Max's TikTok Triumph: Hours of Work Behind Your Quick Scrolls!

The second annual TikTok Awards took place in London, bringing together some of the most popular creators from the app. Max Klymenko was named creator of the year, a prize he was thrilled to receive. Max is well-known for his 'career ladder' series, where he sets up a stepladder in public places and invites people to stand on it while he tries to guess their jobs by asking yes or no questions. Max moved to the UK from Ukraine 14 years ago and started making videos because he found it hard to get a job. He wanted to help others learn about different careers and opportunities. When he accepted his award, Max dedicated it to his grandmother in Ukraine, who used to help him get more views by watching his videos from different accounts. He also reminded everyone that creating content takes a lot of time and effort, even though people watch it quickly on their phones.

The awards ceremony was hosted by AJ Odudu and featured winners in 12 categories, including fashion, travel, food, and education. Bemi Orojuogun, known as bus aunty, won video of the year for her viral clips about London's transport system. Her videos, which often show her standing near buses, have been watched nearly 50 million times. Bemi thanked Transport for London and the musician Stormzy, who helped her gain more attention by sharing her videos. She now works with major brands like Burberry and Ikea. Bemi said she was surprised by her fame but proud of what she has achieved.

Nikki Lilly won the fashion and beauty creator of the year award. Nikki has 10 million followers and uses her platform to talk about fashion, beauty, and her experiences living with a chronic illness and a facial difference. She wants to show that social media is not just about looking perfect and that it's important to share real-life struggles. Tola and Kevin, a mother-son duo, won the voice for change award for their honest videos about raising an autistic child. Tola started making content because she felt isolated after her son's diagnosis, but now she has built a supportive community. Other winners included Charley Marlowe for entertainment, Phil Carr for travel, and several others. The TikTok Awards celebrated creators who use their platforms to entertain, educate, and inspire millions of viewers.