TikTok’s Discover List 2022: Meet 50 Creators Who Are Making a Global Impact (EXCLUSIVE)

Tasnim Ali, @alitasnim (Rome, Italy)

CHANGEMAKER

Born in Arezzo and raised in Rome, Tasnim Ali shares her unique cultural background with the community in a fun and creative way. Her friendly personality shines on camera as she answers questions about her culture and traditions while dispelling misconceptions about her religion.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok completely changed me. Thanks to TikTok, I have a voice. Having such a wide audience listening to what I have to say is not always easy. I’m now aware that every single piece of content I create may influence someone else. This is something that changed the way I look at the world. Being selected as a Changemaker is something I actually can’t believe. It is a huge achievement for me. I try to fight prejudice by informing, sharing, and answering questions from my community. This accomplishment means my message is getting out there and resonating.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

There are many videos I’m proud of, but this one is the one that most represents me on TikTok. I try to talk about my culture and my religion in a friendly and ironic way. My goal is to leave a message, inform and share while making people smile. 

Auri Kananen, @aurikatariina (Finland)

CHANGEMAKER

Auri Katariina is a professional cleaner who shares her cleaning secrets with the world and finds that “the dirtier, the better.” She also cleans homes free of charge for people who live in cluttered and unsafe conditions due to struggles with their mental health. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I became an entrepreneur because of TikTok. Before TikTok, I was a service manager in a cleaning company, but because of my success through TikTok, I can afford to clean one home a week for free and give back to others. I love that I created a platform where people get excited about cleaning. I am grateful for the recognition and the opportunity to showcase my cleaning and mental health interests.

Dylan Mulvaney, @dylanmulvaney (California, USA)

CHANGEMAKER

Dylan Mulvaney is a trans actress, comic and content creator. Dylan’s viral series “Days of Girlhood,” a documentary of her transition journey, has reached more than one billion views. Pre-pandemic, Dylan played Elder White in the “Book of Mormon” Broadway musical, fresh out of college from the Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music. Dylan currently lives in Los Angeles with hopes of making trans stories mainstream. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has made so many of my dreams come true! I am extremely honored to be nominated. When I began my transition, I had no idea I could help so many others discover their own personal authenticity.

Hunter Prosper, @hunterprosper (Pennsylvania, USA)

CHANGEMAKER

Hunter Prosper is an ICU nurse who uses TikTok to share people’s stories by combining his love for listening and meeting new people to make videos showcasing that every stranger has a story. Hunter approaches strangers, asking them deep questions to show how people are more alike than different. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok opened my eyes to how big the world is and how we all matter. As a nurse, my main responsibility is to advocate for patients and make sure their voices are heard. I carry that same decree in my videos. It’s important now more than ever that we listen to one another and understand that we all have a story to tell.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

Joseph, because it was my first time leaving the city for an interview and it showed me that there are stories everywhere and within everyone. 

Iben MA, @iben_ma (Tangerang, Indonesia)

CHANGEMAKER

Iben MA has garnered a large following on TikTok for taking on various social challenges and documenting them on the app. He uses his platform to share fun experiences and social experiments globally. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I worked as a lawyer before TikTok and wasn’t able to travel for four years. Since I joined TikTok, I have been able to travel all over the world. It has been the most amazing experience and opportunity that I have ever had. Being honored as a Changemaker means a lot. I love sharing my experiences and social experiments on TikTok. I want my platform to be a place that shows how much diversity there is in the world.

What is your biggest goal at the moment?

To build a TikTok creator house in Indonesia and travel to 50 countries.

Osito Lima, @lima (Lima, Peru)

CHANGEMAKER

Osito Lima is a Peruvian content creator who promotes empathy by creating videos that showcase philanthropic actions. His content focuses on helping people on the street, bringing awareness to what others go through every day and empowering people with motivational and caring kind words like, “You are important. I love you.” 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has amplified my dreams and my mission to spread empathy. The Osito Lima project was inspired by how my parents came from extreme poverty and worked so hard for my siblings and me to have a better life. They battled adversity, went through hunger, experienced abandonment, and so many difficulties in life. I want to use my time on earth to promote empathy. Life can sometimes be so hard, so unfair, and so sad. We need to help each other, tell the world we care, hug more, say ‘I love you’ more, be the balance and be the change. It’s truly an honor to be on the Discover List because it helps my mission to reach more hearts together.

Which video are you most proud of creating?

Thanks to TikTok, a little child with down syndrome was saved from a terrible situation of abandonment. Thanks to the massive virality that the video had, the Peruvian Government adopted her in less than 24 hours through the ministry of Women and Family. 

Mamadou Ndiaye, @mndiaye_97 (New Jersey, USA)

CHANGEMAKER

Mamadou Ndiaye combines his love of all things animals with dry humor and quick wit to educate his followers on the wonderful and weird world of nature. He has explored his passion for zoology since he was three years old and now expresses this passion with his 15 million followers on TikTok. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok allowed me to turn my biggest passion and love for the animal world into a career, connecting me to millions of people. It’s extremely humbling to know something that started with me talking about animals and cracking jokes using Apple-wired headphones as a mic has afforded me so many opportunities and recognition. But most importantly, I’m able to use my platform to introduce or revive interest in the natural world to people from multiple walks of life. I’ve received messages from middle school and high school students, as well as those from people 30 to 40 years my senior, telling me how much they enjoy my videos. However, my favorite comments are from people telling me that I’ve inspired them to seek a career in marine biology, zoology, etc. Those messages are what make me truly feel as though I’m helping make a difference, and I believe that’s exactly what social media should be used for.  

