Charli D’Amelio: Rise to Fame and Influence as TikTok’s Biggest Star

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Charli D’Amelio is a name synonymous with the rise of TikTok. Born on May 1, 2004, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Charli has transformed from a competitive dancer into one of the most influential social media personalities of our time. Her journey is a testament to the power of authenticity and hard work in the digital age.

Early Life and Dancing Background

Charli’s passion for dance began at a very young age. She started dancing when she was just three years old and spent over ten years honing her skills in various dance styles. This dedication to dance not only provided her with a solid foundation for her future TikTok videos but also instilled in her a strong work ethic and discipline. Charli’s early years were spent in dance studios, participating in competitions, and perfecting her craft. She attended the private King School in Stamford, Connecticut, before switching to virtual schooling to manage her burgeoning TikTok career.

TikTok Stardom

In May 2019, Charli posted her first video on TikTok, a lip-syncing clip alongside a friend. Little did she know, this would be the start of a life-changing journey. Her breakthrough came with a “duet” video in July 2019, where she danced side-by-side with another user. This video quickly gained traction, propelling her into the spotlight.

Charli’s content is primarily dance videos set to popular songs, which resonate with millions of viewers worldwide. Her style is engaging and relatable, which has helped her amass a massive following. By March 2020, Charli had become the most-followed creator on TikTok, a title she held until June 2022 when Khaby Lame surpassed her. Despite this, Charli remains one of the top TikTok personalities with over 151 million followers as of 2024.

One of her notable moments on TikTok was popularizing the “Renegade” dance, originally created by Jalaiah Harmon. Initially, Charli faced backlash for not crediting Harmon, but she quickly corrected this and began regularly crediting dance creators in her videos.

Expanding Her Horizons

Charli’s influence extends far beyond TikTok. She made her feature film debut in the 2020 animated movie StarDog and TurboCat, providing a voice role. Additionally, she stars in the Hulu reality series The D’Amelio Show, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at her family life. She also co-led the Snap Original reality show Charli vs. Dixie with her sister, Dixie D’Amelio. This show, which aired from 2021 to 2022, featured the sisters competing in various challenges for charity.

In 2022, Charli showcased her dance prowess on a larger stage by winning the thirty-first season of Dancing with the Stars alongside professional dancer Mark Ballas. This victory solidified her status as a versatile entertainer.

Ventures and Achievements

Charli has diversified her career through various business ventures. She has launched a makeup line, a clothing line, and even collaborated on a mattress design. Her entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there; she has also authored two books, hosts a podcast, and partnered with major brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, which created a special drink called “The Charli” in her honor.

Her achievements have earned her numerous awards and recognition. She was the first person to surpass both 50 million and 100 million followers on TikTok. In 2019, she was the highest-earning female personality on TikTok, and in 2022, Forbes named her the highest-earning personality on the app overall.Charli’s influence in fashion is also notable. She has collaborated with brands like Morphe Cosmetics, Hollister, and Prada. In October 2022, she released her debut single, “If You Ask Me To,” showcasing her talents beyond dance and social media.

Public Image and Reception

Charli D’Amelio is often described as TikTok’s biggest star. Her relatability and authenticity have been key factors in her popularity. Despite her massive success, she comes across as a “normal teenager,” which endears her to millions of fans. This image has been both a blessing and a challenge, as she navigates the pressures of fame at a young age.

Critics have noted the polarizing nature of her fame, with some social media users labeling her content as “basic” or “overhyped.” However, many others praise her for her genuine personality and dedication to her craft.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Charli has been open about her struggles with body image and an eating disorder. She has used her platform to raise awareness about these issues and advocate for mental health. In an anti-bullying campaign for UNICEF, she shared her experiences with body shaming, highlighting the impact of online negativity on young people.

She has also shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement and participated in various charitable activities. In April 2020, she donated $50,000 to Norwalk Hospital to help secure critical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she partnered with TikTok to donate $100,000 to the American Dance Movement as part of Giving Tuesday.

Relationships

Charli’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. She was in a relationship with social media influencer Cole Chase Hudson from December 2019 to April 2020. More recently, she dated Landon Barker, the son of Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, from July 2022 to February 2024.

