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What To Know
- Hosted by actress La La Anthony, the ceremony placed internet creators at the center of a full-scale entertainment production that mirrored traditional awards shows while staying rooted in TikTok culture.
- Additional honors went to Recider for CapCut Creator of the Year and Elizabeth Esparza for TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year.
- Rising Star of the Year went to Jeremiah Brown, while Storyteller of the Year was awarded to Tineke Younger, recognizing narrative-driven content that resonated throughout the year.
Keith Lee, Paris Hilton, Bretman Rock, and more win big as TikTok debuts its first U.S. awards show
The TikTok Awards 2025 officially marked a new chapter for creator culture on December 18, when the platform debuted its first U.S. awards show live from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Streamed on TikTok and Tubi, the event gathered creators, musicians, athletes, and pop culture figures who dominated timelines throughout the year. Hosted by actress La La Anthony, the ceremony placed internet creators at the center of a full-scale entertainment production that mirrored traditional awards shows while staying rooted in TikTok culture. As the winners were announced in real time, global audiences tuned in, including massive viewership from Dubai, where TikTok creators, fans, and brands closely track U.S. platform trends.
Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year as the Night’s Biggest Moment
The top honor of the night, Creator of the Year, went to Keith Lee. Known for food reviews that gained wide attention during the year, Lee competed against Alix Earle, Adam Waheed, Brooke Monk, and Kristy Sarah. His win stood out as one of the most discussed moments of the ceremony, quickly circulating on social platforms after the announcement. The category alone highlighted how creator influence now extends far beyond social feeds and into mainstream entertainment recognition.
Video of the Year was awarded to Bretman Rock for a TikTok video that stood out among nominees including Chris Finck, Ron Clark, Taylor Timinskas, and Turkuaz Kitchen. Rising Star of the Year went to Jeremiah Brown, while Storyteller of the Year was awarded to Tineke Younger, recognizing narrative-driven content that resonated throughout the year.
Music, Fashion, and Culture Take the Spotlight
Music creators also played a major role during the ceremony. Alex Warren won Breakthrough Artist of the Year, competing against KATSEYE, Laufey, Ravyn Lenae, and Sombr. The category highlighted how TikTok continues to influence music discovery and chart momentum.
Paris Hilton received the Muse of the Year award, standing alongside nominees such as Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Shay Mitchell. Hilton’s presence reinforced the connection between legacy celebrity status and TikTok relevance. Other awards included TikTok for Good, which went to Zach and Pat Valentine, and MVP of the Year, awarded to Mariah Rose.
Katie Fang won the Okay Slay Award, Law By Mike received the I Was Today Years Old Award, and KlothesMinded earned the Immediately Added to Cart Award. Additional honors went to Recider for CapCut Creator of the Year and Elizabeth Esparza for TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year.
Presenters, Performances, and Global Attention Including Dubai
The ceremony featured presenters including Patrick Starrr, Tan France, Jordan Chiles, Josh Richards, Trixie Mattel, and Tefi Pessoa. Ciara delivered a live performance during the show, adding a music moment to the night’s
programming. Fans voted directly inside the TikTok app from November 18 to December 2, reinforcing the platform’s audience-driven approach.
Dubai’s creator and entertainment scene closely followed the awards, with several winners and nominees already commanding strong followings in the region. As TikTok continues to influence entertainment consumption globally, events like the TikTok Awards now carry weight far beyond the U.S. market.
The TikTok Awards 2025 established a formal stage for creators who shaped online culture throughout the year. From Keith Lee’s top win to Paris Hilton’s recognition and Bretman Rock’s video victory, the ceremony confirmed TikTok’s position at the center of modern entertainment conversations. With live streaming, fan voting, and global viewership that included Dubai, the awards signaled how creator-led platforms now command attention on a worldwide level.
Cover Photo: @bretmanrock, @parishilton, @keith_lee125, @katiefang (Instagram)
