You Can Vote in TikTok’s First-Ever US Awards Show
For me, part of the appeal of TikTok is seeing smaller, less polished videos made by people who don’t present themselves as influencers. But what do I know? The company announced that it will hold its first awards ceremony in the United States later this year. It seems the Oscar-ification of short-form video is here.
In a blog on the TikTok website, the company said the show, aptly called the TikTok Awards, will be held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on December 18, 2025 and will “honor creators who have inspired, entertained and connected communities across the country.”
To that end, the site also says it will invite users to “vote for their favorite creators” starting November 18. So how will this all play out?
Who is nominated for the TikTok Awards?
TikTok says it will announce nominees in 14 categories, including Creator of the Year, Video of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Muse of the Year, whatever that means. But don’t assume you can offer any old channel for a price.
Towards the end of its announcement, TikTok included a “Meet the Nominees” section that makes it clear that the company has already chosen the contestants and they may not be someone you recognize. Having spent a total of 13 hours on TikTok last week (which I admit for this job), I only recognize one.
To be fair, the company says there are “more to come,” so it’s possible that someone I recognize will be added to the list of options. Regardless, it appears that candidates are chosen by an internal board, so your path may vary depending on whether you agree with the choices. Personally, I admit that many of my favorite channels are journalists, spicy comedians, and political commentators, so it’s possible that they don’t appear here due to an effort to appear apolitical and family-friendly. (Justice for Dave the Cat, though).
You can vote
Voting for the TikTok Awards begins on November 18, and the company says you can vote using the in-app TikTok Awards hub. While it’s currently unclear how you’ll find the hub, I’m guessing it will appear as a pop-up on your feed when you first open the app, as it did with previous TikTok giveaways. I’m sure the nominated creators will also be quick to connect users to the hub.
It is currently unknown how many votes users will be able to cast. Some sites, like Crunchyroll, like to allow users to vote for their rewards once a day, which is likely to encourage engagement or discourage fake accounts. It remains to be seen whether TikTok will implement a similar system.
What do you think of it so far?
How to watch the TikTok Awards
If all you want to know is who wins, you’ll be able to watch the TikTok Awards themselves live on December 18 starting at 6 p.m. PT, with a “red carpet live stream” starting an hour before. If you’re comfortable watching from your phone, you’ll be able to tune in through the TikTok app, but for better TV integration, TikTok says Tubi will also host the show. If you arrive late, Tubi will also have an archive of rewards that you can watch on demand “the next day.”
Can I attend the TikTok Awards in person?
Although TikTok promises “an immersive IRL experience with interactive moments,” it doesn’t post any links to purchase tickets, meaning the event is likely invitation-only. This is likely important for the safety of creators, but it’s disappointing for anyone looking to help bring the “For You feed” to life, as TikTok puts it.
Are these really the first TikTok Awards?
Although 2025 is the first year the United States will receive TikTok Awards, in previous years they have gone to countries like Korea, Japan, Australia, and Brazil. The delay is likely due to the app’s uncertain future in the US, but with a final deal now reached transferring control of the company to US entities, it’s likely that TikTok will look to make up for lost time by strengthening its presence in the country.
So, are you going to watch the TikTok Awards? Personally, I’m not sure they match what I like most about the app – there’s a whole category celebrating people who sell on commission with the TikTok store, something I immediately scroll through every time I see it – but it could be a fun way to spend an evening, I suppose. So basically it’s the same approach I’m taking with the Oscars – and at least it should result in some good takes on the accounts I watch.
