TikTok Launches First US Awards Ceremony in December

TikTok is bringing its awards celebration to the United States for the first time, launching the TikTok Awards 2025 to honor influential creators and memorable moments that define culture for 170 million American users. The ceremony will take place at the Hollywood Palladium on December 18th, featuring a red carpet livestream beginning at 5pm PT and the main show going live at 6pm PT on TikTok and streaming partner Tubi.

Fan Voting and Award Categories

The platform is opening voting to users on November 18th through a dedicated in-app portal, allowing fans to cast ballots across fourteen categories. These include Creator of the Year, Video of the Year, Rising Star, Breakthrough Artist, Storyteller, and specialized awards like the “Okay Slay” award for Fashion and Beauty, “I Was Today Years Old” for Education, and the “I Immediately Added to Cart” award for TikTok Shop. Additional categories celebrate sports MVPs, film and TV, and CapCut creators.

Strategic Cultural Recognition

The awards represent TikTok’s broader effort to underscore its significance to American culture and the economy. As the platform navigates ongoing regulatory scrutiny regarding the “Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act,” these highly publicized awards serve to demonstrate TikTok’s value to creators and consumers alike. President Donald Trump has withheld enforcement of the act while negotiations continue regarding potential US ownership arrangements. By showcasing creator talent and platform impact through the awards ceremony, TikTok aims to strengthen its position and build goodwill among influential stakeholders and the broader American audience.