Last night, creators from Australia and beyond gathered in Sydney for the 2024 TikTok Awards, a night brimming with excitement and celebration of online successes. However, not all creators were cheering; many were left feeling excluded as they were not invited to the event. The awards, held at the Hordern Pavilion, aim to honour diverse talents and content creators, but some felt overlooked. Among those expressing disappointment was Ellie Peach, a nurse and TikTok star with over 130,000 followers. In a heartfelt video, she shared her frustration, stating, “Tonight I am going to the emergency department to work. I was not invited to the TikTok Awards.” Ellie noted that unlike last year, when she felt she was still growing her audience, she believed she had now earned a spot at the ceremony. She pointed out that a male colleague in the nursing field was invited, which added to her disappointment. Ellie aimed to represent women in nursing at such a significant event. Other healthcare influencers, including Dr Katie and Dr Michael, echoed her sentiments, with Dr Michael remarking on the importance of connections in receiving invitations. Media personality Abbie Chatfield responded to the situation, reassuring Ellie that missing the awards wasn’t a big loss. She described the atmosphere of such events as less glamorous than they appear, comparing it to attending a graduation ceremony at a different school. Chatfield validated the feelings of exclusion but encouraged Ellie not to dwell on it, highlighting the disparity between expectations and reality at such gatherings. As creators continue to voice their concerns, PEDESTRIAN.TV has reached out for comments from TikTok and the awards organisers, hoping for clarification on the selection process for attendees.
