SENSORY OVERLOAD

Everything you need to know about this year’s TikTok Awards: Wet hair looks, Leah Halton reposts and ofc, JoJo Siwa

I know I keep saying this, but Christmas just keeps on coming early. The sensory overload I’m currently undergoing is seriously enough to have me rocking in a corner until 2025. And make no mistake, the TikTok Awards was no exception.

It’s time to gather ye round, because last night, the Hordern Pavilion played host to what can only be described as influencer mecca. I just sense the prolifically online dying to twiddle their little thumbs. And let me tell you all, you’re in for a treat.

As an attendee of the event, I’m here to give you all the inside scoop as to what really went down. And brave with me, because there’s a hell of a lot to cover. From performances by JoJo Siwa and Shannon Noll, to Leah Halton reposting our TikTok, I suspect So Sydney! has entered a parallel universe that we might never traverse back from.

Ok, ready? Here’s the rundown.

The Award Show

Let me be so real for a second. In case you were copping some serious FOMO watching TikTok Live’s coverage of the event, please, don’t. The ceremony itself was nothing to write home about. In fact, I’m convinced I was teleported back to my year 11 end-of-year speech day. Except this time, the school Principal relied solely on Chat GPT (the premium version, of course).

Don’t get me wrong, I was incredibly grateful to nab a seat. I’d choose a nosebleed chair over a home movie on the couch any day of the week. But realistically, give me a free pizza and a single can of Smirnoff seltzer, and I’d happily park up just about anywhere for a decent few hours.

Highlights

First and foremost, JoJo Siwa. The woman that you are. I have no words. Literally, I was left quite speechless. Watching JoJo Siwa in full costume grind up on some poor dancer, all while I’m sat chowing on my capricciosa pizza, was certainly not on my bingo card for 2024. Unforgettable, no notes, 10/10.

We were also graced by the presence of Australian royalty, Shannon Noll. And while we missed a What About Me performance (sad), I did find amusement in his choice of footwear (scroll down for pics). I’d also be lying if I didn’t have my very own fan girl moment for Rob Irwin and Anna Paul.

The true highlight of the night, you ask? Hands down, without a doubt, the GlamBot. Yes, the same very one run by Cole Walliser for the Golden Globes. It may have taken an hour of waiting in line, but the results were 10/10 worth it. We even nabbed a BTS of Leah Halton, who owned that damn thing.

Fashion

Now to my favourite part. Last night’s fashion. As expected, a mixed bag and an assault on the senses. And while everyone was looking for their viral fashion moment, nobody can deny that once again, JoJo Siwa took the cake. The pop star stayed very much on brand in donning just about every single thing she could. There was colour, there was sparkles, there was weird dangly things, there was feathers. You name it, she wore it.

Best dressed’s go to Leah Halton, Anna Paul and Indy Clinton, who all affirmed that the wet hair look is officially back. No but seriously, I could list on one hand the number of people who attended who weren’t rocking either a slicked back look or having their own ‘just came from the beach’ moment. And to be honest, I’m all here for it.

As for everyone else, it appears that the red carpet glam dress code was interpreted in varying ways. The takeaway from the night was sparkles and colour. And no, I won’t be commenting on Tina Provis’ fit. Not after what happened last time.

Anyway, it’s time for thumb scrolling. Check below for all our piccies from the night.