Ciara is taking center stage as the headline performer for TikTok’s inaugural TikTok Awards, a major milestone for the platform as it officially honors the creators and culture that fuel its community.
The event is set for Thursday, December 18, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The singer and performer—whose music and choreography have always thrived in short-form, movement-driven spaces—will anchor the evening with a live set crafted especially for TikTok’s audience.
For Ciara, the partnership feels like a perfect fit. “There’s nothing like performing for a community that loves movement, music, and expression as much as I do,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “The TikTok platform plays a significant role in entertainment. It is one of the most influential platforms in the world.”
The TikTok Awards aim to spotlight the digital creator economy, a space that has transformed the way music, fashion, comedy, and storytelling break out. TikTok says the ceremony will stream live on its platform and air on Tubi, with on-demand viewing available the next day.
Red carpet coverage starts at 5 p.m. PT on TikTok Live, followed by the awards show at 6 p.m.
Ciara highlighted the importance of launching the awards in the U.S., describing the event as a tribute to pure creativity. “The TikTok Awards are all about celebrating that spirit, and I’m honored to hit the stage for the first-ever show in the U.S.,” she said.
Alongside Ciara’s performance, TikTok has announced an expanding lineup of presenters from both the creator world and Hollywood. Confirmed presenters include REI AMI, Tan France, Tefi Pessoa, Justin Danger, Patrick Starrr, Carter Gregory, and Ashby Florence. They join previously announced names such as Paris Hilton, Bethenny Frankel, and Trixie Mattel.
The debut of the TikTok Awards arrives as social platforms increasingly develop their own creator-centered award programs. Earlier this year, Instagram launched Instagram Rings, a new initiative honoring top creators chosen by a panel featuring Spike Lee, Marc Jacobs, and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.
