TikTok is creating a whole new generation of internet sensations grabbing the spotlight. Many rising faces from this social platform are trying to break into showbiz, raising concerns about the entertainment industry’s quality. TikTok is a virtual space, but showbiz is a real world that demands talent and genuine value.
The Era of TikTokers
TikTokers are flooding TV shows and red carpet events, especially movie premieres and MV launches. At red carpet events, it’s common to see popular TikTokers dancing and screaming loudly. Even prestigious fashion shows reserve front-row seats for TikTokers who often lack fashion expertise or any real involvement in showbiz. On many TV shows, TikTokers appear frequently and earn fees comparable to top entertainment stars. This has been the reality in Vietnam’s entertainment world for the past few years.
During the final night of Miss Fitness Vietnam, Lê Bống (real name Lê Xuân Anh) was one of the most talked-about names. Partly because she’s a famous TikToker, and partly because she had been involved in controversies over her behavior yet still competed in a beauty pageant. She ended up winning the Miss Charity title and made it to the Top 10. After the finale, her name trended heavily online, sparking heated debates. Many viewers believed her success was thanks to her TikTok popularity.
Similarly, Trần Thanh Tâm, who rose to fame with the catchy line “Eggs need oil, corn needs butter,” surprised many when she decided to compete in Miss Fitness Vietnam. Many doubted her looks and physique suited a beauty contest, especially considering her personal controversies.
After stepping one foot into showbiz, she even became an MC on VTV8 without formal training. Recently, the “egg girl” announced she would join an international beauty pageant that few people seem to care about. Controversial as it is, Thanh Tâm has definitely planted both feet firmly in showbiz.
Another example is Phạm Thoại, a TikToker often criticized for flashy outfits and offensive, ignorant remarks online. Ironically, this behavior helped him appear repeatedly on red carpets and score front-row invites at major fashion shows, while many serious artists with years of experience were overlooked.
Most recently, Hoàng Kim Chi’s appearance at Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 further shows how much TikTokers are pushing into the entertainment world.
Is It Too Easy to Become a “Star”?
Because of their follower counts, many entertainment events invite controversial TikTokers to red carpets or give them prestigious seats meant for credible, skilled figures. The public often reacts strongly when someone famous for offensive speech or inappropriate outfits sits front row at International Fashion Week, or when a TikToker with a history of clickbait controversies wins a “charity” award at a beauty pageant.
This shows a reversal of values. Chasing TikTok likes has become a trend and a goal for producers and event organizers. It’s a clear sign of showbiz chaos and the cheapening of the word “star.”
There’s no denying TikTok’s influence. But alongside creators who deliver educational and valuable content, many TikTokers gain power through tasteless, pointless, even ridiculous clickbait tricks. With millions of followers, they become influential figures with fame and power. This advantage helps them break into showbiz, a field that always attracts attention. The public is tired and worried that these TikTokers, famous for non-artistic reasons, will make an already messy entertainment industry even more chaotic.
On online forums discussing this trend, many viewers believe TikTokers who blew up from a few videos should reassess their talents and avoid getting carried away with illusions. It’s fine to aspire to succeed in a new field or become an artist, but they need to prove their artistic skills, not “show off” their social media follower count as power.
