TikTok is doing its own awards show

By James Hale • 11/04/2025 •

Digital content platforms wouldn’t be possible–or profitable–without creators. Platforms know this, and in a few standout cases (like the talent-signing scramble after Ninja left Twitch for the ill-fated Mixer) we’ve seen just how far they’ll go to charm creators who pull big views and big ad revenue.

But there are also the little things platforms do to constantly remind successful creators that it wants them there. For over a decade, the undisputed king of creator recognition has been YouTube, which sends out plaques when creators reach various impressive subscriber milestones.

Spotify (which is heavily competing with YouTube in the video podcast space) recently copycatted the plaque idea–and then, last month, Instagram introduced its own unique take on creator nods: awarding golden rings (both IRL and on chosen creators’ profiles) to standout creators selected by a panel of professional creatives from across industries. However, as we wrote previously, most of the first 25 Rings winners were people who’ve made their names in careers outside of digital content creation–athletes, actors, singers, comedians, and traditional artists like photographers and illustrators, some of whom built their careers before Instagram was even a thing.

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Creators on TikTok are about to have a different experience: The short-form platform announced this week that it’s launching the first-ever TikTok Awards show in the U.S.

Taking place Dec. 18 at the Hollywood Paladium in Los Angeles, the TikTok Awards will have a theme of “New Era, New Icons,” and will recognize creators across 13 categories, including Creator of the Year, Video of the Year, Storyteller of the Year, and the TikTok For Good Award (which gives a nod to humanitarian/educational efforts).

If this all sounds familiar, it’s because TikTok held creator awards shows in 21 regions last year. This is just the first time the awards are coming stateside.

“The trophies presented on stage will beam a colorful glow upon the creators defining this new era of culture encompassing many areas, including fashion, beauty, sports, TV and film, and new forms of entertainment,” TikTok said in a statement.

As you probably know, the creator industry has a small number of awards shows already, including our own long-running Streamy Awards, so we’re curious to see how this show sets itself apart–and how it’s received by TikTok’s young audience base. (It is nice to see a platform pioneer its own show instead of begging the Emmys year after year to let it in, unlike a certain other video destination.)

One thing we see off the bat is the presence of TikTok’s ecommerce ambitions: It’s handing out an award called “Immediately Added To Cart” that’s sponsored by TikTok Shop; a second award, Rising Star of the Year, is sponsored by top-dollar Shop seller e.l.f. Cosmetics (which is also the presenting sponsor for the entire show). TikTok’s hyping its own editing software as well, giving out a “CapCut Award,” presumably for stylish post-production.

But this show is also about what viewers want. They’ll play a key part in selecting winners, with public voting opening Nov. 18 and closing Dec. 5.

Folks who want to tune in can see the show streamed Dec. 18 on TikTok’s app and on Tubi.

Here’s the full list of categories and nominees:

Creator of the Year