‘Challenge Accepted’ Host Michelle Khare Has ‘Never Been More Proud to Say I’m a YouTuber’

Michelle Khare has built her singular career around making the impossible possible. It’s fitting then that when it came time for the “Challenge Accepted” host to accept her Pulse Award at IndieWire Honors 2026, she used the moment not just to celebrate her own awesome accomplishments but to advocate for the future of independent storytelling itself. 

Hosted by returning IndieWire favorite Dewayne Perkins on June 4 in Los Angeles, the TV edition of our biannual awards ceremony honored some of the most innovative creators and performers working on series today. Khare’s Pulse Award recognized her as an indie filmmaker whose work reflects the increasingly blurred boundary between “traditional” entertainment and modern digital media. 

“Thank you so much to IndieWire for this incredible award and also for just recognizing the power of independent storytelling online,” Khare began, before unpacking one of the most ambitious episodes of her YouTube series “Challenge Accepted” for the crowd. 

Referencing footage shown during the ceremony (“That was me!” she beamed), Khare described strapping herself to the side of a military aircraft in her triumphant effort to recreate one of Tom Cruise’s most mind-blowing stunts from the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. 

The feat is characteristic of Khare, who has spent eight seasons of “Challenge Accepted” immersing herself in demanding professions, athletic competitions, and high-risk challenges to the benefit of everyone involved in the production — and watching at home.

Alongside husband and series co-creator Garrett Kennell, Khare has transformed her digital series into one of contemporary Hollywood’s most ambitious nonfiction productions online. While accepting the Pulse Award, our honoree connected her success to a broader moment for creator-led entertainment.

“In a week where creator-led films like ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ are leading the box office, I have never been more proud to say I’m a YouTuber,” she said to applause.

Khare reflected on the future of digital creativity more in her interview with IndieWire ahead of the ceremony. Although “Challenge Accepted” operates with a small full-time staff, Khare and Kennell’s series has steadily expanded both its scale and cultural footprint, becoming one of the clearest examples of how self-produced content can now rival major projects backed by mainstream studios and networks.

On stage, Khare also shared a recent encounter with Tom Cruise that left a lasting impression. Days before attempting her aircraft stunt, the YouTuber briefly met the actor, and he offered Khare a piece of advice she said has become a guiding principle for her team

“Be competent, not careful,” Cruise told her. That distinction speaks directly to the philosophy behind Khare’s show. “Be competent, study, try, fail, succeed, grow,” she said. “But also don’t be too careful [or] let fear get in the way of doing something big and ambitious.”

Khare concluded her speech by thanking Kennell, her team, representatives at Gersh and Imprint, as well as partners including YouTube and Red Bull. She ended her speech with a joke directed at another honoree in attendance, Nicolas Cage. 

Recalling a time she purchased an expensive copy of the Declaration of Independence, supposedly carrying the “National Treasure” actor’s autograph, Khare said, “I don’t know if it was real or if I was ripped off by the seller. So, I’d love to talk to you about that if you’re still here.”

Cage, who received the Innovation Award for his work on “Spider-Noir,” was not immediately available to comment. But if anyone can get him to talk? It’s definitely the hero of “Challenge Accepted.”

This season’s IndieWire Honors ceremony took place on Thursday, June 4, in Los Angeles with an intimate cocktail reception and ceremony. Stay tuned for more exclusive editorial and social content from the night, including video interviews, outtakes, and more.

You can watch Khare’s full speech in the video above.