TikToker and Actor Khaby Lame Snagged by U.S. ICE Over Visa Drama

TikToker turned actor Khaby Lame, the Italian sensation known for turning viral tutorials upside down with a shrug and subtle smirk, hit a snag in the U.S. He was detained at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport over a simple visa overstay.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6th, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations,” the agency told AFP. The TikTok king, boasting 162.2 million followers, had entered the States on April 30th and “overstayed the terms of his visa.”

Fortunately for him, the drama was short-lived. He “was released the same day” and has “since departed the US.” Lame hasn’t publicly commented on the incident yet.

Known for his signature palms-up gesture and wide-eyed grin, Lame shot to fame by poking fun at overcomplicated online tutorials, creating silent comedy gold. Originally a mechanic from Chivasso, near Turin, he found fame after losing his job in March 2020. His resonating appeal not only broke TikTok records but also drew serious earnings. Forbes pegged his ad revenue between June 2022 and September 2023 at an estimated $16.5 million.