This is one of the things that bugs me about contests in general...where it's "the audience choose the winner." Whether it's those ManyVids contests...or a talent contest. When you leave it up to the audience to choose, it's going to pretty much be a popularity contest. And naturally, people are going to vote for their family member, significant other, or friend, even if that person's entry wasn't actually their favorite. You could have Roseanne Barr's (1990) singing voice, and still win a contest because you brought along the most people to vote for you.
YBF Tangent Time...
I was in a talent show last fall where the winner was determined by audience votes. *Sigh* I prefer contests where voting is done by a panel of judges...or secret judges who are in the room., but oh well. Lol. When the emcee said "And our grand prize winner is...," the other contestants looked at me because they expected my name to be called (I did too tbh). Nope, the name announced was the young lady who'd brought the largest group of family members to the show. I didn't bring anyone, because when I participate in these things I usually like to go alone. After the show one of the organizers told me that an anonymous person wants to know my CashApp info, because he/she wants to send me money. The person sent me $100 with a note saying "You sounded fantastic," and it was the emcee.