The new Hollywood doesn’t have gates or velvet ropes, just a swipe, a like and a million new fans. Welcome to the TikTok era.
It started on smartphones. TikTok has emerged as the new Hollywood, not because it replaced films or television, but because it remapped how that fame was distributed. Before, fame was gated by casting agents, studios and networks. Today? It is as simple as a 15-second video becoming viral.
I believe TikTok has democratized stardom in a way Hollywood never could. Anyone with a phone, a good idea and some timing can become a household name overnight. We’ve seen it happen repeatedly. Charli D’Amelio, who is an American media personality and dancer, starred in the animated film StarDog and TurboCat and the supernatural thriller Home School. She also has a role in the film Hurry Up Tomorrow. She started by making dancing videos in her bedroom at the Hype House, which led to brand deals and TV appearances. However, her rise on TikTok— where she gained a record-breaking 157.1 million followers— broke open the gates, converting her viral popularity all around TikTok. Furthermore, Addison Rae, an American media personality and singer, went from a viral sensation to starring in her first film debut in the Netflix comedy film He’s All That in 2021. She then stared in the horror film Thanksgiving in 2023. This type of upward mobility in entertainment used to be almost mythical. Now, it’s algorithmic.
The power of TikTok is that it uses short-form media. This short-form media gives fast, engaging content optimized by a remarkably influential algorithm. It is easy to view, easy to make and immensely shareable. As opposed to long-form or complete content-centred platforms, TikTok relies on crude, uncensored clips. It’s endless scrolling and viruses might cause it to become addictive and enjoyable for users of all sorts.
The grand Hollywood narratives will always have their place, but TikTok is in rhythm with our lives today. People want entertainment served up in bite-sized chunks, and TikTok delivers it in a perpetual scroll of comedy, music, art and self-expression. It’s also given creators ultimate creative control, no studio execs and no script approvals to navigate; just raw, individual expression that rings much deeper with viewers than slickly crafted movies occasionally do.
Naturally, it’s not all sunshine and fame. Maintaining relevance on TikTok is a test of endurance. There’s pressure to constantly keep producing content, stay ahead of trends and connect with a global base of users. But it’s also led to a type of creative ingenuity that’s genuinely inspiring. TikTok users are exploring innovative storytelling techniques, connecting and creating communities from their content.
Ultimately, TikTok’s global reach and cultural influence have shaken the foundation of Hollywood. We’re seeing creators from the platform not only getting brand deals and product lines but crossing over into traditional media. The line between internet fame and mainstream success has blurred, and in many ways, TikTok is now the launchpad for the next generation of stars. Hollywood might still hold the red carpets, but TikTok owns the spotlight.
