The 2009 People's Choice Awards

Awards season got underway in Los Angeles with the 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium. Host Queen Latifah and Tinseltown stars like Kate Hudson, Katherine Heigl and Ellen DeGeneres joined their biggest fans to crown the public's favorites in music, television and film. "It's such a nice opportunity to see my fans," said Reese Witherspoon (in Fendi) after picking up the award for Favorite Female Movie Star. Where will the Oscar winner put this trophy? "I'm going to put it my office, it’s going to be really beautiful." Witherspoon said.

-Lindzi Scharf

Not even a traffic jam could stop movie-star mom Kate Hudson from showing up to accept her award for Favorite Leading Lady. "I've been promoting Bride Wars, so today I was on an airplane and I came home and I was cooking for [Ryder's] birthday party," said the actress (in Gucci). "Then I got dressed up and I ran here!"

"My whole career was started and based off of people's support. They voted for me to get me a career in the first place!" declared country queen Carrie Underwood (in Naeem Khan). The American Idol alum was named the People's Choice for the Favorite Star Under 35.

Host Queen Latifah-who took time to greet the fans that lined the red carpet-arrived for her gig wearing a striking purple couture gown by Georges Chakra. "Welcome to the first awards show of the year," she announced to the audience once it was time to kick off the show inside the Shrine Auditorium.

"Finding the right dress is the big step," said Dakota Fanning, who looked all grown up in a BCBG mini-dress. After fulfilling her duties as a presenter, the actress celebrated The Secret Life of Bees' win for Favorite Independent Movie.

27 Dresses co-stars Katherine Heigl (in Dolce & Gabbana and Bochic earrings) and Malin Ackerman (in Jay Godfrey) reunited to accept the People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Movie. "[I'll put this award] where I can see it," said Heigl of her plans for the trophy. "This means a lot to me."

"I don't mean to brag, but I know a thing or two about guest stars. They're really just great stars. And they make great guests too," announced Debra Messing (in Donna Karan) when she took the stage to present the award for Favorite Scene Stealing Guest Star to Robin Williams.

The cast of 90210-nominated for Favorite New TV Drama-came out in full force, with Jennie Garth (in Hugo Boss) and AnnaLynne McCord (in Marciano) sharing the stage to announce winners in several categories. "I have such devoted fans. I have one fan who sends me and my family Christmas gifts every year," said Garth. "I write to her and tell her not to send us presents with her hard earned money. I don't send her presents, but I should."

While she'll have to wait until Sunday to find out if she'll win the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, Marisa Tomei (in Donna Karan) was among the stars who handed out the People's Choice trophies. How is the actress making sure she won't burn out before the big night? "I try to take naps," she said.

Though her "No Air" duet partner Chris Brown wasn't there to help Jordin Sparks accept the Favorite Combined Forces award in person, he did arrive via video for the big moment. "I'm wearing Jessica McClintock, my shoes are Stuart Weitzman and my jewelry is A&G. I'm really proud of myself for remembering what I'm wearing right now!" Sparks told reporters. "My Nana and mom found this dress at the mall!"

Ellen DeGeneres-who was accompanied by partner Portia de Rossi (in Zac Posen)-was tapped to present the first award of the evening at the last minute. "I'm not supposed to be here right now," said the talk show titan, who danced her way to the stage. "This was supposed to be Kate Hudson. She was going to present the first award of the evening, but she's in traffic. She's forty minutes away, so let's wait."

"I worked all day so I didn't want to get into anything tight," Favorite Female TV Star winner Christina Applegate said of her flowing Jenny Packham gown. Since the actress plays a woman with amnesia on the small screen, is there anything she'd like to forget in real life? "A ton of relationships and some really good old fashioned hairdos from an old show I was on," Applegate sighed.