Ukrainian Cat Stepan Gets A World's Top Influencers Award in Cannes

Ukrainian cat Stepan, a social media star and a pet influencer who was forced to leave his home in Kharkiv, has been awarded a World Influencers and Bloggers Award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

On Thursday, Stepan the Cat, who achieved viral popularity on TikTok last year with his video in which he vibes next to drinks and food, donned a bow tie in colors of the Ukrainian flag to receive his award.

During the ceremony at the Martinez hotel in Cannes, Stepan also met other influencers who came to collect their awards, including Nikkie Tutorials, Alec Monopoly, Madalina Ghenea and Khaby Lame, the TikTok star with the second-largest following on the platform. Lame and Stepan also made a few memorable photographs together at the ceremony, which were widely shared online.

@annaolala @Khabane lame ♬ original sound – Zelensky🇺🇦

In March 2022, Stepan and his owner Anna fled the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv after the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolded, with the two escaping to France.

Stepan's owner shared photos and videos from the ceremony on TikTok and Instagram, as well as an obligatory photograph of Stepan chilling next to his award.

Congratulations, Stepan!