Filmography

YearTitleNotesRef
2020KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town HallTelevision special[155]
2020The Disney Family SingalongTelevision special[156]
2020Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020Television special[157]
2020Here for It with Avani GreggEpisode: “Have You Ever Been a Bully?”[49]
2021Earth Day! The MusicalWeb special[147]
2021Celebrity Family FeudContestant; episode: “JoJo Siwa vs. Charli and Dixie D’Amelio and Ross Mathews vs. Loni Love”[148]
2021–presentThe D’Amelio ShowMain role; streaming docuseries[60]
2021–2022Charli Vs. DixieCo-lead; web reality series[68]
2022Hype HouseGuest appearance; episode: “Love and Social Media”[149]
2022Step Into…The Movies With Derek and Julianne HoughTelevision special[73]
2022The SimpsonsVoice role; episode: “Meat Is Murder” (season 33)[77]
2022Dancing with the StarsWinner; season 31[150]
2023Is It Cake?Guest judge; episode: “So Fresh and So Cake”[151]

Music Videos

YearTitleArtist(s)Ref
2020“Baby, I’m Jealous”Bebe Rexha featuring Doja Cat[44]
2020“Pa’ Ti + Lonely”Jennifer Lopez and Maluma[152]
2022“If You Ask Me To”Herself[153]

Discography

Singles

TitleYearPeak Chart Positions
  US Adult
“If You Ask Me To”202233

.

Awards and Nominations

OrganizationYearCategoryNominated WorkResultRef
People’s Choice Awards2020The Social Star of 2020HerselfNominated[155]
 2021The Social Star of 2021 Nominated[156]
 2022The Competition Contestant of 2022 Nominated 
  The Social Star of 2022 Nominated 
Streamy Awards2020Breakout CreatorHerselfWon[157][158]
  Creator of the Year Nominated 
  Social Good Campaign#DistanceDanceNominated 
 2021Creator of   

 

PublicationYearWorld RecordRecord HolderR. StatusRef
Guinness World Records2021Most followers on TikTokCharli D’AmelioRecord[43][165]
 2021First person to reach 50 million followers on TikTokCharli D’AmelioRecord[43][165]
 2021First person to reach 100 million followers on TikTokCharli D’AmelioRecord[43][165]

FAQ

Q: Who is Charli D’Amelio?
A: Charli D’Amelio is a social media personality and dancer who gained fame on TikTok. She is known for her dance videos and has amassed a large following on the platform.

Q: What are some notable achievements of Charli D’Amelio?
A: Charli D’Amelio holds several Guinness World Records, including being the first person to reach 50 million and 100 million followers on TikTok. She has also won numerous awards, including Streamy Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards.

Q: Has Charli D’Amelio appeared in any films or TV shows?A: Yes, Charli D’Amelio has appeared in the film “StarDog and TurboCat” as the voice of Tinker. She has also appeared in various TV specials and series such as “#KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall,” “The Disney Family Singalong,” and “The D’Amelio Show.”

Q: What music videos has Charli D’Amelio been featured in?
A: Charli D’Amelio has been featured in music videos like “Baby, I’m Jealous” by Bebe Rexha featuring Doja Cat and “Pa’ Ti + Lonely” by Jennifer Lopez and Maluma. She also released her own song “If You Ask Me To” in 2022.

Q: What awards has Charli D’Amelio won?
A: Charli D’Amelio has won several awards, including the Streamy Award for Breakout Creator and the Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Female Social Star and Favorite Female Creator. She has also been nominated for many other awards.

Q: What are some of Charli D’Amelio’s notable records?
A: Charli D’Amelio holds Guinness World Records for most followers on TikTok and being the first person to reach both 50 million and 100 million followers on the platform.

Q: What is “The D’Amelio Show”?
A: “The D’Amelio Show” is a streaming docuseries that features Charli D’Amelio and her family, providing an inside look at their lives and the challenges of navigating fame.

Q: Has Charli D’Amelio participated in any reality TV competitions?
A: Yes, Charli D’Amelio participated in “Dancing with the Stars” and won the competition in season 31.

Q: What are some of Charli D’Amelio’s web special appearances?
A: Charli D’Amelio has appeared in web specials like “Earth Day! The Musical” and “Charli Vs. Dixie,” a web reality series co-starring her sister Dixie D’Amelio.

Q: Where can I find Charli D’Amelio’s official content?
A: Charli D’Amelio’s content can be found on her official TikTok and Instagram accounts, as well as on YouTube and other social media platforms. She also appears in various TV shows, web specials, and music videos.

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