Who is Khaby Lame? Know about the TikToker's net worth, marriage, dating life, why detained by US Immigration, and more
Know about Khaby Lame: The Senegalese-Italian social media sensation Khaby Lame, who gained international recognition during the pandemic for his silent but amusing reaction videos to too-difficult life hacks, has become a household name. His emotive, wordless comedy has garnered billions of views, and he has partnered with major businesses like UNICEF and Hugo Boss, making him the most popular TikToker.
Khaby recently became the focus of immigration attention after self-deporting from the United States after being briefly held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for overstaying his visa. His journey from factory worker to global hero continues to inspire millions of people despite the setbacks because of his unique blend of humor, sincerity, and resiliency.
Who is Khaby Lame?
Lame is an Italian national who was born in Senegal and currently has 162.2 million followers on the immensely famous TikTok social media app. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became well-known with his silent videos that parodied the complicated lessons and advice that are widely available online. He presents his straightforward solutions while interspersing his films with his signature gesture, which is palms toward the sky with wide eyes and a knowing smile.
After losing his work as a factory mechanic in March 2020, he was roaming about the housing project in Chivasso, close to Turin, where his family lived when he had the idea for his content. According to Forbes, he made an estimated $16.5 million via marketing agreements with businesses between June 2022 and September 2023 as a result of his popular posts. Additionally, he appeared in Fortune's 40 Under 40 and Forbes' 30 Under 30.
Khaby Lame's education qualifications
Khaby Lame's family
On March 9, 2000, Lame was born in Senegal. When he was one year old, his family relocated to Italy, where they resided in a public housing complex in Chivasso, close to Turin. There are three siblings for him.
Before his parents temporarily sent him to a Quranic school close to Dakar when he was 14, he attended Italian schools. Prior to being let go in March 2020, Lame operated CNC machines in a facility close to Turin.
Khaby Lame's dating life
However, things changed in November 2023 when Lame secretly married Danish South African model Wendy Thembelihle Juel. At the time, the news of his marriage did not garner much attention, according to TOI.
According to the report, just a small number of the wedding photos made their way online; there were neither viral reels nor an unending supply of social media photos.
However, according to reports, the couple was divorced in a little more than seven months. Vanity Fair claims that Nicola Paparusso, Khaby's manager, used the excuse of "unexpected and irremediable incompatibility of character" for their breakup. Therefore, the answer to the question is still "Yes."
Khaby Lame's net worth
Khaby Lame's estimated net worth in 2025 is a remarkable USD 16.5–20 million, according to reputable financial outlets like Fortune and Celebrity Net Worth. His income streams include up to $750,000 per sponsored post, along with high‑profile brand collaborations featuring Hugo Boss, Fortnite, Sony Pictures, and Walmart. Khaby's earnings are further supported by real estate investments and a signature product line sold through Walmart.
In addition to his social media success, he has ventured into acting—appearing in Bad Boys: Ride or Die—and became a judge on Italia's Got Talent, while also taking on the role of UNICEF goodwill ambassador, all contributing to his diversified income portfolio.
Khaby Lame's career
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Lame lost his job and started posting on TikTok. He was seen dancing and playing video games in his early recordings. He became well-known for his video answers to movies showing intricate "life hacks" using TikTok's "duet" and "stitch" capabilities. In the videos, he completes the identical work silently and with a distinctive hand gesture.
He overtook Addison Rae as the second most-followed personality on TikTok overall in April 2021 after surpassing Gianluca Vacchi as the most-followed Italian on the app.
Lame costarred in the announcement of Manuel Locatelli by Juventus FC in August 2021. He was a special guest at the Venice Film Festival in September 2021 for the premiere of Xavier Giannoli's French film Lost Illusions.
Lame and Hugo Boss struck a multi-year contract in January 2022, and Lame was highlighted in the #BeYourOwnBoss campaign.
He appeared in Forbes' 30 Under 30 and Fortune's 40 Under 40 lists in 2022. He received the Premio la Moda Veste la Pace in March of that year, which is given annually at the European Parliament by the African Fashion Gate organization.
Why is Khaby Lame detained by US Immigration?
Khaby Lame, is the most well-known TikTok performer in the world. He fled the United States after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Las Vegas for reportedly overstaying his visa. This coincides with President Donald Trump's intensifying immigration campaign, which includes raids in Los Angeles that sparked days of anti-ICE rallies.
The Senegalese-Italian influencer Lame was arrested Friday at Harry Reid International Airport but was allowed to depart the country without a deportation order, according to an ICE official. He "overstayed the terms of his visa," according to the spokeswoman, after arriving in the US on April 30.
Those who are facing removal from the United States might avoid a deportation order on their immigration record, which could bar them from returning to the country for up to ten years, by voluntarily leaving, as Lame was permitted to do.
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