NEW YORK (BN24) — Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star, has left the United States after a brief but unexpected encounter with U.S. immigration authorities, following his appearance at the Met Gala in New York City.
Lame, 25, who has more than 162 million followers on TikTok, had arrived in the U.S. just days before attending the high-profile fashion event in May. The Senegal-born content creator, who was raised in Italy and now holds Italian citizenship, reportedly faced a temporary delay with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over visa-related documentation shortly after his appearance at the gala.
According to a source close to Lame’s team, the issue stemmed from a bureaucratic misunderstanding, not a legal violation. He was briefly held and later released, but the incident prompted him to cut his stay short and return to Italy.
Lame gained international fame during the COVID-19 pandemic with his unique brand of silent comedy, using wordless expressions to mock overly complicated “life hack” videos. His understated, relatable content propelled him to the top of TikTok’s rankings, where he remains the platform’s most-followed creator.
His meteoric rise has also brought global recognition beyond social media. In 2022, he signed a multi-year deal with fashion brand Hugo Boss. More recently, in January 2025, he was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for his influence and positive messaging.
Despite the incident, Lame’s team emphasized that his relationship with the United States remains positive, and that future visits are expected once documentation is clarified.
