Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year at TikTok Awards US Debut
La La Anthony hosts the first US TikTok Awards at the Hollywood Palladium, celebrating top creators across fourteen categories.
Keith Lee claimed Creator of the Year at TikTok's inaugural US awards show, a night that spotlighted the platform's growing influence in American media. Hosted by La La Anthony, the ceremony took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and blended fan-voted honors with live music and performances.
The event crowned winners across fourteen categories, with trophies shaped like the app's distinctive logo. Among the presenters were Paris Hilton and gymnast Jordan Chiles, adding celebrity flair to the night.
The ceremony streamed live on TikTok and Tubi, while a packed audience watched in person. It coincided with ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, signing binding agreements to reorganize its U.S. operations with major investors.
Nominees in the Creator of the Year category included comedian Adam Waheed and lifestyle creators Kristy Sarah, Alix Earle, and Brooke Monk.
Jeremiah Brown, known online as @findjeremiah, won Rising Star of the Year, while Tini Younger took Storyteller of the Year. The TikTok for Good award went to Zach and Pat Valentine.
Video of the Year went to Bretman Sacayanan (bretmanrock) for a clip showing a group of chickens, set to Doechii's track 'Anxiety'.
Performances from Ciara and a performer known online as Mr Fantasy kept the energy high, with fans speculating that Mr Fantasy could be the alter ego of Riverdale actor KJ Apa.
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Getty Images ByteDance US deal and its implications
On the same day, ByteDance announced binding agreements with U.S. and global investors for the majority of its U.S. business. The plan would allocate 15% ownership each to Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, while ByteDance retains 19.9%. Existing ByteDance investor affiliates would hold the remaining 30.1%. The deal is expected to close on January 22 and aims to address U.S. regulatory concerns while keeping TikTok accessible to more than 170 million Americans, according to a company memo.
In a move described by TikTok as enabling a continued global community, the company said the arrangement would help keep the platform thriving for creators and viewers alike.
Correction 19 December: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Bethenny Frankel was among the presenters.
Expert comment: Industry analysts say the US TikTok Awards underscore the platform’s shift toward mainstream media, with creator success driving audience growth and monetization. They also note that recognizing a wide range of categories reinforces the strength of the creator economy for TikTok’s ongoing expansion.
Summary: The first US TikTok Awards showcased the platform’s growing mainstream appeal and celebrated its creator community. Keith Lee’s win highlights the influence of creators in shaping trends and engagement, while ByteDance’s U.S. deal points to a strategic effort to balance growth with regulatory navigation. Together, the event and the deal illustrate how TikTok blends entertainment with substantive business moves in the American market.
Key insight: TikTok's US Awards mark the platform’s evolution into a major entertainment and business hub driven by its creators. Source: BBC
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