50 Rising TikTok Stars You Need to Follow!

A grandmother of eight, a wig maker, a doctor and a street food chef are among the influencers has named as the ones to watch in 2026.

Revealing its annual Discover List, the social media giant has curated a showcase of 50 rising stars across five categories – Educators, Foodies, Icons, Innovators and Originators.

Between them, the up-and-coming creators have amassed hundreds of millions of followers and hail from every corner of the globe.

But six stand-out Brits have made the cut – flying the flag for Blighty and charging the way for a new wave of homegrown digital talent ready to dominate your For You Page in 2026.

From castle-hopping cultural commentators to wig-making entrepreneurs and film buffs rubbing shoulders with Hollywood royalty, here are the UK names TikTok thinks we’ll all be talking about this time next year.

Jacklynn Botwe (@byjacklynn) – London, England

212,000 followers

South London creator Jacklynn Botwe has carved out a thoughtful niche with socially aware educational content that blends cultural commentary with lived experience.

Her videos explore identity, social trends and everyday observations, all delivered with a calm authority that feels more big sister than lecturer. Rather than fueling online spats, she encourages discussion – a refreshing shift in the algorithm age.

Recent posts have seen her exploring castle ruins, offering travel advice for Japan and even giving followers a tour of the prison cells inside the Tower of London – mixing history, travel and culture with ease.

Olly Bowman (@mrmelk_) – London, England 

883,000 followers

If dry British humour is your thing, Olly Bowman is already on your radar.

The London-based creator has built a following of nearly 900,000 with understated skits, reaction videos and painfully relatable lifestyle moments. His delivery relies on timing rather than flashy production – and that’s precisely his charm.

From styling questionable outfits to heading to Manchester to try viral pastries, Olly’s content feels like a FaceTime call with your funniest mate. He’s even tried his hand at teaching followers ‘how to flirt’ – with predictably awkward (and hilarious) results.

Thomas Duke (@steppingthroughfilm) – London, England

481,000 followers  

For film lovers, Thomas Duke is already a familiar face.

The London-based creator has made a name for himself exploring real-life filming locations and sharing behind-the-scenes trivia that adds new depth to beloved movies.

Blending travel, cinema and history, his snappy videos tap into TikTok’s appetite for niche expertise delivered in digestible bursts.

And he’s not just walking in the footsteps of famous characters – he’s now interviewing major stars himself, recently speaking to Margot Robbie, Claire Foy and Olivia Colman as he expands into celebrity sit-downs.

Asked about his thoughts on being featured on the list, Thomas said:  'As a lover of all things creative, it's a true pleasure to be nominated on this list. 

'It's been a surreal journey sharing my love for film online, and a journey I never thought would get me here...The magic of film inspires me every single day. 

'It has allowed me to reach audiences all over the world in such a beautiful, personal way.

'It's given me a voice that would possibly never have reached who it has if I hadn’t started posting videos.'

Dominique Bogle (@hairanatomyuk) – Birmingham, England

64,000 followers

Birmingham-based Dominique Bogle is proving that TikTok isn’t just about trends – it’s about trade.

Through her platform, she shares haircare education, styling demonstrations and insights into building her wig and hair brand. Ingredient breakdowns and practical advice sit alongside product showcases, merging professional know-how with savvy entrepreneurship.

Her recent content includes wig styling tutorials and tips on maintaining them properly – content that’s as practical as it is polished.

Ning Cheah (@thebeautycrop) – London, England

236,000 followers

Entrepreneur Ning Cheah has turned TikTok into a front-row seat for building a beauty brand.

Based in London, she uses the platform to spotlight product launches, share tutorials and take followers behind the scenes of brand development.

Transparency is central to her approach, with regular updates on formulation, packaging and community feedback. Rather than glossy mystery, she invites her audience into the process.

Jane Hastings (@toystoystoys.uk) – Liverpool, England

40,000 followers

Proving that influence has no age limit, Liverpool-based mother of two Jane Hastings runs a toy-focused business account that blends retail with pure joy.

Her videos showcase interactive toys, demonstrations and heartwarming customer reactions, alll delivered with infectious enthusiasm.

It’s wholesome, playful and quietly savvy, tapping directly into TikTok’s commerce-forward features without losing personality.

And with nostalgia and family-friendly content booming online, Jane may well be one of the platform’s most unexpected breakout stars.

Jane said on her nomination: 'I’m over the moon to be nominated. 

'It makes me very emotional. TikTok has changed my life unbelievably, and many others through my account. 

'Selling on TikTok Shop has completely transformed my business, and it's helped me keep my much-loved shop doors open on my local high street. 

'It’s fast, it’s fun, and most importantly, I have a chance to connect directly with the people who love my products.'

Beyond the six standout Brits, TikTok’s remaining 44 picks read like a whistle-stop tour of the internet’s most fascinating corners.

In Educators, there’s Dr. Olawale Ogunlana in Lagos, calmly myth-busting medical misinformation in seconds, and New York psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph tackling burnout and high-functioning depression for a generation glued to their screens. 

Over in Tokyo, Kengo Kamijyo is flying the flag for BookTok with thoughtful literary deep-dives, while Michigan’s Charlie Engelman makes 'odd animal specimens' strangely addictive viewing.

The Foodies category is equally global. From Rashad Jones smoking slabs of barbecue in Florida to Wayne Chang plating up bold, cross-cultural dishes in Cape Town, it’s a feast of flavour. 

Paris-based Nabil Zemmouri brings polished pastry content, while Dubai’s Ramy Soli leans into luxury dining and viral Middle Eastern twists. 

And in Brazil, Alene Godoy fuses plant-based cooking with Afro-Brazilian heritage and sustainability.

Among the Icons, Drew Talbert continues to build his viral 'Bistro Huddy' comedy universe in California, while Golloria George in Texas blends beauty with candid industry commentary. 

Milan’s Matto Varini serves high-fashion aesthetics straight from Italy’s style capital, and Saudi creator Yasmeen Alshafai offers a window into contemporary Riyadh youth culture.

The Innovators and Originators categories spotlight creators turning TikTok into a business engine. 

From Toronto’s Miss Darcei pushing beauty inclusivity, to Germany’s Marvin Roch bringing documentary-style journalism to short-form video, and Connecticut grandmother Babs Costello redefining later-in-life influence with homemaking wisdom, it’s clear the platform’s future is multi-generational and multi-skilled.

Throw in automotive enthusiasts, calligraphy artists, tech experimenters and founder-led beauty brands, and one thing’s certain: TikTok’s class of 2026 isn’t just chasing trends, they’re clearly shaping what the internet looks like next.