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 held its first U.S. awards show live from the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Streamed on TikTok and Tubi and 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.
Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year
The top honor of the night, Creator of the Year, went to Keith Lee. Known for food reviews that gained wide attention throughout the year, Lee competed against Alix Earle, Adam Waheed, Brooke Monk, and Kristy Sarah. His win quickly circulated across social platforms and stood out as one of the most-discussed moments of the ceremony. 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 played a major role during the ceremony. Alex Warren won Breakthrough Artist of the Year, competing against KATSEYE, Laufey, Ravyn Lenae, and Sombr — a category that underscored how TikTok continues to influence music discovery and chart momentum.
Paris Hilton received the Muse of the Year award, standing alongside nominees 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
The ceremony featured presenters including Patrick Starrr, Tan France, Jordan Chiles, Josh Richards, Trixie Mattel, and Tefi Pessoa. Ciara delivered a live performance, 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 2025 now carry weight far beyond the U.S. market.
From Keith Lee's top win to Paris Hilton's recognition and Bretman Rock's Video of the Year, the ceremony confirmed TikTok's position at the center of modern entertainment. With live streaming, fan voting, and global viewership, the awards signaled how creator-led platforms now command attention on a worldwide level.
