TikTok held its first-ever TikTok Awards in the U.S. this year, but after experiencing the uninspiring event, I question if it should be repeated.
The evening was a catastrophe: marred by technical problems, open microphones, and a shrinking audience.
The red carpet initially appeared hopeful with creators such as Yasmine Sahid, Ashby Florence, Alexis Nikole Nelson, and Janette Ok making appearances. Nevertheless, the lack of main cast members from TikTok-focused shows like I Love LA and other famous faces was apparent.
The show kicked off nearly an hour behind schedule, with speculation that the delay was due to waiting for Paris Hilton. Even following her arrival, the event didn’t start right away.
The primary concern was technical. Tech crew members were in a frenzy as the screens were malfunctioning, a significant issue for an event focused on short-form video. Kim Farrell, TikTok’s global head of creators, clarified that the delay stemmed from a “venue-specific electrical issue.”
The segments presented by hosts heavily depended on the screens, which were not operational. La La Anthony’s introductory segment fell flat without the screens, establishing an awkward atmosphere.
Ashby Florence, meanwhile, succeeded in keeping the evening engaging with her lively and clever audience interaction. She shone brightly, effectively doing the role of an entire production team.
As the screens stayed inoperable, presenters pressed on with their scripts, gesturing at blank displays. Tefi Pessoa’s announcement for Video of the Year went smoothly, but when Bretman Rock won, he was absent to accept, a recurring theme as many victors were missing.
The event felt more like a commercial rather than a celebration, filled with sponsor promotions and awards branded for TikTok-owned resources. It was TikTok honoring TikTok, which felt excessively commercial.
As the evening went on, more guests departed, leaving vacant seats. Even with reminders of an upcoming Ciara performance, the room was markedly empty during her act.
Ciara’s performance and Ashby’s diligence barely kept the event from sinking.
When Keith Lee received the Creator of the Year award, the mood shifted. Lee was moved, and TikTok announced a $50,000 donation to Feeding America in his honor, a genuine moment in an otherwise lopsided evening. It underscored the importance of appreciating creators for their contributions.
Creator-led award shows should exist, as demonstrated by the Webby and Shorty Awards. However, TikTok’s effort fell flat, perhaps due to its focus on moments crafted for clips over authentic connection.
Before the show commenced, Mashable interviewed creators on the red carpet for their word of the year. La La Anthony mentioned “change,” Alexis Nikole Nelson opted for “bold,” Kelsey Anderson said “Period,” Tan France chose “C U Next Tuesday,” and Ashby picked “conundrum.”
After spending that time in the room, Merriam-Webster’s selection of “slop” as the word of 2025 might have been surprisingly accurate.