On a brisk evening at Magazine London, the United Kingdom played host to the second annual TikTok Awards, an event that has quickly become one of the most anticipated celebrations for digital creators and their vibrant communities. The ceremony, held on November 14, 2025, and hosted by the ever-energetic TV presenter Aj Odudu, drew a star-studded crowd and a global audience online, all eager to see which creators would be recognized for their innovative content and impact across 12 diverse categories.
But it was Max Klymenko—a transport enthusiast and career coach originally from Mykolaiv, Ukraine—who stole the show by clinching the coveted Creator of the Year award. Klymenko, now 29, has amassed a staggering 8.5 million followers on TikTok (and 3.7 million on YouTube, according to BBC), largely thanks to his ingenious "Career Ladder" series. This now-iconic segment features Klymenko setting up a literal stepladder in public spaces, inviting strangers to join him atop the rungs as he attempts, through a flurry of yes or no questions, to guess their professions. It's a simple concept, but one that has resonated deeply, breaking down stereotypes and sparking conversations about work, identity, and opportunity.
The journey to this moment was anything but easy for Klymenko. Fourteen years ago, he moved to the UK seeking a better future, but quickly found himself stymied by the job market. "I had a lot of anxiety and stress around finding a job so I created videos helping people know what jobs were available to them," he explained, as cited by the BBC. What began as a way to navigate his own employment struggles blossomed into a platform that empowers millions to explore new career paths and challenge their own assumptions.
During his emotional acceptance speech, Klymenko dedicated the award to his grandmother, who remains in Ukraine and, due to ongoing power outages, couldn't watch the ceremony live. He recalled how she once logged into TikTok from multiple accounts to boost his view count in his early days—a small act of familial devotion that clearly left a mark. "I'm calling her right after this," he promised, his gratitude palpable. He added, "Everything you see when you scroll on the toilet or in bed takes hours to make." The creator also took a moment to reflect on his immigrant journey, declaring, "For your own individual career ladders, nothing is out of reach. Slava Ukraini."
Klymenko's commitment to social causes extends beyond content creation. As reported by Mezha and the BBC, he has actively supported Ukrainian refugees impacted by the Russian invasion of 2022 and personally funded 100 abortion procedures for Ukrainian women in Poland who suffered sexual violence during the war—an intervention made all the more crucial by restrictive local laws. His advocacy has not gone unnoticed; in 2024, Forbes included him in its "30 Under 30" list for Media and Marketing, and in 2025, he joined NATO's Youth Advisory Council.
The TikTok Awards, however, are not just about one creator. The event showcased a dazzling array of talent, with nominees collectively boasting over 83 million followers. Winners were chosen by an impressive five million users, a testament to the platform's reach and the passionate engagement of its community.
Among the night's other standouts was Bemi Orojuogun, affectionately known as "bus aunty," who took home the Video of the Year award. Her viral clip—nearing 50 million views—features her narrowly dodging double-decker buses, a playful nod to her lifelong fascination with London's transport system. Orojuogun, a mental health nurse and grandmother, has parlayed her newfound fame into collaborations with major brands like Burberry and Ikea. "It's slightly overwhelming that everyone recognises me," she admitted to the BBC, but she expressed immense pride in her achievements and gratitude to figures such as Stormzy, whose repost of her video catapulted her to viral stardom.
The fashion and beauty category was dominated by Nikki Lilly, a 21-year-old creator who uses her platform to challenge conventional standards of beauty and promote inclusivity. Diagnosed at age six with an arteriovenous malformation, a rare and life-threatening condition, Lilly has never shied away from sharing her experiences with chronic illness and facial difference. "As someone with a facial condition, I've never felt fully embraced in this space," she said, but added that she has found "so much safety" within the TikTok beauty community. Her content, which she insists is more than just a "highlights reel," has inspired millions to embrace authenticity and self-acceptance.
Equally moving was the recognition of Tola and her son Kevin, who received the Voice for Change award for their candid documentation of life with autism. Tola recounted her feelings of isolation following Kevin's diagnosis 16 years ago, but credited TikTok for connecting them with an "amazing community who love and support Kevin." Their account not only raises awareness about autism but also fosters acceptance and understanding.
Entertainment Creator of the Year went to Charley Marlowe, a Radio 1 presenter whose infectious laugh and unapologetic celebration of her northern working-class roots have made her a household name. "Win or lose, we're on the booze, so I'm having a good night anyway," she quipped on the red carpet, later dedicating her win to "every northern, working-class diva." Meanwhile, Phil Carr, the Travel Creator of the Year, delighted fans with promises of quirky TikTok challenges in towns across the UK, including a marathon 16-hour stint at the Sweyn Forkbeard pub in Gainsborough—surely not for the faint of heart!
The full roster of winners underscored the remarkable diversity of TikTok's creator ecosystem. From food and sport to books, learning, and the arts, each honoree brought a unique voice and vision to the table. As the evening drew to a close, attendees and viewers alike were reminded of the profound influence social media creators now wield—not just in shaping trends, but in building communities, sparking dialogue, and driving real-world change.
The 2025 TikTok Awards were a celebration not only of individual achievement but of a global network of creativity, resilience, and connection. For Max Klymenko and his fellow winners, the night was a testament to the power of perseverance—and the enduring human stories behind every viral video.
