Keith Lee has emerged as the biggest winner at the first-ever TikTok Awards held in the United States, taking home the highly sought-after Creator of the Year award. The historic event marked a major milestone for the platform as it officially celebrated the creators who have played a key role in shaping TikTok’s cultural influence.
The fan-voted awards ceremony was hosted by television personality La La Anthony and took place at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. It honored creators across 14 categories, including Storyteller of the Year, Live Creator of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and TikTok for Good. Winners received TikTok’s signature logo-shaped trophies in front of a live audience, while fans around the world tuned in via livestreams on TikTok and Tubi.
Several well-known figures served as presenters throughout the night, including Paris Hilton, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, and former reality TV star Bethenny Frankel. Their appearances added star power to the event, which blended digital culture with mainstream entertainment.
Keith Lee’s victory capped off a remarkable year for the popular food critic, whose honest, straightforward reviews have earned him millions of followers and widespread recognition. He beat out fellow nominees Adam Waheed, Kristy Sarah, Alix Earle, and Brooke Monk in the Creator of the Year category, reflecting strong fan support and his growing influence on the platform.
Other notable winners included Love Island USA star Jeremiah Brown (@findjeremiah), who was named Rising Star of the Year, and Tini Younger (@tinekeyounger), who won the Storyteller of the Year award for her authentic and engaging content. The TikTok for Good award was presented to Zach and Pat Valentine (@valentinebrothers) for their positive social impact and community-focused work.
The Video of the Year award went to Bretman Sacayanan (@bretmanrock) for a viral clip featuring a playful moment with chickens, set to Doechii’s song “Anxiety.” The video stood out for its humor, creativity, and wide appeal.
The ceremony also featured live performances from R&B star Ciara and Mr Fantasy, an online persona that has sparked speculation about being the alter ego of Riverdale actor KJ Apa. The performances added excitement and entertainment to the night’s celebrations.
Beyond the awards, the event coincided with a major business announcement for TikTok. On the same day, its parent company ByteDance revealed it had signed binding agreements to sell the majority of its U.S. operations to American and global investors. According to a memo from chief executive Shou Zi Chew, the new joint venture will be owned by a group of investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX.
Under the deal, ByteDance will retain a 19.9 percent stake, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX will each hold 15 percent. The remaining 30.1 percent will be owned by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors. The agreement is expected to close on January 22 and could bring an end to years of uncertainty over TikTok’s future in the United States.
TikTok said the deal will allow more than 170 million Americans to continue using the platform, describing it as a space where users can discover endless possibilities as part of a global community.
The inaugural TikTok Awards highlighted the platform’s growing influence in entertainment and media, with Keith Lee’s Creator of the Year win standing out as one of the most memorable moments of the night.
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