Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok personality, has left the United States after being briefly detained by federal immigration authorities.
According to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson, the Senegalese-Italian influencer was taken into custody on Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying the terms of his visa. Lame, who has 162.2 million followers on TikTok, had entered the U.S. on April 30.
The 25-year-old was not issued a deportation order but was instead granted voluntary departure, allowing him to exit the country without triggering a long-term reentry ban.
Individuals who are formally deported can face restrictions from reentering the U.S. for up to 10 years.
During his time in the U.S., Lame — whose full name is Seringe Khabane Lame — attended major events including the Met Gala and the Costume Institute benefit gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Lame rose to global fame during the COVID-19 pandemic for his humorous, wordless reactions to overly complicated “life hack” videos. His distinctive style and massive following led to a high-profile partnership with fashion brand Hugo Boss in 2022, and in January 2025, he was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
He has not made any public statements regarding his detention but has continued to post content on TikTok since the incident.
