Keith Lee, “Love Island” Star Jeremiah Brown, and Mariah Rose Win Big During the First-Ever TikTok Awards in the United States
Keith Lee is officially top dog on TikTok. The 29-year-old food influencer was named Creator of the Year on Thursday, Dec. 18, during the first-ever TikTok Awards held in the United States at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
“I never in a million years thought I was going to be standing on this stage,” Lee said while accepting the award, visibly emotional. “This means more to me than I can explain.” He reflected on his upbringing and how the platform changed his life, adding that TikTok gave him the opportunity to tell his story and turn personal experiences into something bigger.
Lee also spoke about how the app helped amplify his broader mission of spotlighting small businesses across the country. Through his straightforward, no-frills food reviews, Lee has helped draw national attention to mom-and-pop restaurants that often struggle for visibility. “TikTok provided me a platform to be able to show small businesses around the country,” he said, underscoring the real-world impact his content has had beyond views and likes.
Acknowledging the personal weight of the moment, Lee admitted that celebrating himself does not come easily. “It’s hard to do something for myself, because I always put other people in front of me, but this is for me,” he said. He also thanked his wife, Ronni, who was in attendance, crediting her with encouraging him to begin posting food reviews in the first place.
In honor of Lee’s win, host LaLa Anthony announced that TikTok would donate $50,000 to Feeding America, tying the gesture to Lee’s consistent focus on community and support for others.
The event marked the inaugural U.S. edition of the TikTok Awards, following previous ceremonies held earlier this year in Australia and last year across 21 countries, including the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany. The show streamed live on TikTok and Tubi, signaling the platform’s growing effort to position creators as central cultural figures.
The celebration also unfolded against the backdrop of major news for the platform itself. Just ahead of the event, reports confirmed that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had reached a binding agreement to restructure ownership of TikTok’s U.S. operations.
The deal, expected to close Jan. 22, will establish a joint venture with majority stakes held by American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Under the agreement, those investors will collectively own 45% of the U.S. entity, while existing ByteDance affiliates retain nearly a third and ByteDance itself holds roughly 20%.
The move effectively resolves a years-long push by U.S. regulators to address national security concerns tied to Chinese ownership of the app, lending the night an air of relief and finality after months of uncertainty over TikTok’s future in the United States.
Other major Black winners of the night included Jeremiah Brown, who took home Rising Star after expanding his brand on TikTok since leaving the villa, building a strong following through book-related content and community-driven posts. Mariah Rose was named MVP of the Year for her sharp, engaging sports commentary, breaking down major moments across the NFL and NBA in a way that has made her a standout voice on the platform.
The live U.S. show was also headlined by a performance from Ciara, whose music and choreography continue to fuel viral dance trends across TikTok. For a platform that thrives on authenticity and influence without traditional gatekeepers, the night served as a clear statement of where cultural power now lives, and who is holding it.