Naomi Hearts, @naomiheartsxo (California, USA)

CHANGEMAKER

Naomi Hearts is a trans, plus-size, Latina creator known for spreading love and positivity through her comedic videos. She started her social media journey in 2020, inspiring people to be uniquely themselves. Naomi was recently named a 2022 TikTok Pride Trailblazer and booked a major modeling campaign. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I grew up in a single-parent household, which was challenging because we were homeless and living on someone’s couch at one point. Fourteen years later, I bought my first apartment, purchased a new car, booked three modeling campaigns, worked with numerous brands, and walked red carpets. Most importantly, I have a platform to show that no matter what society says about you, you are beautiful and valid! TikTok is a place where you really can do big things, and I am forever grateful for TikTok. To be nominated as a Changemaker feels so unreal! I never thought I would ever be heard as a trans, plus-size, Latina woman, but the universe had different plans. This means the world to me, and I am so grateful to have a platform to help educate an audience on a larger scale!

Kairyn Potts, @ohkairyn (Toronto, Canada)

CHANGEMAKER

Kairyn Potts is a Two Spirit, Nakota Sioux creator from Treaty Six Territory. On TikTok, he shares videos around his passions like gaming, acting, beauty, and fashion, while also advocating and educating his community.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has allowed me to take the work that I love doing — writing, acting, advocacy, education, and outreach — and has given me a huge platform. It’s also shown me that I am not alone in fighting for the things that mean a lot to me. It’s been a great tool of representation for Indigenous people, which I think has changed the world as we know it. Being nominated as a Changemaker is great and is incredibly humbling. It’s affirming as someone that strives every day to share, inspire and teach. One of my main purposes in life is to be an advocate, and TikTok has given me a way to do that effectively on a larger scale.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

I’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for writing and script development. Being able to write my own original content has given me a sense of accomplishment that I wouldn’t’ve had otherwise.  

Ana Laura Pacheco, @sciencewithana (Sinaloa, Mexico)

CHANGEMAKER

Ana is a chemical engineer by profession and a science communicator by passion. On her TikTok, she shares fantastic experiments that help her audience bring chemistry from the lab right to their homes. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has allowed me to do what I love the most: talk about science. It helped me fulfill dreams that seemed impossible for this young engineer — including being on TV, appearing on a science show, and collaborating with people and institutions that I have admired for years, like NASA. On the other hand, it gave me a platform to reach young people through educational and fun scientific content which can awaken their curiosity and motivate them to be the next generation of scientists. I’m trying to debunk the myth that science is boring or hard. Science is for everyone and it saves lives.

Abir El Saghir, @abir.sag (West Bekaa, Lebanon)

FOODIE

Abir El Saghir is a creator who combines her love for cooking and cinematography through her TikTok content. She is a self-taught chef who uses her platform to share the cinematic process behind creating delicious and new recipes. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

Creating on TikTok has helped me show the world my love and passion for cooking and baking. I’m much happier practicing my hobby and interacting with people from all around the world, and TikTok has given me the opportunity to be known by millions of people. It means a lot to me to be nominated as a Foodie on the Discover List. The hard work, love, and passion that I’ve added to every dish makes this nomination a huge achievement for me.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

I’m proud of the cabbage rolls recipe I created.  

Bayashi, @bayashi.tiktok (Japan)

FOODIE

Bayashi is a creator with over 34 million followers on TikTok. His fast-paced, surprising cooking videos have won the hearts (and stomachs) of viewers worldwide. Originally from Japan, his videos transcend national borders to entertain viewers around the world. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

My cooking knowledge is nowhere near professional level. The concept of each video is to make what I want to eat, and to post the process for others to enjoy as well. TikTok has motivated me to keep posting and has allowed me to hone in on my creativity and grow as a creator. The For You feed is overflowing with great videos from all over the world, so I work to make videos that stand out from the crowd. My videos have generated a lot of buzz as I make them eye-catching and interesting right from the start. After posting, I usually get a lot of comments which I enjoy, and which further motivate me to create more videos. When I first started posting, I thought ‘Will anyone ever watch my videos?’ But thanks to the TikTok community, my account has grown, and I have grown as a creator. I am very honored to be nominated as a Foodie, even though I don’t consider myself a professional chef.

Who are your favorite TikTok creators and how have they inspired you? 

King Chris. He loves anime and his passion is evident in his videos. His creativity brings joy to others and has helped him gain a large fan base. I hope that my videos convey the same passion to my viewers. 

Shereen Pavlides, @cookingwithshereen (New Jersey, USA)

FOODIE

Shereen is a professionally trained chef and creator from New Jersey who encourages viewers to cook from scratch. She shares her recipes through a step-by-step process and includes detailed visuals so that anyone can create the perfect consistency and texture of food to achieve restaurant-quality dishes at home. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has allowed me to be my true self by giving me the platform to express my passion for food. I’m humbled and appreciative to be nominated as a Foodie. My passion is to help my followers feel like rock stars in their own kitchen and I love sharing that with the world.

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

The experience and exposure I’ve had on TikTok has exceeded my goals. Ever since I was a little girl it’s been a dream of mine to share my passion for cooking and empower people to cook like a rock star in their own kitchen. This platform has enabled me to connect and reach people throughout the world. I want to continue to educate myself and my followers to cook better everyday in the kitchen. 

Daen Kelly, @daenskitchen (Melbourne, Australia)

FOODIE

Taking inspiration from her Spanish and Italian heritage and global travels, Daen’s recipes are built on celebrating bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Generosity and accessibility are at the heart of everything she cooks. She loves pasta and garlic, and olive oil runs through her veins. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

When my first food video went viral, everything changed for Daen’s Kitchen. I was so excited because it made me feel like all my hard work was paying off. After that, my followers grew rapidly, everyone was making my recipes and I received incredible job offers. I’ve been able to turn Daen’s Kitchen from a side hustle into a self-sufficient profiting company. My page has become a safe space for those who have struggled with body image, eating disorders or the toxicity that comes from diet culture. While that wasn’t my initial intention, my account was shaped this way when people felt it was their right to comment on what I ate, how my body looked, and the amount of calories in my food. I wanted to turn this negative experience into something positive. So I continued to cook and eat what I loved and made my followers feel empowered to do the same. I love food. It is a part of me, my identity and my Spanish and Italian heritage. I now have a beautiful relationship with food and that is something I want to continue to share with my community. I do everything I can to create a safe space and promote a positive relationship with food.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

My garlic confit video! It’s such a visually stunning video and I can see why people were so drawn to it. I have also had so much fun creating so many recipes with garlic confit. Tossing hundreds of cloves into my beautiful ceramic baking dish and then listening to the glugs of olive oil as it’s being poured over them will never get old for me. 

