"THE PEOPLE MAGAZINE AWARDS" ANNOUNCE GLOBAL SUPERSTARS GWEN STEFANI AND PHARRELL WILLIAMS TO PERFORM

NBC'S SPECIAL TWO-HOUR LIVE TELECAST SET FOR THURSDAY, DEC. 18 AT 9 P.M. ET/PT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Dec. 15, 2014 - "The PEOPLE Magazine Awards" announced today that global superstars and Grammy Award winners Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams will perform Stefani's new single "Spark The Fire" together on the two-hour special. Stefani and Williams join previously announced performers 5 Seconds of Summer and Maroon 5. Nick Cannon will host the star-studded event special and snapshot of the year in pop culture live on NBC, Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9 P.M. ET/PT, from The Beverly Hilton.

A three-time Grammy winner, Stefani has achieved worldwide success as a performer, songwriter and recording artist selling more than 30 million albums worldwide with No Doubt and as a multi-platinum solo artist. Stefani released two highly successful solo albums, "Love.Angel.Music.Baby" and "The Sweet Escape," featuring hit singles "Rich Girl," "Sweet Escape," "What Are You Waiting For?" and "Hollaback Girl," a No. 1 single she recorded with Williams that became the first digital download to sell more than 1 million copies in the United States. In addition to her singing-songwriting career, Stefani is widely recognized as a trendsetter and accomplished designer within the fashion industry launching several successful brands including L.A.M.B., Harajuku Lovers, DWP and Gx. Stefani is currently putting the finishing touches on her new album.

Creative force, Pharrell Williams, uses music, fashion and design to express his distinctive style and redefine cool for a new generation. Starting his producing career as one half of The Neptunes with Chad Hugo, Williams has helped create such classics as Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," Nelly's "Hot in Herre," Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me)," Britney Spears's "I'm A Slave 4 U" and Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You." Over four albums, Williams and Hugo along with Shae Haley created an unpredictable hybrid as part of the alt-rock/hip-hop group N.E.R.D. The music industry has honored Pharrell with 7 Grammy Awards (including 2004's and 2014's "Producer of the Year") and ASCAP's prestigious Golden Note Award in 2012. He also received a 2014 Academy Award Nomination for his original song "Happy" featured in the animated film Despicable Me 2. "Happy" remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten consecutive weeks, peaked at #1 on iTunes in 103 markets worldwide, and is the lead single off of his new album "G I R L." Pharrell's second solo album "G I R L" was released on March 3, 2014 to rave reviews. Pharrell recently completed a 23-date "Dear G I R L" tour across Europe, and can currently be seen as a coach on Season 7 of "The Voice." Pharrell is nominated for six Grammy awards this year, including three nominations for Album of the Year.

Previously announced attendees include Jennifer Aniston, Jeff Bridges, Billy Eichner, Josh Gad, Josh Groban, Diane Guerrero, Ryan Guzman, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Michael Keaton, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Messina, Chlo� Grace Moretz, Hero of the Year Award recipient Nora Sandigo, and Kate Upton.

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.

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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 the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment 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."