While Aussie entertainment fans are well versed in the Logies and ARIAs, the TikTok Awards are a recent post-pandemic addition to the awards calendar Down Under. As the first week of November has come to an end, we can well and truly kick off the countdown until the 2025 ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday, November 26 at the ICC Sydney Theatre. What’s more, voting closes in less than a week (Sunday, November 16), and it’s exciting to see three South Asian creators in the running for accolades this year. 

Jeremy Franco (@jezbreezy) is nominated in the Entertainment Creator of the Year category, Rowi Singh (@rowisingh) is in the running for the Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year, presented by Rimmel, and Sadia Yousofi (@sadiayousofi13) is up for LIVE Creator of the Year.

@jezbreezy

VOTE LINK IN BIO. Thank you all for your support 🤎

♬ original sound – Jeremy Franco

@rowisingh

Mehndi makeup!! Happy Diwali

♬ othaiyadi pathaiyila sped up – ♫

@sadiayousofi13

Link in my bio for voting!!!

♬ original sound – 👑 sadia 👑

Like many other social media platforms, TikTok has proven to be a popular platform for launching the careers of some of the country’s most recognisable social media and entertainment personalities. But business aside, it has arguably been even more instrumental in providing a space for diverse voices to share their stories, express themselves authentically and find a like-minded community who turns to them for their expertise, entertainment, representation and connection. 

In a previous interview with Draw Your Box, Franco opened up about growing his TikTok following in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian-born Sydneysider has successfully tapped into Gen Z’s TikTok obsession by depicting the hilariously entertaining and very honest way that children of immigrants interact with their parents. While he continues creating his famous Desi-Aunty-style content, his content is diverse. He’s interviewed Netflix stars, presented radio shows, walked at Australian Fashion Week and hosted several TikTok red carpets.

“Oh, I don’t think brown people are front and centre at all [in entertainment]! Sure, we’re making strides but that’s only because we’ve found little tiny pockets on the internet,” Franco told Draw Your Box in December 2023.

“The true test of the entertainment industry is mainstream media (television, radio etc), which I think still has a long way to go. I’m super glad to help add to this representation, but I would love to see more, and that’s why I do whatever I can to help provide others with some of those same opportunities.” 

Two years later, we can say not much has dramatically change in terms of cultural representation in entertainment. In fact, Franco touched on this in a recent video he posted, asking his followers to vote for him in this year’s TikTok Awards. You can watch it below: 

@jezbreezy It’s actually ridiculous #australia #diversity ♬ Married Life (From "Up") – Gina Luciani

There are 14 award categories in 2025 as the awards return for the fifth year, with Sophie Monk taking on hosting duties.

“The awards are a chance to celebrate the creativity, talent, and amazing community that makes TikTok so special. It’s a night for our creators and the fans who love and support them. Last year, a staggering 3.4 million votes were cast for the nominees – we’re hoping to smash that record this year!” Simon Bates, Head of Content for TikTok Australia and New Zealand, said in a press statement.

It will also be the first time that the ceremony is streamed live on Stan, with fans also able to catch the action on TikTok LIVE, and replays on 9Go!

“At Stan, we’re committed to celebrating entertainment in all its formats – from long-form global hits to short-form cultural moments that capture audiences everywhere,” Michelle Chandran, Acting Marketing Director at Stan, said in a press statement.

“TikTok has become one of the most powerful ways to connect with our fans, and the TikTok Awards are set to be a night bursting with energy, creativity and culture, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences everywhere.” 

With voting closing on Sunday, November 16, there’s still time to pick your favourite creators by searching TikTok Awards on TikTok and casting your vote from there. 

Here’s a full list of all of the nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards: 

Creator of the Year, presented by NESCAFÉ

Latisha Clark (@latishaclarkk), Ilai Matangi (@havea_676), Tammy Hembrow (@tammyhembrow), Jiny Maeng (@jinymaeng), Ben Stubbs (@stubbaa)

Video of the Year, presented by Tinder

Rachel Parkinson (@rachelparkinson5), Zane Fall (@zanefall), Alexandra Tuohey (@alexandratuohey), Jude York (@itsjudeyork), Leah Halton (@looooooooch)

Business of the Year, presented by HP

Bouf Haircare (@boufhaircare), All For Mimi (@allformimi), Cherry’s Goods (@cherrysgoods), Kic App (@kic), Rode Meats (@rode_meats)

Sports and Fitness Creator of the Year, presented by EHP Labs

Hannah Pearson (@hannahhpearson), Daniel Gorringe (@dandoesfooty), Brittany O’Brien (@brittanyobrienn), Kwame Duah (@kwameduahofficial), Tom Harris (@tomharrisfootball)

Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year, presented by Rimmel

Rowi Singh (@rowisingh), Florence Baitio (@florence_baitio), Eitan Broude (@eiitanbroude), Sasha Morpeth (@sashamorpeth), Ellen Malone (@askellenbeauty)

Music Artist of the Year, presented by Uber Eats

Larissa Lambert (@.larissalambert), Lance Savali (@lancesavali), Keli Holiday (@keliholiday), Max Jackson (@maxjacksonmusic)

Entertainment Creator of the Year Award

Rachael Evren (@rachevren), Maddy Turner (@maddy.mov), Aicha Robertson (@aichark), Theo Shakes (@theoshakes), Jeremy Franco (@jezbreezy)

Learn on TikTok

Ainslie Harvey (@hot.history), Kobi Brown (@astrokobi), Heidi Barlow (@womenshealthwithheidi), Vinh Giang (@askvinh), Luke Bateman (@lukesreads)

TikTok for Good

Ben McIntosh (@benjmcintosh), Josh Neille (@josh_neille), Clothing The Gaps (@clothing_the_gaps), Man Cave (@themancave_aus)

Comedy Creator of the Year

Archie and Miles Shepherd (@shepmates), Luke Kidgell (@luke.kidgell), Liam Dowling and Ben Christopher (@nansfavourites), Lyanna Kea (@lyanna_kea), Toni Lodge and Ryan Jon (@toniandryanpodcast)

LIVE Creator of the Year

Jake Waddell (@jakeytv), Ed and Ri (@itsedandri), Liam Conner (@liamconner_), Ūla (@ulaulaula), Sadia Yousofi (@sadiayousofi13)

New Zealand Creator of the Year

Daniel Rankin (@mancancooknz), Louis Davis (@louisdavis_), Paris Nuku (@parisnuku), Brit Cunningham (@brit_cunningham), The Morning Shift (@themorningshiftshow)

High Quality Content Creator

Melissa Yahyaoglu (@lovefrommelii), Anthony Randello-Jahn (@thedonutdaddy), Nicholas Burton and Dave Hoey (@thegrannyflat), Lachlan and Austin Macfarlane (@macfarlanebros), Jeremy (@jeremyfilmsthings)

Food Creator of the Year

Vincent Lim (@dimsimlim), Andy Hearnden (@andy_cooks), Catherine Zhang (@catherine.desserts), Laleh Mohmedi (@jacobs_food_diaries), Tom Smallwood (@tom.smallwood)

While you’re at it, don’t forget to follow Draw Your Box on TikTok (@drawyourbox), and also our Founder Alicia (@leeshiev).

Top image source: Instagram/jeremy.franco, Instagram/rowisingh, Instagram/sadiayousofi