Dimas Ramadhan Pangestu, @dimsthemeatguy (Jakarta, Indonesia)

FOODIE

Dimas is a content creator and a meat enthusiast from Indonesia that loves to share his passion and hobby through the world of steaks. His vision is to educate and introduce people to cooking a good steak, choosing a slice of good meat and showing others that cooking steak is a fun and energizing activity. He wants to share with the world that, with heart and consistency, anyone can make the perfect steak. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has drastically changed my life. From being a regular meat enthusiast in a small kitchen, to having a proper studio kitchen and finally opening my own steakhouse, it has been a dream come true. This Foodie recognition is something I’ve never imagined for myself. It shows that the people have fully acknowledged my hard work, and they get value from my content. 

Priya Sharma, @himynameispriya (Sydney, Australia)

FOODIE

Priya Sharma is a creator from Australia who loves making unique recipes inspired by her Indian heritage, while using her dad’s “special spice mix.” In 2020, she quit her engineering job to live in a van and travel around Australia while sharing the daily meals she cooked in the back of the van. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

Because of TikTok, I was able to quit my engineering job. I always thought I would have to go back in one year because that’s all the money I had saved up. With TikTok, I am able to keep pushing that return to work date out more and more. In so many ways, I’m now embracing my true self. Growing up, I was insecure about opening my lunchbox at school because it was different from all my friends. Now, for the first time in my life, I’m able to share my culture on a safe place like TikTok, and be fully embraced. Being nominated is healing my 4-year-old self and that’s a true gift.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

The Kardashians’ daughters’ TikTok accounts. I think it’s the cutest thing ever.  

Mari Monet and Candice Danae, @mariandcandicee (Georgia, USA)

FOODIE

Candice and Mari are content creators from Pittsburgh, Penn. Candice is the little sister who cooks for her big sister, Mari, and every day Candice changes the game when it comes to cooking and plating meals for her big sister. Since the series started, Candice has made everything from mouth-watering dishes to out-of-this-world food creations. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has changed our life drastically. Content creating is our life and job now. We are very proud to say we started a trend and we are glad we made our mark in the foodie world. For us to be nominated as a Foodie on the Discover List is mind-blowing. We are actually still in shock. We have lots of fun but we also work really hard to create the best content possible, so it shows that hard work really does pay off. 

Where do you find inspiration?

We find inspiration through our stomachs, telling us exactly what we are in the mood for that day!

Patricio Carvalho, @patriciocarvalho21 (Brasília, DF, Brazil)

FOODIE

Patricio Carvalho has built a following for his delicious barbecue videos. Living in the forest, he combines his passion for nature and gastronomy in his videos. His videos are easy for anyone to follow, with easy-to-make recipes. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I feel honored to be nominated as a Foodie. As a fire and meat enthusiast, it’s been incredible to dedicate my career to being a creator. TikTok has opened up many opportunities for me and receiving this recognition is wonderful.

Samo Frais, @samofrais (Texas, USA)

FOODIE

Samo Frais combines his love for cooking and cinematography through his TikTok videos. He uses his creativity to share the cinematic process behind creating delicious recipes and easy-to-make meals. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I love being able to create and share my passion with people, whether they are across the world or next door. Creating on TikTok has also given me financial freedom and the ability to create more and dream bigger. This recognition allows me to reflect on the times when I would help my grandmother prepare Thanksgiving dinner, and she would be singing and teaching me how to cook in the kitchen. Sharing my passion for food on TikTok has been life-changing — and this nomination is the icing on the cake.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

My banana pudding recipe video — This is the video I’m most proud of because to me this was the “moment.” After creating it, it showed me how far I’ve come since creating and posting my first video on TikTok.  

Nigel Kabvina, @sxmplyni (Manchester, United Kingdom)

FOODIE

Nigel Kabvina is a digital food and mixology creator known for spearheading #BrunchTok in August 2021. He uses art, music, mixology and theatrics to create a food experience in short 40-second moments. He consistently strives to make his dramatic dishes accessible by using everyday objects people can find at home, to cater to foodies and people who may struggle with their appetite and having breakfast in the morning. His TikTok bio asks one simple question — “Have you eaten today?” 

How has TikTok changed your life?

It’s the small moments on TikTok that constantly shock me. I am thankful for everything. When I receive DMs, comments and messages from young people telling me that they struggle to eat, but watch my videos and are encouraged to go the extra mile for themselves while cooking, it warms my heart. I am humbled beyond belief — I discovered recently that I am one of the most followed Black food creators on TikTok (and the internet) and I felt this overwhelming sense of responsibility to honor every single person who has followed me and shared in so many beautiful moments with my loved ones and me over food. The best is yet to come.

What is your biggest goal at the moment? 

A cooking show like you have never seen before. I want it to be like theater! 

DeMarcus Montgomery, @artbydemarcusshawn (Illinois, USA)

ICON

DeMarcus is an actor and comedian who found massive success over a short period of time with his super relatable comedy skits on TikTok. His fun-loving and evergreen comedic outlook on life has helped him become recognizable on and off the platform. Originally from Chicago, DeMarcus is now focusing his efforts on expanding his social media empire and pursuing opportunities in fashion, acting and writing for various TV shows.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has completely changed my life. I have had so many amazing opportunities that have come my way due to the success I have found on the platform. Being nominated as an Icon is such a huge honor and means so much to me!

