Hollywood witnessed a landmark moment on Thursday as TikTok hosted its first-ever US TikTok Awards, bringing together creators from dance, music, sports, fashion, entertainment, and education for a vibrant celebration of digital culture.
The high-energy ceremony featured viral skits, trend reenactments, a giant selfie challenge, and even Labubu dolls launched into the crowd from a T-shirt cannon, capturing the playful spirit of the platform.
Livestreamed on TikTok and Tubi, the event was hosted by lifestyle influencer La La Anthony and culminated in one of the night’s biggest honours going to Keith Lee, who was named Creator of the Year.
La La Anthony
Internet icon Bretman Rock secured the Video of the Year award, adding to the star-studded atmosphere of the evening.
Bretman Rock
Taking the stage at the Hollywood Palladium on December 18, Keith Lee appeared visibly emotional as he reflected on his journey.
Known for spotlighting small businesses through his food review content, Keith Lee credited TikTok with giving him a voice and a platform to uplift others. With more than 17 million followers, he shared how the award marked a rare moment where he allowed himself to celebrate his own achievements after years of prioritising others.
Keith Lee also expressed heartfelt gratitude to his wife, Ronni, acknowledging her role in encouraging him to begin creating content.
Keith Lee
In recognition of his impact, La La Anthony announced that TikTok would donate $50,000 to Feeding America, honouring Keith Lee’s consistent efforts to combat food insecurity. S
peaking later, Anthony praised Lee for turning online influence into meaningful real-world change.
Several other creators were recognised throughout the night. Paris Hilton received the Muse of the Year award for shaping and inspiring trends, while former Love Island USA contestant Jeremiah Brown was named Rising Star of the Year. Paris Hilton emphasised during her speech that true muses don’t follow trends they create them.
Paris Hilton
Jeremiah Brown
The ceremony also highlighted social impact through the For Good Award, presented to Zach, a creator with Down syndrome who shares his daily life to promote inclusion, alongside his brother Pat Valentine, who educates audiences about the condition.
Zach
The evening concluded with an electrifying performance by Grammy-winning singer, who delivered a medley of her hits including Goodies, 1,2 Step, and Level Up.
Ciara
Beyond the glamour, the event marked a pivotal moment for TikTok itself. Earlier that day, parent company ByteDance confirmed it had reached a binding agreement to sell more than 80% of TikTok’s US assets to American and global investors a strategic move aimed at averting a potential US government ban.
Creators in attendance acknowledged the platform’s turbulent past and hopeful future. Educational content creator Alexandra Doten revealed she had actively advocated in Washington to protect TikTok, calling it a powerful engine for creativity, learning, and inspiration.
The agreement represents a significant step toward resolving regulatory uncertainty that has surrounded TikTok since 2020.
Today, with more than 170 million active users in the United States, the platform remains a dominant force in digital culture a fact underscored by the success of its inaugural US awards ceremony, which celebrated authenticity, creativity, and social impact in the modern media landscape.
