20 celebrities who became legitimately famous from TikTok

Charli D’Amelio is still one of the most followed people on TikTok, with over 150 million followers and counting. The star, who became famous for her dancing videos, is still active on social media, but she’s added reality TV, modeling, and more to the mix. 

Charli D’Amelio wasn’t the only person in her family to use TikTok as a jumping-off point for a career. Her sister, Dixie D’Amelio, did the same. Though her following isn’t quite as big as Charli’s, it’s still massive, and it’s been helpful in her music and business ventures. 

Back when TikTok was known mostly for hosting videos of teenagers dancing, Addison Rae was one of the most popular creators on the app. The TikTok star is still popular, but now she spends her free time starring in movies, attending the Met Gala, and hanging out with the Kardashians. 

Bella Poarch is another one of the most followed people on TikTok, rising to fame through a viral video of herself lip-syncing. Now Poarch is a legitimate musician who has a record deal with Warner. 

Alix Earle is proof that just being yourself on the internet can take you places you never imagined. The TikTok star blew up after sharing “Get Ready With Me” videos where she was candid about her struggles with acne, and now she’s a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. 

Xandra Pohl rose to fame through TikTok by posting videos of her life and getting ready for the day. Now, Pohl is a professional DJ opening for some of the biggest names in the industry, and she’s a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. 

Kat Stickler’s TikTok journey began with her ex-husband as the two posted videos about their relationship. After divorcing, Stickler continued posting and became bigger than she ever was while she was married.

Khaby Lame has more followers on TikTok than anyone else. The star creator went viral for his videos pointing out how ridiculous certain “hacks” are. Fast-forward a few years, and Lame has millions of dollars and is known around the world.  

Mikayla Nogueira is one of the biggest beauty creators on the internet. She started her TikTok journey during the pandemic, and now she’s collaborated with some of the biggest makeup brands on the planet, and she got Kim Kardashian’s glam team to help her get ready for her wedding. 

Zach King was one of the most popular creators on Vine before the platform was discontinued. He later transitioned to TikTok, which did wonders for his career. Now, he’s one of the most popular creators on the app. 

Nara Smith had a small platform prior to TikTok, thanks to her modeling career that began when she was a teenager. But her career blew up thanks to the video-sharing app, and now she’s known by millions for her tradwife content. 

Spencer X is a cross-platform content creator who’s delighted millions with his beatboxing abilities. The musician is so successful that Forbes has featured him as a top creator. 

Noah Beck had a bit of a following prior to his social media success, thanks to his career as a professional soccer player, but after posting on TikTok, he became a bona fide star. Now, Beck is better known for his work on social media and his modeling career. 

As a teenager, Bryce Hall worked on a few different social media platforms, but when he joined TikTok and later the Sway House, his following became massive. Since becoming too popular on TikTok, Hall has ventured into amateur boxing and acting. 

Josh Richards has millions of followers across all social media platforms, with TikTok being his biggest. The Canadian creator is still best known for his TikTok work, but he’s also famous for hosting the BFFs podcast with Dave Portnoy and Brianna LaPaglia.   

Huddy is a major TikTok creator who parlayed his success into a music career. The musician is best known for his pop-punk offerings, and he has nearly half a million monthly listeners on Spotify. 

There’s a reason popular musicians of today recommend those looking to break into the industry do so by posting on TikTok. Nessa Barrett got her start on the platform by posting videos of her talent, and it led to a record deal. 

Before blowing up on TikTok, Matt Rife was just another comedian trying to get his big break. Rife had done some acting work prior to joining the app, but after going viral, his career ballooned, leading to his own Netflix special. 

Christina Najjar, better known as Tinx, went viral on TikTok thanks to her videos explaining how to look and act like a rich mom. Tinx is now a best-selling author and the host of her own SiriusXM show. 

Michael Le has followers across platforms, but his work on TikTok made him particularly popular. In 2023, the social media influencer became impactful enough to be featured in Forbes.