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

To take my parents to the Oscars.

Drew Afualo, @drewafualo (California, USA)

ICON

Drew Afualo, best known as TikTok’s “crusader of women”, is a part of the new Hollywood’s next generation of rising stars. From her hilariously witty content to her authentic approach to calling out misogyny via viral takedowns on the app, Drew is taking women’s empowerment to new levels through her commentary. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has changed my life in the best way possible and has given me a life I could only dream of. But most importantly, it’s given me my true purpose. I thought I was meant for something else in this life but this platform has shown me what I was actually destined for. I owe it all to TikTok. This is truly such an honor to me. As a Samoan woman who grew up with little to no representation in the media, being honored as a global creator in the Icon category for TikTok is surreal. I am so happy I get to not only represent TikTok, but also the many women and others who draw strength from my content. I am forever grateful to this app for the ability to truly make a difference in the world.

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

My biggest goal is to continue to inspire so many different people to never settle in any of their relationships or life in general, and to love themselves unconditionally. 

Fabiola Baglieri, @fabiola.baglieri (Milan, Italy)

ICON

Fabiola Baglieri is known and loved by the TikTok community for her ability to create beautiful makeup looks backed by creativity, humor, talent and kindness. She believes everyone should be true to themselves, and aims to share that message in her videos. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I grew up in a small city where I was bullied for how I looked, and for a long time, I thought that was all I would experience for the rest of my life. TikTok was a light in my life that changed everything. This platform offered me new possibilities, the chance to share my talents with the world, and live my dreams. To be nominated as part of the Discover List is one of my biggest achievements. As a role model in the beauty category, I feel that I have a huge responsibility to communicate how important it is to accept yourself, remain true to who you are and not adapt to beauty standards. It makes me happy to be able to see how people recreate my videos, feel emotions, react positively and spread my message.

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

My biggest goal is to become an actress. Because of this, I am embarking on this new path with TikTok, where I take the people who follow me on my acting journey. I make videos day by day where I show all the most interesting things I do and then step by step how I am pursuing my dream.   

I don’t want to waste a moment by not involving my followers on how hard this journey is by only showing the beautiful moments, like one day being in a movie. My goal is to show people that everything isn’t perfect all the time. The world is not perfect. In the same way there are good times, there are also many bad ones and that’s fine! It’s the beauty of imperfection, of the unexpected of everyday life. As I always say: how do you appreciate light if you never see dark? 

Fannita Leggett, @fannita (California, USA)

ICON

Fannita Leggett is an internet comedian and the self-proclaimed “No. 1 menace in the nation” because of her hilarious observations and comedic responses to viral TikTok videos. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and has cultivated a loyal audience because of her candor.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

My life took a complete 180 in just one year, and I would’ve never expected to have come this far in such a short amount of time. TikTok has helped me cultivate a community and given me many opportunities I never imagined. I’ve met many amazing people and made incredible friendships along the way. Now, I’m living my dream to the fullest. I honestly can’t put into words what this nomination means to me, I’m so glad my content has made such an impact. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and for people to see a part of me from behind the camera. TikTok has been a catalyst for changing my life completely and I’m forever thankful.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

TikTok has helped me discover my purpose. I never knew what I wanted to do with my life and now I feel like I found my calling.  

Francis Bourgeois, @francis.bourgeois (London, United Kingdom)

ICON

Francis Bourgeois is the internet’s best-known and most beloved trainspotter. Francis has achieved massive success by documenting his warm, inspiring and uplifting adventures trainspotting — championing unadulterated joy and the importance of embracing your passions to his followers. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

What was first a creative outlet has now given me the ability to spread positive energy and joy to millions of people. It is a gift I am very thankful for and I owe it all to TikTok for amplifying creators’ passions that would’ve otherwise remained in a bedroom or on a footbridge. Also, I get asked for photos and chat with people in the street who have watched my videos all the time! I feel incredibly honored and thankful to anyone and everyone who has watched my videos. To be able to be a professional trainspotter and be nominated as an Icon on the Discover List is bamboozling! I never thought videos of my hobby would take me to where I am now.

Jimmy Jan, @jimmyjan (Newcastle, Australia)

ICON

Jimmy Jan is a 22-year-old creator who wheeled onto the TikTok scene in January 2022, sharing his story of the skiing accident that left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Not letting his “oopsie” slow him down, Jimmy shows his positive outlook and humorous attitude towards life through his content. Since then, Jimmy has been documenting his journey living with a disability, all with a smile on his face. Jimmy continues to seek thrills, adventures and new experiences all while sharing it on TikTok. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

When I posted my first TikTok I had no idea how many doors it would open for me. I’ve been able to build such a strong, supportive community and share my experience of living with a disability. I never imagined having a platform like this, where I can show so many people that life doesn’t stop with a disability. It might be different, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be awesome. It’s so wild to see my name on the Icons list, and such an honor. My approach to life is to focus on the good stuff that happens, and not get too caught up in the bad, so that’s the vibe of my content. I’m pretty stoked that people find that ‘iconic.’ I’m not here to be inspirational, because I’m just a regular person who happens to be going through life in a wheelchair, but I’ll take “Icon” any day of the week.

Linh Barbie, @linhbarbie (Thu Duc City, Vietnam)

ICON

Linh Barbie is a creator with over 18.6 million followers, known for her array of content — including POVs, short films, comedy, dance covers and more. Her goal is to spread positivity through content creation on TikTok. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I am very happy and honored to be on the list of nominees — it means a lot to me. Ever since I discovered TikTok, my life has completely changed. I am expressing myself, I’m more confident and comfortable speaking publicly, and I’ve gotten to know many people who I now consider friends. TikTok has helped me transform into a new person due to the love and support from the community. I hope to continue to spread positive energy to everyone.

