Social media personality and food critic Keith Lee took home the highest honor of the 2025 TikTok Awards after he was named Creator of the Year at the inaugural ceremony.
Lee, a popular food reviewer who highlights small businesses, was visibly choked up in his acceptance speech after being handed the award by presenter Paris Hilton.
“When people say they didn’t think they were going to win, that’s not an understatement,” Lee said. “I never in a million years thought I would be standing on this stage.”
The former MMA fighter spoke about TikTok changing his life — imbuing him with a confidence he previously didn’t possess.
“I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t be in rooms with people. I doubted myself. I still doubt myself to this day,” Lee said. “TikTok allows people to spotlight the underdog.”
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The TikTok award show showcased a diverse range of creators, including beauty influencers, musicians, and more. You can check out all the details on Mashable’s live blog of the event. We also have a list of all the winners, including Lee.
Who is Keith Lee?
Lee is perhaps the preeminent food reviewer online. His influence in that world earned him a spot on Mashable’s list of the 101 most influential creators of 2025. In our profile, we wrote that he “has the power to single-handedly save a business with a positive food review — and he’s done it.”
With over 17 million followers on TikTok, Lee’s reach is massive.
Lee became known for a trademark delivery style, which is a mix of deadpan and staccato. It’s instantly recognizable when Lee delivers his catchphrase, “I got it, let’s try it, and rate it 1-10.” His brother, Kevin Lee, a professional MMA fighter, occasionally appears in his videos.
Lee also clearly cares about food and the people who make it. He’s made it a point to highlight the places that maybe get overlooked. As a part of the award, TikTok announced it would donate $50,000 to Feeding America in Lee’s honor, which feels like a fitting tribute.
