The First TikTok Millionaires: Where Are They Now?

They were the faces of a new era teenagers with iPhones and ring lights, dancing in bedrooms and lip-syncing to viral audio. While most of the world was still downloading TikTok, they were already racking up brand deals, media features, and seven-figure incomes.

But that was years ago.

Now, in 2025, the algorithm has changed. New stars are born daily. Audiences shift faster than trends. So the question is:

Where are TikTok’s original millionaires now and what can we learn from their trajectory?

Let’s rewind, fast-forward, and decode the evolution of the first class of TikTok millionaires.

🎬 Charli D’Amelio: From Teen Dancer to Business Empire

• Then (2019–2020):
  Charli was the first mainstream face of TikTok, her viral dances and girl-next-door vibe made her the most-followed creator in record time.

• Breakout Moment:
  “Renegade” dance, late 2019 → $1M brand deals by 2020

• Now (2025):

  • Net worth: Estimated $30M+

  • Founder of D’Amelio Brands (fashion, skincare)

  • Former Hulu reality star

  • Pulled back from daily content creation

  • Investing in startups and producing behind the scenes

✅ Lesson: She shifted from content creation to ownership. And that’s why she’s still relevant.

🕺 Addison Rae: The Celebrity Crossover Prototype

• Then:
  Known for dance content and flirtatious charisma, Addison became TikTok’s first “Hollywood-friendly” breakout.

• Breakout Moment:
  Hype House → Late-night shows → Netflix film “He’s All That”

• Now:

  • Released music and cosmetics lines

  • Slowed down TikTok use

  • Focused on acting career and licensing deals

  • Rebuilt her brand after oversaturation backlash

✅ Lesson: Speed to fame doesn’t guarantee longevity—unless you evolve your image with maturity.

😐 Khaby Lame: The Silent Genius Who Went Global

• Then:
  He never said a word. His reactions to overly complicated “life hacks” made him a global sensation.

• Breakout Moment:
  Viral silent duets mid-pandemic → 100M+ followers with no dialogue

• Now:

  • Still the most-followed TikToker globally

  • Endorsements with Hugo Boss, Binance, and more

  • Diversified into NFTs, books, and global philanthropy

  • Quietly building an empire in Senegal and Italy

✅ Lesson: Simplicity scales. And global creators win when they stay true to their format.

🔥 Bella Poarch: From Navy Veteran to Viral Icon

• Then:
  Bella exploded with one of the most-watched TikToks ever—a lip-sync with head bobs and anime energy.

• Breakout Moment:
  “M to the B” → 90M+ views in days

• Now:

  • Signed to Warner Records

  • Released original music (hit: “Build a B*tch”)

  • Dealing with fame fatigue and mental health focus

  • Posting less frequently, more intentionally

✅ Lesson: Virality is fragile—only those who connect emotionally will last.

👑 Dixie D’Amelio, Zach King, and the Rest of the Class

• Dixie: Launched music career, faced major backlash, reinventing slowly

• Zach King: Transitioned from magic vines to visual storytelling ads—now builds branded content for top companies

• Brent Rivera, Avani, Josh Richards: Diversified into tech, media, and e-commerce, with mixed success

✅ Lesson: The creators who stayed in one lane burned out. The ones who built ecosystems are still in the game.

🔁 What Changed and Why It Matters in 2025

• TikTok is now more niche and verticalized

• Fame is shorter-lived but more accessible

• Followers don’t guarantee reach retention does

• Owning your brand is more powerful than ever

💭 Final Thought: From Viral to Valuable

The first TikTok millionaires taught us something crucial:

Virality fades. Value compounds.

They made their millions by being first. They kept them by being smart.

In 2025, you don’t need to go viral like Charli or be silent like Khaby, but you do need to show up like someone who belongs in their league.

And that begins with how you look.

At Avramify, we help you look the part on TikTok.
Not by chasing trends but by elevating your aesthetic so your presence earns attention before you even speak.

Because in the scroll economy, the first impression is the currency.