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

I will continue to create on TikTok and develop my other strengths as an actor. I want to become an actor who is recognized by everyone.

Nicholas Flannery, @nicholas_flannery (California, USA)

ICON

Nicholas Flannery is a British comedy creator that satirizes pop culture and iconic film moments such as the “Rich White Lady” or the “Wife That Dies at the Beginning of the Movie” from drama series like “The Undoing” and “Big Little Lies.“

How has TikTok changed your life?

Within a year my life has changed monumentally. What keeps me going is the relationship I have with my followers, particularly anyone who is struggling. Knowing that a video of mine has helped ease their pain for even a moment that day, I know what I do is worth it. I truly must thank them, as they have lifted me up with devotion and kindness when I have needed it most. TikTok is a wonderful place where you can find and build a community that you relate to, plus be in touch with the world with the tap of a finger. I am eternally grateful for the support of my followers and those who have lifted me up in the last year. To be in this prestigious category has been a dream of mine and I do not take the privilege of this opportunity for granted. I am honored to be considered amongst some of the greatest and funniest minds on TikTok.”

Where do you find inspiration? 

I’m inspired by the ’90s and ’00s films focusing on female empowerment. My content is a love letter to the female heroines I watched in film and TV growing up, whose stories and strength inspire me to this day! 

WonJeong, @ox_zung (Seoul, Korea)

ICON

WonJeong is known for his sense of humor and for making creative and fun stitch videos about his daily life. After starting on TikTok two years ago, his audience has grown to over 49 million followers and counting across the globe. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has changed my whole life. I did not expect my life to turn out the way it is right now by simply making TikTok videos. I wouldn’t have imagined myself working as a full-time creator, since I always thought I’d be working as an audio engineer. Being nominated as an Icon is very meaningful and impressive — I’m thankful because it’s my followers who have made all of this happen. And these life-changing experiences will continue to happen — being a creator has changed my life, my surroundings and me as a person. And I’m ready to embrace it all. I will continue to work hard to keep creating great content!

Who are your favorite TikTok creators and how have they inspired you? 

khaby.lame, spider_slack and homm9k are my favorite TikTok creators. I love watching their videos. They are all so unique and inspire me. 

Cecilia Blomdahl, @sejsejlija (Svalbard, Norway)

ICON

Cecilia Blomdahl moved to Svalbard, an island close to the North Pole, seven years ago, intending to only stay for a few months. However, she fell in love with life in the Northernmost town and uses TikTok to show what life is like in the arctic — the land of the midnight sun and northern lights. This also means showing the world how something simple like walking her dog can be so different in a place like Svalbard because she has to walk with a shotgun on her back due to the polar bear population on the island.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has completely changed my life. Not only has it made it possible for me to be a creator full time, but it has also created a community for me — a community full of different kinds of personalities that are so positive and encouraging and make me smile every day. I’m very thankful for the TikTok community and for all of the possibilities that have come from creating content. This nomination is a true honor. The power of TikTok and how it opens up a view of the world is remarkable. It gives people an opportunity to connect with, and experience, different cultures and lifestyles in a very authentic way. To be able to have a positive impact on other people’s lives is truly what it is all about for me, and I’m very grateful that TikTok makes that possible.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

I find myself learning something new every day on TikTok! From how to create good feng shui in my home with @dearmodern, what the morning routine of a news anchor looks like with @carolineontv, to what life is like for someone who has autism with @hatsbyabbey. 

Adrian Bliss, @adrianbliss (London, United Kingdom)

INNOVATOR

Adrian Bliss is a creator, writer and performer from London, best known for his comedy sketches on TikTok which explore everything from history to natural science to religion. Adrian’s work has earned him over 11 million followers across social media and he has been profiled in CNN, The Guardian and Vogue — the latter listing him as one of the funniest accounts on TikTok in 2021. With his unique ability to create sketch videos that become viral sensations, he has become an incredibly valued partner to brands like Amazon, Dungeons & Dragons and the BBC. Adrian also has numerous TV projects in varying stages of development, and was most recently named one of the New Faces of Comedy at Just For Laughs. He is represented by WME and Settebello Entertainment. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has given me a perfect outlet for all the fantastical or silly ideas that have previously just lived inside my head, bouncing about without a home. On a platform filled with so many incredibly creative and funny people, I’m excited to be seen as an Innovator on the Discover List. TikTok continues to motivate and inspire me to create new and original ideas that will hopefully bring a smile to others.

Where do you find inspiration? 

I really enjoy making things about historical figures and events. So books, articles and museums are great sources of inspiration. Scrolling through costumes online is also a fun way to come up with ideas. 

Caroline Klidonas, @carolineklidonas (California, USA)

INNOVATOR

Caroline Klidonas is an actor and writer who creates parody videos based on popular TV and film tropes. Whether it’s a medical drama, a corporate romcom, or a Zodiac-inspired fantasy series that spans four seasons, Caroline blurs the line between parody and sincerity, resulting in distilled storylines that are both surprisingly binge-worthy and utterly cringeworthy.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

Sharing my content has helped me build trust in myself and in my creative ideas. As someone who has always felt at odds with what you’re supposed to do to be “successful” as an actor and a writer, it means a lot to have my work celebrated in this particular category. I have always let creative joy and curiosity be the guiding force behind my content even when the fears of it not landing or being perceived as too cringe or too weird were at the back of my mind. I hope that the creative risks I take inspire others to make things they believe in — to act on those ideas they daydream about at stop lights, to trust their creative impulses, and to have more fun! Innovation becomes possible when we invest in creative expression, both within ourselves and each other.

Where do you find inspiration? 

I’m inspired simply by the scenes and characters I most want to play as an actor. There have been many times when I’ve been inspired by a specific location or environment, which is really fun, because I’ll just move around the space and see what characters come out. Abandoned fountain? Small-town thriller mystery it is!  

