World’s most followed TikToker, Khaby Lame leaves the US after detention for overstayed visa

Khaby Lame, the world’s most followed TikToker, has left the U.S. after being detained by immigration agents in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa. According to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson, reported by Euronews, Khaby Lame arrived in the U.S. on April 30 and has overstayed the terms of his visa. 

The Senegalese-Italian influencer, with the legal name Seringe Khabane Lame, was detained on Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to leave the United States without a deportation order. 

His detainment and voluntary departure allowed him to avoid a deportation order on the country’s immigration record. A deportation would have prevented him from being allowed back into the U.S. for up to a decade.

Khaby Lame has yet to issue any formal statement following his departure from the U.S. Meanwhile, he reportedly posted an Instagram story tagged in São Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, marking his first confirmed location since leaving the U.S. 

Khaby Lame rose to international fame for his silent comedic reactions to overcomplicated “life hack” videos and has gathered over 160 million followers on TikTok. His online presence has granted him collaborations with global fashion brands, a reality show on Tubi titled ‘Khaby Is Coming To America’, and a role in a Hollywood film.

Also Read: Popular Kano TikToker Murja Kunya sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for alleged naira abuse.

The famous TikToker’s departure from the U.S. comes in light of President Donald Trump’s escalating crackdown on immigration.

Bo Loudon, a Gen Z Trump supporter and self-styled activist, expressed his delight at the development. “Every single illegal alien needs to be DEPORTED. When I found out the biggest TikTok star, Khaby Lame, is an illegal alien evading taxes, I worked with Trump’s ICE to have him removed. He’s since been detained by ICE and removed.” 

Meet Khaby Lame

Khaby Lame, 25, was born in Senegal. He moved to Italy as a young child and was raised in a poor area of the town of Chivasso, outside of Turin. 

When COVID-19 hit, he lost his job in a factory and was forced, like millions of Italians, to stay home. Lame took to social media to pass the time and quickly rose to international fame without ever saying a word in his videos. The videos show him reacting to absurdly complicated “life hacks.” Lane exhibits mimed and silent reactions to events he considers absurd, with the TikTok motto: “If u wanna laugh u r in the right place.”

His internet fame quickly evolved. He signed a multi-year partnership with designer brand Hugo Boss in 2022. The same year, he became an Italian citizen. In June 2022, he dethroned the American Charlie D’Amelio and his 142 million subscribers to become the platform’s most followed content creator. 

In that year, Khaby Lame was listed in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Forbes’ 30 Under 30. He was also awarded the Premio la Moda Veste la Pace, a recognition at the African Fashion Gate organisation awards every year at the European Parliament.

In February 2024, it was announced that Khaby Lame will make his film debut in the tentatively titled James Bond-style spy comedy, 00Khaby. The Senegalese-born Italian influencer was set to play a food deliveryman who gets recruited by the CIA to mislead their enemies.

“Acting has always been my dream, but I don’t want to improvise. This is why I am ready to delve deeper into my acting and English studies to perform at my best in this film,” he said.

In January, he was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Last month, he attended the Met Gala in New York City, days after arriving in the US.

Khaby Lame currently has 162 million followers.