Khaby Lame, the most-followed personality on TikTok, recently traveled to Brazil after departing the United States, local officials have revealed. Following a brief detention by immigration authorities in the U.S. over an expired visa, Lame sought solace in Brazil, spending time with friends, notably staying with AC Milan player Emerson Royal.
According to Paulo Eduardo Dias Junior, a city councilman from Americana, Brazil, which is located approximately 78 miles northwest of Sao Paulo, Lame has been spending quality time mingling with local supporters. To establish a sense of camaraderie and extend his social presence, on Wednesday night, Lame participated in a friendly soccer match with the locals.
The TikTok sensation had to leave the U.S. after being held at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6 for allegedly overstaying his visa. While detained, Lame, legally known as Seringe Khabane Lame, was able to leave the United States without facing a deportation order, as per U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The soccer match was organized by Junior for the nonprofit organization he runs, Instituto Jr Dias, and through this initiative, they successfully gathered 150 food baskets for families in need. Junior commended Lame and Royal, stating, “Emerson Royal and Khaby Lame are esteemed figures for our community and an inspiration for young people worldwide. Khaby bonded with the children and actively participated in the game.” During the match, the team featuring Lame and Royal claimed a 3-1 victory.
As the match concluded, a traditional Brazilian barbecue celebration was arranged. However, Lame, opting for a different flavor, was taken to enjoy a parmegiana at a local restaurant instead.
This isn’t Lame’s first visit to Brazil; he previously attended Royal’s wedding in the country the previous year. Lame entered the U.S. on April 30 but remained beyond the expiry of his visa, according to officials. He had attended the prestigious Met Gala in New York City just before his detention, though he has yet to publicly address the situation.
The TikTok star’s voluntary departure from the U.S. came amidst an intensifying immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration, characterized by numerous raids and protests, notably in Los Angeles. A voluntary departure permits individuals like Lame to leave the U.S. without an official deportation order, which could potentially bar re-entry for up to ten years.
Since his rise to fame during the pandemic, Khaby Lame has captivated audiences worldwide with his silent, humorous takes on unnecessarily complex life hacks. Born in Senegal but raised in Italy, Lame holds Italian citizenship and has amassed over 162 million followers on TikTok alone. His growing popularity also secured him a multi-year collaboration with the high-end fashion brand Hugo Boss in 2022, and earlier this year, he was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.