The brutal heat in the summer always puts me in the mood to do something dystopian, like an apocalypse movie or a zombie series. Other times, my entry point is a single line of dialogue or a trope or genre that has always been a favorite. For example, I did a lot of coming-of-age movie tropes early on. Movies in that genre were a huge catalyst for my desire to pursue acting as a teen – the angst! The drama! The self-discovery! But, I aged out of those roles a long time ago. I didn’t realize it when I was making those early videos, but I think some part of me found it healing to play them out, knowing that I’d never get to on a professional level. 

Jarred Gazarian, @jarredjermaine (California, USA)

INNOVATOR

Jarred Jermaine is a music knowledge creator with 20 years of experience producing and engineering music. He loves to create content where he can connect with people through song and pop culture. On TikTok, he has amassed a following of 4 million people by creating content educating people on sample origins, introducing songs that sound similar and sharing sound information. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has completely changed my life in the best way possible. I could never have imagined the opportunities TikTok would have given me just by making fun videos. Being nominated as an Innovator means the world to me — I’ve never been nominated for something of this level, and this recognition encourages me to keep doing what I do even more!

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

My biggest goal is to be the best at what I do and continue to grow. I try to push myself to the limit by making sure I am always mentally and physically challenging myself. I never want to never stay stagnant or comfortable. Instead, I’m always uncomfortable trying to do things I thought I could never accomplish.  

Ryan Omoto and Daniel Omoto, @justthenobodys (California, USA)

INNOVATOR

Just The Nobodys is an account with over 8.9 million followers where two brothers, Ryan Omoto and Daniel Omoto, discuss pop culture, television shows, movie fandoms, life hacks and science facts. Just The Nobodys has reshaped and reinvented podcast content on TikTok — their content also represents not having to be a “somebody” to make a difference in the world. Just The Nobodys is a community-based account showcasing family friendly content and inclusivity — with a goal to pave new paths of representation and inspire future generations to chase their ambitions and create positive content without compromising their values or morals.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

We are so grateful to TikTok and to everyone who watches our videos. There is no other app that allows anyone to be seen by millions of people organically — TikTok gives everyone an opportunity to be seen and heard. Through the amazing For You Page, we feel free to talk about our passions and are able to build a community with like-minded people who have the same passions as us. It is such a huge honor for Just The Nobodys to be recognized as Innovators. TikTok has been able to provide us opportunities to work with our dream brands, attend movie premieres, interview our childhood heroes and make amazing friends. We are so grateful to TikTok — the platform has changed our lives in ways we never thought were possible.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

The video we are most proud of creating is being able to collaborate with our favorite directors of all time, Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed “Avengers: Endgame” and recently “The Grayman.”

Shahira Azlan, @shahirazlan (Pahang, Malaysia)

INNOVATOR

Shahira Azlan is a lifestyle content creator known for creating beautiful and colorful makeup tutorials. She has become well-regarded as a makeup artist throughout Malaysia, resulting in local businesses reaching out to her for collaboration opportunities.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has changed my life a lot. Now, people are starting to recognize my art and talent. Being nominated as an Innovator means a lot to me! I can be an example for people out there that from nothing we can be something.

Sir Bucks and Janina, @thefashioncouple (Frankfurt, Germany)

INNOVATOR

Sir Bucks and Janina Neoral, aka TheFashionCouple, are focused on elevating style and confidence through their videos on TikTok. The couple share coordinated looks, typically with a statement hat, which has captured the hearts and attention of many. They aim to prove that race and gender should never be a barrier when it comes to fashion, love and unity. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

To us, innovation is a must-have ability as a creator. Creating something new, executing ideas and starting trends are things you can always count on us for. The TikTok trend of walking on a treadmill to showcase outfits was innovated by us. Who would have thought that walking on a treadmill could be this cool? TikTok has changed our lives in a very positive way. Thanks to TikTok, we have become full-time content creators and have been able to monetize our platform, making it our main source of income. It has given us an opportunity to showcase our talent, passion and uniqueness, and has given us the platform to be an inspiration to both our local community and the world.

Where do you find inspiration? 

This question always takes us on a spin, but would you believe if we said we are our own inspiration? The truth is we actually don’t look around much for inspiration. Of course we may find some good ideas and inspiration from other creators in our field, but honestly most of our inspiration comes from us. What we feel or could imagine, we bring it to reality in the form of content. 

Tra Dang, @tra.dang.904 (Hai Phong City, Vietnam)

INNOVATOR

Tra Dang is a creator who has been making transformative content for over six years. She currently has over 19 million followers on TikTok and enjoys producing content where she can combine her passion for dancing and singing.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

The opportunity to create content on TikTok has made my life dynamic and interesting. I am thrilled and proud to be on the Discover List this year. As a content creator, I love challenging myself to create better content and positively contribute to the TikTok community.

Vika Bren, @vikabren.art (Israel)

INNOVATOR

After many years of body painting and creating other styles of art, Vika set a goal of creating 100 hand paintings composed of optical illusions on TikTok. After completing that goal, she continues to create endless paintings that challenge the imagination and vision. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

It is a great honor to be considered an Innovator, especially as an artist. More than a decade ago, when I started painting on the body, people didn’t quite understand it. Now, a lot of people have an appreciation for art, and I’m happy that my art brings out emotions from people in some way and excites them. TikTok helped me fulfill my life’s dream of becoming a full-time artist. Through TikTok, I was given the opportunity to connect with lots of people around the world. The TikTok community feels like home because it is home to real and amazing people.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

I discovered that TikTok is not about trends, but about authenticity and honest creativity. This is the first time I feel comfortable showing all the good and not so “good” sides of my mind. 

