST FOR NBC'S TWO-HOUR LIVE TELECAST SET FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 18 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT

Additional Attendees Include Josh Groban, Ryan Guzman, Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina and Kate Upton

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Dec. 12, 2014 - "The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" announced today that comedian, entrepreneur and entertainer Nick Cannon will host the inaugural "PEOPLE Magazine Awards." It was also announced that Josh Groban, Ryan Guzman, Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina and Kate Upton are scheduled to appear on the two-hour live special that will broadcast live on NBC on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9 P.M. ET/PT, from The Beverly Hilton.

"People Magazine has created an indelible imprint on pop culture and it is truly an honor for me to be asked to host their very first televised live awards ceremony," said Cannon. "For the show to be broadcast on NBC makes it even more special for me. Looking forward to an amazing night and hopefully this will launch a new category for People to name me Sexiest Host Alive in 2015."

The multi-faceted entertainer has had an extremely successful career as a film star, comedian, TV and radio host, musician, writer, director, executive producer and philanthropist. After experiencing tremendous success on Nickelodeon and MTV's "Nick Cannon Presents Wild N Out," Cannon's career catapulted onto the big screen with "Men in Black II," "Drumline," and "Bobby." In 2011 Cannon returned to his stand-up roots by producing his own stand-up comedy special "Mr. Showbiz" on Showtime, and appeared as a series regular on "Up All Night" earning him a 2012 NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor." Cannon is currently busy running his thriving production company, Ncredible Entertainment, which has pilots at SyFy, Oxygen, MTV2 and Sundance Channel in various stages of production, as well as 13 episodes of "React To That" coming out on Nickelodeon this month. You can also find Cannon hosting "America's Got Talent" as he has for the past six seasons, airing Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the summer on NBC. He will also begin as a recurring character on "Brooklyn Nine Nine" this season beginning Sunday.

Previously announced attendees for the star-studded event special and snapshot of the year in pop culture include Jennifer Aniston, Jeff Bridges, Billy Eichner, Josh Gad, Diane Guerrero, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Kate Hudson, Michael Keaton, Jennifer Lopez, Chlo� Grace Moretz and Hero of the Year Award recipient Nora Sandigo. 5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5 are set to perform.

Viewers and readers across the country will have the opportunity to participate in the fan-voted award, Best PEOPLE Magazine Cover of the Year. Tweet your pick with the hashtag #PEOPLEMagazineAwards. Voting has begun, and will continue through week of show.

"The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Barry Adelman from dick clark productions are Executive Producers, along with Carol Donovan and Michael Dempsey.

"The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" are sponsored by L'Oréal Paris and Kohl's.

"The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" homepage can be found at: http://www.nbc.com/people-magazine-awards

For the latest "PEOPLE Magazine Awards" news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow PEOPLE Magazine on social media and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #PEOPLEMAGAZINEAwards. Like On Facebook Follow On Twitter Pin On Pinterest Check-In On Foursquare Circle On Google Plus Follow On Tumblr Watch On YouTube

About PEOPLE

Time Inc.'s PEOPLE revolutionized personality journalism in 1974. Each week, the PEOPLE brand brings more than 59 million consumers the latest news, exclusive interviews and in-depth reporting on the most compelling people of our time. In addition to unparalleled access to the entertainment community, the stories of real-life "Heroes Among Us" remain an essential component of PEOPLE's editorial approach. PEOPLE.com is the premier web destination for celebrity news, photos, style and entertainment coverage. With reporters across the globe, PEOPLE is headquartered in New York City. For more information visit www.PEOPLE.com.

About dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is among the world's largest producers and proprietors of televised live event programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the "American Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Academy of Country Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," and "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." Weekly television programming, includes "So You Think You Can Dance" from 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group, and dick clark productions; as well as "Rising Star" and the upcoming "Boom!" from Keshet DCP, the joint venture between Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, and DC Media, the parent company of dick clark productions (dcp). In 2014, dcp will debut the "American Country Countdown Awards" (FOX), "Hollywood Film Awards (CBS) and "The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" (NBC). dcp also owns one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with more than 55 years of dcp's award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances, and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About NBC Entertainment

NBC Entertainment develops and schedules programming for the network's primetime, late-night, and daytime schedules. NBC's quality programs and balanced lineup have earned the network critical acclaim, numerous awards and ratings success. The network finished the 2013-14 season as No. 1 in the 18-49 demo for the first time in 10 years. NBC has earned more Emmy Awards than any network in television history. NBC's roster of popular scripted comedies includes the critically acclaimed "Parks and Recreation" and "About a Boy," as well as new comedies "A to Z," "Bad Judge" and "Marry Me." NBC's drama slate is highlighted by "The Blacklist," veteran series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," fan favorites "Parenthood," "Grimm," "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago P.D.," as well as its new fall series "Constantine," "The Mysteries of Laura" and "State of Affairs." Unscripted series for NBC include the Emmy Award-winning musical competition hit "The Voice" as well as "The Biggest Loser," "Hollywood Game Night" and the perennial #1 most-watched summer series, "America's Got Talent."