David Ma, a film director from Brooklyn, couldn’t afford to attend film school and was struggling to get a break in Hollywood. But after joining TikTok in 2020, he gained a following for his unique style, which quickly caught the attention of Hollywood executives. He was offered directing jobs and his career changed dramatically. TikTok has evolved from a social media platform supporting content creators and small businesses to an entertainment powerhouse, challenging Hollywood’s power structures and changing the rules of the entertainment industry. A ban on the app now could have devastating consequences on the livelihoods of TikTok’s stars and small businesses, as well as the wider entertainment industry. TikTok has become the most democratic content platform, allowing individuals who have been shut out of the media and entertainment industry to gain access to it. This is consistent with a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post, which found that TikTok’s audience is young, non-white, and lower income, with no college degrees. Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok is an entertainment platform that delivers fresh content to its users. The platform has become a significant part of launching new movies, with movies like “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and “Cocaine Bear” achieving box office success with the help of TikTok. TikTok has also become an advertising platform, with a new advertising format called Showtimes, specifically tailored to the needs of the entertainment industry.