Younes Zarou, @youneszarou (Germany)

INNOVATOR

As the modern-day magician of creative content, Younes’ videos are a playful recipe of wild stunts, colorful effects and unique edits that leave you questioning how he pulls it off. His success isn’t an illusion — while most people have one thumb on the pulse, he has two, leaving viewers inspired to hit up their own inner creativity. He has built a massive community based on creativity and positivity. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has changed my life completely. I have more than 50 million followers, and I’m recognized as one of the biggest creators in Germany and one of the biggest worldwide. This recognition means a lot to me because I’ve been creating content for several years and this shows that my creative output is being seen by the TikTok community! 

Zonosann, @zono.sann (Tokyo, Japan)

INNOVATOR

Zonosann is a leading visual artist with over 2.7 million followers on TikTok. He combines incredible cinematography, animation and storytelling to pull viewers into an amazing visual experience. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

My career has completely shifted to being a full-time content creator. The people I work with have become some of the best people I know. It is an honor to be recognized as an Innovator on this year’s Discover List. TikTok has become a great outlet for me to showcase my artistic talent with the global community.

Which video are you most proud of creating? 

My favorite video is the behind-the-scenes look of filming a subject using a parachute.  

Jan Trejo, @.janmahavan (Mexico)

ORIGINATOR

Jan Trejo is an AR designer who uses his platform to share the many effects he creates. He loves to create intuitive and playful effects that spark trends on the platform — including well known effects like “Who’d You Rather? By Jan,” all the TapTap series effects, “TapTap ABC by Jan” and “Personality by Jan,” which have been shared by millions on TikTok. His distinctive style and cohesive design can be easily recognized across all of his effects.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

It’s beyond exciting to be nominated as an Originator — TikTok is my favorite platform to create content and where I feel most comfortable. I wanted to create something very interactive and animated, so creators could make and share content in a very easy and fun way. With this in mind, I sat down, opened the Effect House and started using a few tools from the software to play around. Once I had a clearer idea of what I wanted, I decided to use emojis, letters and numbers as the focal point of the effect. This is how my first TapTap effects were born. The response they got was incredible — my effects were shared more than a million times overnight. From there, I kept improving the same idea and giving it different twists, many times based on the suggestions that creators left in my video comments. I love how users that feel connected to your content interact with you through comments, tags, DMs or even duets — everything feels so organic.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

Lately I’ve seen a lot of creators using the new TikTok voice effects while including and bringing back some of my effects. It’s really fun to see how they want to get the emojis in order with funny voices. 

Aida Fitri, @aidafi3 (Banda Aceh, Indonesia)

ORIGINATOR

Aida is a dance creator based in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Aida is known for creating choreography to the song “Darari” by TREASURE, which successfully propelled her profile to stardom. The trend rapidly grew in popularity starting in February 2022 due to its usage by TikTok users, including major celebrities in Indonesia. The choreography that Aida created was also used by TREASURE in their concerts. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

After the dance went viral on TikTok, a lot of “teume,” TREASURE’s fandom, reached out to me personally to share their appreciation with me for creating the “Darari” dance. All of the comments were really touching and positive and I couldn’t believe that the dance that I created could be so well received and appreciated by the TikTok community. I am really excited to learn that what I do as a content creator on TikTok could have a positive impact on other people’s lives. In addition, thanks to the exposure I got from the “Darari” dance, I was also given the opportunity to perform the dance at the “TikTok For You Stage” event recently with other TikTok creators from Indonesia and outside Indonesia. Thanks to TikTok, I can channel my hobby creatively, which helps me to be more confident now.

Ariana Taylor, @arri.arii (New York, USA)

ORIGINATOR

Ariana has been dancing since she was 4 years old, and she has continued to share her love for dance by creating hip-hop videos on TikTok that inspire and encourage others to dance along. She has created several viral dance challenges.

How has TikTok changed your life?

When I create a dance, I decide on what kind of dance I want to create — a trendy dance, a mix of choreo dance and TikTok dancing, slow motion dancing, etc. — once I figure that out I start creating! Creating on TikTok has most definitely changed my life. Expressing my creative side has taught me more about myself than anything. It helps me grow as a person, makes me feel more confident in myself and helps me understand the people around me as well. Being an Originator means the world to me, and it fills up my purpose in ways I couldn’t even imagine.

Where do you find inspiration? 

I find inspiration everywhere, including life experiences, music, other niches on TikTok and more. As a creator, social media always helps me get ideas flowing. TikTok’s FYP especially keeps me on my toes — I’ll even get a dance idea from a food video! 

Avemoves, @avemoves (Bremerhaven, Germany)

ORIGINATOR

Avemoves is known for his smooth moves and signature mask. The mask represents the ability to achieve anything, regardless of who you are or where you come from. He believes that your performance should be the only thing that matters. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

You know that moment when you see someone do something, and you think to yourself ‘why did I not come up with this idea?’ I was always telling myself once I got a great idea, I would execute it. I noticed that dance groups wore masks, but not single dancers — so boom: I ordered the mask, and started making content with it. Being your true self and trusting the process is a key ingredient to get further than you could ever imagine. You are unique and you should empower that. Be like no one else. Becoming an independent individual through TikTok has made me realize that pursuing your passion is the best thing a person can do. There is nothing greater than that.

