Keith Lee earned the title of Creator of the Year at TikTok’s very first U.S. TikTok Awards.
Per Reuters, the event was held on Thursday, December 18, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and streamed live on TikTok and Tubi, with creators from food, fashion, sports, education, and entertainment all coming together for the night.
Lee, known for spotlighting small businesses and sharing family-centered stories, accepted the top prize after a year where his videos repeatedly created real-world impact.
While on stage, he spoke about how the platform helped push his purpose forward. “TikTok provided me a platform to be able to show small businesses around the country,” Lee said during his acceptance speech.
He also touched on the personal weight of the moment, adding, “It’s hard to do something for myself, because I always put other people in front of me, but this is for me.”
Lee’s victory was one of many standout moments from the night. Bretman Rock secured Video of the Year, while Paris Hilton was honored with Muse of the Year for her lasting influence and inspiration on the platform.
Another highlight was Jeremiah Brown, a former Love Island USA contestant, who earned Rising Star of the Year in recognition of his growing reach and engagement on TikTok.
The ceremony also celebrated creators using their voices for impact and awareness. The For Good award was presented to Zach, a creator with Down syndrome who shares his everyday life to promote understanding, alongside his brother, Pat Valentine, who educates audiences about the condition.
Hosted by La La Anthony, the event fully embraced TikTok culture with viral moment recreations, interactive challenges, skits, and bold visuals — including Labubu dolls shot into the audience via a T-shirt cannon.
As the night wrapped up, Ciara hit the stage to honor her catalog, delivering an energetic performance featuring “Goodies,” “1, 2 Step,” and “Level Up.”
