The People’s Choice Awards is an American awards show held annually, recognizing people in production, gathering collective fans, and engaging the public with an online poll. This poll allows people globally to vote for the winning nominees. Many participate in this worldwide as a way to select their favorite celebrities. That was until some TikTokers made it in. TikTok is an app where users make and share creative content or videos like lip-synching to popular songs. 

   Many were not happy to hear TikTokers like Addison Rae and Charli D’amelio were selected for a category. The creators on the app have had a swift rise to stardom with the number one creator having nearly 91 million followers. It is believed that they are so many more talented people that deserve to be in other categories than others who make 15-second dancing and lip-synching videos. “Charli Damelio and her sister Dixie D’Amelio have created their makeup line with the makeup brand Morphe, as well as with Coastal Craze and released their very own sets of nail polish. Charli’s even collaborated with Dunkin’ Donuts, releasing her very own drink called ‘The Charli.’ Both D’Amelio sisters have been nominated alongside their good friend Addison Rae” (WC). She was able to do all this by making a 15-second video and fortunately blowing up.

   Addison Rae has also made her star debut. She has become good friends with the Kardashian sisters and is to be starring in a new remake movie “She’s all that,” driving her career to the next level. Many were not thrilled with this because they believe she isn’t “talented” enough and she just got lucky. Sophomore Mia Hernandez states, “I am not saying TikTok stars do not deserve to be recognized however there are so many more talented creators. For example, artists, singers, and actors who are so underrated and have much more potential than basic dancers.” They have not been allowed to make their stardom debut.

   While the people’s choice awards were made to honor those in production, TikTokers have been said to be getting it too “easy.” They don’t put much effort into their videos, taking advantage of all the likes and recognition. For example, Robert Downey Jr, who won The Male Movie Star of 2019 and The Action Movie Star of 2019 for the movie Avengers: Endgame. “Robert Downey Jr. has evolved into one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. With an amazing list of credits to his name, he has managed to stay new and fresh even after over four decades in the business” (IMDB). Meanwhile, it only took TikTokers a little over a year.

   Many actors work very hard to land their roles in Hollywood, so for TikTokers to be doing what takes them years in just one raises questions. Senior, Krystal Cruz shares, “I feel it is super unfair to the people in not just the music and acting industry, but for those who actually work to get to where they are in business. TikTok creators get it all too easy.” They get business deals just for a 15-second video applying make and get funds. 

   All in all, everyone has their opinions, everyone sees things differently. We can be happy for them as they are starting off very young making all the difference. Others see this as a threat but many see this as a big opportunity for young creators. Next time you see a verified TikToker you are inspired by, imagine if they made it. Would you be jealous?