David Vu, @davidvooo (Oslo, Norway)

ORIGINATOR

David Vu is a creator from Oslo, Norway who combines his playful taste in dance and fashion through videos on TikTok. Together with his girlfriend Yasmin Hassan, he shares joyful dances and fashion inspiration in hope to make viewers smile. David is also a member of the Quick Style, a group that has taken the world by storm this year with their viral wedding dance.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok has given me a voice I didn’t know that I had, and a platform to share my personality through dance and fashion. I get to connect with so many people that I wouldn’t have been able to meet had it not been for TikTok. Being nominated as an Originator is truly a recognition I feel honored by. I started using this platform for fun, and it has quickly shaped into a place for me to showcase my style in both dance and fashion — to see so many people enjoying my content is overwhelming. The dance itself was really spontaneous — it happened during a road trip in Norway. While in the car my girlfriend put ‘Get Into It (Yuh)’ on the aux, and immediately I was hooked by the flow and said that I was going to create a dance challenge to the song. I started to choreograph while in the car, and when we got to our destination I showed the dance to the group — my girlfriend Yasmin and my two friends Umar and Kunal. First thing my girlfriend said was to slow the dance down a little, then Umar encouraged me to include a move in this dance that I had previously created for another dance. Then me, Yasmin and Kunal found a good spot with one of the fjords in the background and started to film the TikTok video. The rest is history.

What’s your biggest goal at the moment? 

My biggest goal at the moment is to direct a musical as I aspire to become a film director. Together with my dance background, connection with music and love for cinema, I want to create a musical never seen before. 

Amahree Carwise, @icymahree (South Carolina, USA)

ORIGINATOR

Amahree is a creator from Piedmont, S.C. who has created countless trends and viral sounds since downloading TikTok in August 2019. He uses his platform to share his personality with the world and in doing so, has become the Originator of many trends while gaining worldwide love and support in the process. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

When it comes to these trends, I honestly don’t have a set process, I feel like it’s more of a lifestyle. I just do it. There’s really nothing else to it honestly. It feels good to be appreciated and acknowledged as an Originator — I’ve started so much on TikTok and I’m happy to now be seen, heard, and paid attention to! TikTok has made such an impact on me and has given me a place to be myself and meet new people. I am so happy to be a part of the TikTok community. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me.

Who are your favorite TikTok creators and how have they inspired you? 

Some of my favorite creators are Arrington, Monet McMicheal and Tatayanna Mitchell. I love Arrington’s natural humor and content, Monet’s energy and vibe and Tatayanna’s kind, genuine and relatable content. Plus, Tatayanna has become a great friend who gives great advice both online and offline.  

Mei Pang, @Meicrosoft (Toronto, Canada)

ORIGINATOR

Mei Pang is a first-gen Malaysian Canadian creator recognized for her collection of head-to-toe fully symmetrical tattoos. She has cemented her spot as a trendsetter in the beauty industry with countless mega-viral TikTok videos showcasing her unmatched ability to create inspired, avant-garde, yet accessible makeup looks. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

TikTok allowed me to experiment with a new format when I felt uninspired. I’ve been able to connect with my audience in a more authentic and transparent way ever since I shifted away from just photo content. For the Valentine’s kiss print, I had been thinking of ways to use household items in makeup looks. Lipstick prints are such a fun, recognizable holiday symbol, so I incorporated them into the look. After trying a few messy alternatives, I landed on this! This trend succeeded because you only needed three things: plastic wrap, lipstick, and a desire to try something new! I’m honored to be recognized alongside a community of amazing artists and proud that my work has empowered so many people to be bold in life.

Niana Guerrero, @nianaguerrero (Manila, Philippines)

ORIGINATOR

Niana Guerrero is a dance and lifestyle creator. The 16-year-old “girl next door” has been making an impact worldwide by going out of her comfort zone and boldly sharing her passion for music and laughter. With her incredible knack for dance and sense and humor, Niana continues to touch the hearts of many across the globe.  

How has TikTok changed your life?

I’ve been creating TikToks everyday, ever since my first video went viral. It helps me express myself creatively. For every dance trend I create, I make sure the songs that I use are catchy and relatable to people. When I choreograph, I always make sure that the steps are easy to follow and feel doable, so that anyone in the app can try it out. Also, thanks to TikTok, I’ve been able to meet so many new friends! I’m so grateful to be nominated. We out here representing the Philippines. Let’s go!

Poppy O'Toole, @poppycooks (Birmingham, United Kingdom)

ORIGINATOR

When Poppy O’Toole lost her job due to the pandemic, she turned to TikTok to showcase her cooking talent with the community through easy how-to recipes. Her love of potatoes resonated with the audience and resulted in amazing opportunities like launching her own recipe book, having a new role as a MasterChef Judge and being recognized as the “High Priestess of Potatoes” by the iconic Nigella Lawson. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

I started creating TikTok content when I was unemployed and left with nothing to do when kitchens were closed across the U.K. It gave me a distraction, but it also introduced me to so many opportunities I never thought possible. Without the platform, I wouldn’t be where I am now, with 3 million followers across platforms, starring in TV shows and having my own recipe book. TikTok has quite literally made my dreams come true. Every day I am impressed by the wide variety of talent on TikTok, so being recognized as an Originator on the Discover List alongside an incredible roster of creators is truly an honor. I coined #PotatoTikTok, which now has more than 643 million views, and posted the viral ’15 Hour Potato’ video, which has been recreated worldwide. Also, during the middle of the 25-day lockdown, I created a “Welcome to Potato TikTok” video, which increased my follower base from 200k to over a million overnight.

What’s something new you’ve discovered on TikTok? 

I’d been a chef for a decade before starting TikTok, but it wasn’t until I started posting that I realized how much I loved to teach people. TikTok has completely changed my career path, from someone behind the scenes cooking for others, to teaching millions how to cook… and it’s the best job ever. 

Prettyaxme, @prettyaxme (Texas, USA)

ORIGINATOR

Prettyaxme is a talented creator who enjoys making jokes and entertaining people around the world. She is the voice behind several iconic sounds on the platform, including the viral sound “That’ll do it, you don’t have to worry about me, you do not have to worry about me…,” inspiring over 150,000 video creations. 

How has TikTok changed your life?

It is an honor to contribute to TikTok culture in a positive way. The ‘That’ll Do It’ sound originated naturally. I just started recording and was having fun while filming. TikTok has allowed me to meet so many new people and get out of my comfort zone.