Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year at TikTok Awards US Debut
La La Anthony hosts the first US TikTok Awards, celebrating creators across 14 categories at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The United States marked a milestone for the short-video platform with its first TikTok Awards, honoring the year’s most inventive creators in a fan-voted ceremony. The event took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and was streamed on TikTok and Tubi, blending entertainment with a peek at TikTok’s evolving business landscape.
Winners, presenters and highlights
Keith Lee was named Creator of the Year in a night that spotlighted talents across 14 categories. The ceremony was hosted by television personality La La Anthony, with high-profile presenters including Paris Hilton and Jordan Chiles.
- Creator of the Year: Keith Lee
- Rising Star of the Year: Jeremiah Brown (FindJeremiah)
- Storyteller of the Year: Tini Younger (TineKeyYounger)
- Video of the Year: Bretman Sacayanan (BretmanRock) for a clip featuring a flock of chickens, set to Doechii’s Anxiety
- TikTok for Good: Zach and Pat Valentine (ValentineBrothers)
Other moments included live musical performances by Ciara and a spotlight on Mr Fantasy, a persona that fans have speculated could be connected to Riverdale star KJ Apa.
Deal and the U.S. presence
On the same day, ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok, signed binding agreements with U.S. and global investors to take a majority stake in its U.S. operations. Under the deal, ByteDance would own 19.9 percent, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX each hold 15 percent. Existing ByteDance investors would account for about 30.1 percent through affiliated entities. The closing is scheduled for January 22 and aims to address U.S. national security concerns.
TikTok also stated the arrangement will allow more than 170 million Americans to continue exploring a broad range of content as part of a connected global community.
Correction 19 December: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named a presenter.
Expert commentary
Expert comment: The awards underscore how creators drive a vibrant digital culture that attracts audiences and brands alike. The ByteDance deal marks a watershed moment for TikTok’s U.S. presence, balancing rapid growth with regulatory considerations.
Summary
The TikTok Awards showcased the platform’s thriving creator community across 14 categories and featured notable performances. The event also highlighted a major business development as ByteDance realigns its U.S. operations with big investors. Together, the night celebrated creativity and signaled a new era for TikTok in the United States.
Key takeaway: The TikTok Awards celebrate the power of creators in the United States while signaling a major shift in the platform’s U.S. structure through the ByteDance deal. BBC News
Discover the latest news and current events in World News as of 19-12-2025. The article titled " Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year at TikTok Awards US Debut " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the World News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " Keith Lee Wins Creator of the Year at TikTok Awards US Debut " helps you make better-informed decisions within the World News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.