SYDNEY, Today: Ilai Matangi, known as @havea_676, picked up Creator of the Year at the first-ever TikTok Awards hosted at the new TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydney.
Last night, the 2025 TikTok Awards, presented by Sophie Monk, lit up the TikTok Entertainment Centre with 4,000 VIPs, celebrities and digital creators celebrating the talents shaping culture with fourteen awards handed out.
A proud Tongan and Gold Coast family man, Ilai topped creators like Latisha Clark, Tammy Hembrow, Jiny Maeng, and Ben Stubbs, thanking his 2.7 million-strong community.
“I’m so grateful for TikTok – it lets me showcase my family, comedy, and culture. I started making videos with my kids for fun and I never imagined it would turn into such a fulfilling career.
“To be here, winning this award voted by my TikTok fans is truly humbling. This recognition isn’t just for me, it’s for my family, and the community that’s supported me from day one,” said Ilai.
This year saw a record 6.4 million votes cast for the 2025 TikTok Awards, up three million on last year, proving it’s Australia’s biggest publicly voted awards show.
The crowd erupted when Wicked: For Good star and People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Jonathan Bailey, surprised everyone by presenting the TikTok For Good award to conservationist Josh Neille.
“What an incredible, sold-out celebration at the TikTok Entertainment Centre, broadcast live on Stan, and officially the biggest TikTok Awards in the world!” – Simon Bates
“Standing here tonight, I’m reminded that you don’t need magic to make a real difference. TikTok is known for creativity, humour, and entertainment but it’s also become a space where people take action, raise their voices, and lift up their communities.
“One video, one message, one spark of humanity can ripple outward and change lives,” said Jonathan Bailey on stage.
More than 5,000 people packed into the venue, with millions more watching on TikTok and Stan as Keli Holiday performed Dancing2 and Jude York delivered a moving version of ABBA’s Slipping Through My Fingers.
Creators, musicians, sportstars, and celebrities amped up the atmosphere, including Cody Simpson, Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Dylan Alcott, Nagi Maehashi, Courtney Act, Harry Garside, Midnight Til Morning, The Inspired Unemployed, Kat Clark, and Indy Clinton.
“What an incredible, sold-out celebration at the TikTok Entertainment Centre, broadcast live on Stan, and officially the biggest TikTok Awards in the world! This year’s winners have more than 38 million followers on TikTok combined and it’s a privilege to showcase our local creators to Australia and the world,” said Simon Bates.
Kiwi creators made their mark too, with Louis Davis winning New Zealand Creator of the Year, Theo Shakes taking out the first Entertainment Creator title, Andy Hearnden claiming Food Creator, and Lance Savali winning Music Artist of the Year.
Leah Halton (@looooooooch) scored Video of the Year again with a behind-the-scenes clip topping 150 million views, while All for Mimi won Business of the Year and Heidi Barlow took home the Learn on TikTok award.
Fans can catch all the highlights on @tiktok_australia, on demand on Stan, or on 9Go! from December 4th.
The 2025 TikTok Award winners
- Creator of the Year, presented by NESCAFÉ: Ilai Matangi (@havea_676)
- Video of the Year, presented by Tinder: Leah Halton (@looooooooch)
- TikTok for Good, presented by Wicked: For Good: Josh Neille (@josh_neille)
- New Zealand Creator of the Year: Louis Davis (@louisdavis_)
- Food Creator of the Year: Andy Hearnden (@andy_cooks)
- Business of the Year, presented by HP: All For Mimi (@allformimi)
- Sports and Fitness Creator of the Year, presented by EHP Labs: Hannah Pearson (@hannahhpearson)
- Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year, presented by Rimmel: Ellen Malone (@askellenbeauty)
- Music Artist of the Year, presented by Uber Eats: Lance Savali (@lancesavali)
- Entertainment Creator of the Year Award: Theo Shakes (@theoshakes)
- Learn on TikTok: Heidi Barlow (@womenshealthwithheidi)
- Comedy Creator of the Year: Liam Dowling and Ben Christopher (@nansfavourites)
- LIVE Creator of the Year: Ūla (@ulaulaula)
- High Quality Content Creator: Anthony Randello-Jahn (@thedonutdaddy)
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