Table of Contents
How Did TikTok Even Become TikTok?
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, TikTok was establishing itself. But by 2020, as the pandemic hit, the app took off in popularity. Now, it’s at the forefront of the social media universe, where careers are launched, trends are born, and attention spans are… well, let’s be honest, practically non-existent.
From viral trends that we attempt (and usually fail) to nail, to foolish humor we never knew we were missing, TikTok became the digital playground for an entire generation. It’s been a goldmine for brands, creators, and yes, even those accounts that post the random videos, somehow making their way to the top of the app’s most liked.
But success has come with its challenges. Now, with a potential ban in the U.S. approaching in less than one week, content creators are questioning: What happens when the platform they’ve built their careers on suddenly is just…gone?
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Why Was TikTok Taken Down for Review?
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, and concerns over national security and data privacy have been ongoing for years. U.S. officials fear that ByteDance could potentially share user data with the Chinese government, jeopardizing personal information. These fears created the app’s recent temporary takedown for review—a decision that underscored the tension between TikTok and the U.S. government.
Despite TikTok’s consistent denials of allegations of data misuse, the U.S. government’s actions have made one thing clear: the future of TikTok in the country is uncertain. For now, it’s business as usual, but users and creators alike are wondering what could come next.
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Creators in Crisis Mode: What Happens If TikTok Is Gone?
The nightmare many TikTok creators are facing is the fear of losing their careers. Creators like Alix Earle, Matt Rife, Bella Poarch, and of course, Charli D’Amelio, who’ve risen to fame with their relatable and engaging content, are already working on moving their empires to different platforms. Whether it’s expanding into Instagram Reels, YouTube, or launching businesses, creators aren’t biding time for TikTok to possibly be banned.
Alix Earle, a huge Gen Z influencer known for her authenticity and lifestyle content, has turned her TikTok success into a full-fledged career path. This one platform has helped her secure brand partnerships and even launch a podcast, ‘Hot Mess with Alix Earle’. Bella Poarch, another rising content creator, has built a huge following through a viral video of herself lip-syncing to a trending song. Poarch now has a record deal with Warner.
TikTok has been the launchpad, but it’s not where these creators intend to stay for the rest of their careers. They understand the importance of adapting, which is why many are starting their reach across more platforms.
As the U.S. government continues with scrutiny, these creators are shifting their plans to safeguard their employment. But the real challenge lies with emerging influencers. Take Rylie Surage, for instance—she recently started building her clothing brand, Jan Dhoe, through TikTok. Now, she must find new ways to share her content and expand her audience. Creators are gearing up for their next steps with cross-platform strategies…and maybe a few stress tears. The reality is that many of these influencers have built their dream careers on TikTok, and the thought of losing it could be a huge blow to their careers. However, they’re not sitting around waiting for things to spiral—they’re already adapting, exploring other ways to monetize their influence, and finding new platforms to conquer.
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What About The Music?
TikTok didn’t just bring fame to influencers—it turned songs into worldwide hits. It’s not just about creators and viral dances; the platform has reshaped entire industries. For instance, ‘Ratatouille: The Musical’ started as a collaborative trend on the app and later evolved into a full-fledged production. Take Tyla, the artist behind ‘Water’, a song that created one of the app’s latest viral dances. And going back to Lil Nas X, singer of ‘Old Town Road’, which became a viral hit on the app and soon after led to charting on the Billboard Hot 100. TikTok’s algorithm has been a mastermind for artists, elevating them to viral status overnight. The app’s ability to pair creative content with music has reshaped the music industry in ways that were once unimaginable. With TikTok’s ability to uncover our next favorite song or next viral dance challenge, it’ll be interesting to see what takes its place if the application does go down.
Musicians like Gracie Abrams owe much of their career success to TikTok’s viral nature. The app propelled ‘I love you, I’m sorry’ to worldwide fame, turning the 25-year-old artist’s track into a cultural sensation. And it’s not just the artists—producers, songwriters, and even smaller, independent artists have seen their tracks gain exceptional exposure thanks to TikTok’s algorithm.
While platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts may try to step into the void, the creative combination of individualism and music that TikTok fostered could be hard to replicate.
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Is TikTok’s Return Temporary?
Can we really start to cheer up just yet? Yes, the platform is back online after its temporary review, which is a relief for now…but creators and users are left wondering: For how long?
In the meantime, creators have already begun their journeys on other platforms, with YouTube surprisingly emerging as a key focus. Are we entering our 2016 Alicia Marie era again?
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Ready for Renovation
TikTok creators are already preparing their next moves. From experimenting with other platforms and launching personal brands, they’re taking control of their future. Now, more than ever, influencers are encouraging their followers to connect with them on other platforms where they will continue sharing their content. “As Avery Kroll, a TikTok influencer, stated in a recent post, ‘If TikTok disappears and we can’t use the app anymore, which I’m praying doesn’t happen, please follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. I’ll do whatever I can to keep posting on other platforms.’” Platforms rise and fall in popularity, and TikTok’s potential loss serves as another reminder of how unpredictable the digital world can be. But creators who relied on the app are already expanding their portfolios.
Whether it’s by collaborating with brands, starting YouTube channels, or creating new forms of content, these creators are learning how to adapt before the app vanishes. They’re essentially guiding their followers to other platforms where they can continue sharing content and maintaining audience engagement. Who knows? Maybe this turnaround is exactly what the world of social media needs. If TikTok disappears, it could spark a new wave of creation in digital media. Influencers may explore other outlets, push the boundaries of digital entertainment, and even generate new platforms.
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Don’t Panic: The Future of TikTok Creators Is Brighter Than You Think
And in the end of it all, one thing’s for sure: creators are resilient. Whether it’s starting the next big platform, revamping their strategies, or just finding new ways to entertain, they’re going to make waves in digital entertainment.
Creators who once relied on TikTok to launch their careers are continuing to entertain and adapt. If TikTok fades into the past, the next chapter of digital content will undoubtedly be bigger and better. So, no need to worry, mindless scrollers—whether the app is taken down or not, you’ll still have access to your favorite content creators through other platforms. And if you’re on the other end of it, struggling to adapt and grow your profile, just keep spreading the word, create new content on different platforms, and ultimately keep posting for your viewers.
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More Exciting News:
Alix Earle will continue to collaborate with big-name brands for upcoming projects in the works, including her podcast‘Hot Mess with Alix Earle’.
Gracie Abrams is reportedly working on a new album in collaboration with Aaron Dessner of The National, with expectations for the album’s release in late 2025.
Tyla will be featured at the Red Carpet Experience at Sunbet Arena, hosted by Moozile and Kat Sinivasan.
** As of April 7th, 2025, TikTok is running and working smoothly.
By Emma Gladstone
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
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Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
Emma Gladstone is an entertainment journalist dedicated to offering a fresh perspective in today’s media landscape. As a content writer for The Hollywood Insider, her goal is to serve as a break from negativity by focusing on positive, human-centered angles that uplift and inspire. Writing reviews and feature stories for The Hollywood Insider, Emma celebrates the transformative and authentic power of reporting, to promote meaningful change and substance in media. Her passion for global entertainment fuels her writing, creating stories that educate, empower, and resonate deeply with readers. Emma is truly thrilled to be writing for The Hollywood Insider, as their values align closely with hers.
