Essentially the most influential content material creators have been celebrated on Thursday night time for his or her influence and contributions to widespread web tradition on the inaugural TikTok Awards, held on the Hollywood Palladium and live-streamed on the social media app in addition to on Tubi.
Simply hours earlier than the beginning of the occasion, information broke that TikTok and ByteDance signed agreements with three managing buyers – Oracle, Silverlake and MGX– to kind a brand new TikTok U.S. three way partnership. The settlement, which is about to shut Jan. 22, 2026, would be sure that the favored social media platform will proceed working in america.
Whereas this newest improvement is one step nearer to stopping the app from being banned within the U.S., the uncertainty about how the app will change with its new buyers was unsettling for a lot of content material creators on the awards ceremony.
On the crimson carpet, attendees shared their considerations about the way forward for the app significantly with Oracle, a software program firm run by billionaire and Donald Trump’s shut ally Larry Ellison, as one of many new American buyers within the deal.
“Okay-pop Demon Hunters” star Rei Ami informed Selection, “I might be afraid of the censorship. I hope TikTok stays agency in its pledge to not censor their creators. Censorship goes in opposition to what America’s founding rules are. Censorship remaining out of customers’ inventive skill is what I hope and wish for TikTok’s future.”
Paris Hilton and Rei Ami at TikTok Awards 2025 at Hollywood Palladium on December 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Christopher Polk/Billboard)
Billboard by way of Getty Photographs
TikTok star Merrick Hanna, who rose to web stardom for his signature robotic dance strikes, talked about how he hopes “they don’t change the app an excessive amount of.” He added, “I’m anxious that the homeowners are going to sway what sort of content material goes to get served to individuals on their For You Web page. I hope that doesn’t occur.”
“Overcompensating” actress and content material creator Yasmine Sahid mentioned she’s anxious about TikTok’s algorithm being impacted. “I’m slightly bit nervous as a result of I would like the algorithm to remain true and freedom of speech. I would like individuals to create with out worrying about being punished or banned. So we’ll see.”
Magnificence TikToker Golloria George, who constructed a large platform on selling make-up inclusivity, shared her considerations about whether or not TikTok stays true to its core. “I hope it stays genuine and doesn’t censor creators for having a voice. The fantastic thing about the platform is that individuals can get on TikTok and say what they wish to say. That’s most essential.”
Golloria George on the TikTok Awards 2025 held at Hollywood Palladium on December 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (River Callaway/Selection)
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Regardless of their considerations, the shared sentiment of reduction was current among the many content material creators and influencers, understanding that the pending deal would stop TikTok from being banned within the U.S.
“I’m excited, but in addition mentally drained as a result of the algorithm is so complicated proper now,” TikTok star Markell Washington mentioned. “From a creator’s perspective, the algorithm is making me really feel like I’ve to do backflips and bounce off a constructing to get views. Hopefully, after it’s bought, it may well get again to regular with the unique algorithm as a result of it’s taking the enjoyable out of making. I’m creating content material and making an attempt to evolve with the algorithm, nevertheless it’s not getting rewarded on the similar time.”
With how a lot TikTok has modified the lives of enterprise homeowners, Canadian influencer and businessman Josh Richards mentioned he was comfortable to listen to that the platform discovered consumers.
“TikTok has given so many individuals a solution to create an revenue or enterprise,” he mentioned. “What it’s been in a position to do within the small enterprise world is unbelievable. It’s been in a position to assist children to feed that starvation inside them as a inventive outlet. They’ve such easy accessibility to that now.”
Hosted by La La Anthony, the TikTok Awards topped New Orleans-based Keith Lee with the Creator of the Yr Award. With 17.3 million TikTok followers, Lee’s movies highlight small meals companies and makes use of his platform to drive large buyer demand which have turned eating places into in a single day successes.
Keith Lee wins the Creator of the Yr Award on the TikTok Awards 2025 held at Hollywood Palladium on December 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Picture by Christopher Polk/Billboard)
Billboard by way of Getty Photographs
“This implies extra to me than I can clarify,” Lee mentioned whereas accepting his award. “I used to be only a child sitting in a PAW Patrol chair that began recording as a result of I used to be knowledgeable fighter who was nervous in entrance of cameras and couldn’t discuss. I couldn’t be rooms with individuals. I used to be a nervous wreck who at all times doubted myself. TikTok offered me a platform to speak about that and spotlight small companies across the nation.”
He continued, “It’s so exhausting for me to do one thing for myself as a result of I at all times put different individuals in entrance of me. However that is for me.”
After his speech, Anthony introduced that TikTok pledged $50,000 to Feeding America to assist struggle in opposition to meals insecurity.
All through the night time, the award present featured particular surprises, together with a efficiency from “Dancing With the Stars” duo Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, TikTok store giveaways and a Labubu cannon that launched the plush toys into the viewers.
Ciara additionally took middle stage to carry out as headliner. The music famous person carried out a mix of her classics and newer songs, together with “My Goodies,” “Oh,” “Like a Boy,” “Stage Up,” “1, 2 Step,” amongst others.
Throughout 14 classes, followers have been in a position to forged their votes for his or her favourite creators within the TikTok app’s awards hub from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2. Different winners from the night time have been Bretman Rock (Video of the Yr), Jeremiah Brown (Rising Star of the Yr), Alex Warren (Breakthrough Artist of the Yr), Tineke Youthful (Storyteller of the Yr), Paris Hilton (Muse of the Yr), Zach and Pat Valentine (TikTok For Good Award), Dayane Chrissel (My Present Is On), Mariah Rose (MVP of the Yr), Katie Fang (Okay Slay), Regulation By Mike (I Was As we speak Years Outdated), KlothesMinded (Instantly Added To Cart), Recider (CapCut Creator of the Yr), Elizabeth Esparza (TikTok Dwell Creator of the Yr).
