Before finally downloading TikTok, I assumed that the moment I did, a bunch of teen girls would drop from the sky and tell me I was wearing the wrong bike shorts. After attending VidCon this summer, I knew the meme-centric video app was a big deal — maybe even bigger than YouTube itself. I told myself it was not for my millennial eyes, that I wouldn't actually find anything I liked on there, much less understood. I feared that by interacting with it, I'd feel like an outsider depending on a bunch of exasperated Gen-Zers to explain to me their inside jokes. The best thing I ever did for myself was get over that fear and dive in.
It all changed when I watched this "Mr. Sandman" video. The "Mr. Sandman" meme had been spreading on the platform using an in-app filter that lined up perfectly with the lyrics of the classic song. However, when that template was then used in conjunction with an apathetic orange cat, that was all I needed to hear. If TikTok was for that, then it was for me.
"On TikTok, you can be your most authentic and interesting self. Amongst the talented musicians and comedians, you can find orthodontists, plumbers, flight attendants and baristas all showing their daily lives in creative and inspiring videos," Kudzi Chikumbu, Head of Creator Partnerships at TikTok, told Refinery29 in a statement. "They proudly show who they are to the world in entertaining ways — that can mean being a body positive influencer, a representative for Black women in STEM, or a language teacher. No passion is too niche on TikTok because you will be celebrated for having fun being yourself."
But since the app is such a wealth of content, the hardest part is knowing where to start. While just scrolling through the "For You" feed delivers varied content from accounts big and small, we've curated a list of specific creators who best exemplify TikTok's diverse and curious spirit.
Ahead are all the best TikTok accounts you should be following on the app.
It took just a few months for this 15-year-old to work her way up to the most followed person on the app, with close to 50 million people hyping her up. She got her start dancing, and now is part of the much-gossipped-about Hype House.
Another Hype House member, 19-year-old Addison Rae has over 30 million followers on the app. She's similarly known for her dance moves, as well as her ever-growing group of internet-famous friends like David Dobrik.
There’s more than kombucha to the kombucha girl. She’s also charmed the internet with her impression of the contestants on U.K.’s Love Island and her laid back, comedic stunts.
Drea’s comedy videos are destined to take her right to late night, putting fun twists on viral TikTok trends, and even hosting her own TikTok Carpool Karaoke.
Loren previously held the title for most popular creator on the app, but is still going strong with with over 42 million fans, collabing with other TikTokkers and trying out pretty much every challenge. She is also a budding pop star.
When she’s not documenting life at school and her part time job, Jayus is constantly wowing her followers with fun facts — and not-so-fun facts, including her recent video about just how much money Bill Gates makes in comparison to...everyone else in the world.
These dancing sisters keep their followers coming back thanks to their inventive choreography that combines impressive moves with TikTok’s special effects.
U.K.-based TikTokker Riley’s account is low-key and personal, ranging from adventures with friends to discussions about mental health to examples of her art.
Zahra’s signature videos take place in her car where she usually updates followers on her life at school, but she also takes videos on campus with friends or out with her family.
You board your flight and realize you recognize the flight attendant from TikTok — what do you do? Hopefully, join her for one of her skits that give the honest truth about what it’s like being a full-time air stewardess.
Sarah’s TikTok videos about college life are not what you’d expect: She lives in a hotel with a roommate, and has the perfect sense of humor about it and everything else.
Haley is a professional mermaid, but if you suspend disbelief for a moment, you might just find yourself convinced you’re watching videos from a literal mythical creature.
On TikTok, makeup gurus can do way more than just tutorials. Emmy puts her own artistic spin on the app’s viral challenges, while also serving some legitimate inspo.
Courtney is basically those addicting Facebook craft videos personified, selling cute trinkets and using her arts and craft skills to make unique videos.
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