At a Glance
- Lost job in 2020, then found viral fame through TikTok’s relatable silent reaction videos.
- Now commands major brand deals and earns millions annually as a digital creator.
- Global fanbase proves content can transcend language and geography through simplicity.
In early 2020, as COVID-19 lockdowns swept across Europe, 20-year-old Khaby Lame was one of countless workers laid off from Italy’s industrial workforce.
Born to Senegalese parents and raised in a public housing complex in Chivasso, a small town on the outskirts of Turin, Lame had been working at a local factory when the pandemic abruptly upended his life.
Jobless, with no clear path forward and only a modest smartphone in hand, Lame turned to TikTok — an app he had only explored casually.
What began as a light-hearted escape from lockdown boredom soon evolved into a life-changing pivot. With his signature silent reaction videos, Lame struck a chord worldwide, gaining millions of followers in months.
By 2024, that unlikely pivot had built him a digital empire. Forbes estimated his net worth at $20 million, driven by high-profile brand deals, fashion collaborations, and media ventures. Once laid off with little direction, Lame had become one of the most influential content creators on the planet — all without uttering a word.
Well-timed silent humor turned global social media empire
Lame’s genius was in simplicity. Instead of elaborate scripts or flashy production, he reacted to bizarre “life hack” videos with silent, deadpan expressions and expressive hand gestures. The format resonated. Within months, millions began to follow. By mid-2021, he was the second-most followed creator on TikTok, surpassing the likes of Addison Rae and Bella Poarch.
Now 24, Lame is no longer just a TikTok star. He’s a multi-platform brand. With over 160 million TikTok followers as of 2025, he commands advertising deals reportedly ranging between $400,000 and $750,000 per post.
TikTok star transcends language, joins Hollywood
As the world’s most popular TikTok personality with millions of followers, Lame has inked partnerships with companies including Hugo Boss, Binance, and Netflix. In 2022, he appeared at the Venice Film Festival and served as a juror at the Cannes Film Festival, signalling his crossover from digital creator to mainstream personality.
Lame’s rise is not only a testament to the power of social media virality but also the shifting dynamics of global fame. Without saying a word, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in the world, proving that relatability transcends language barriers. His comedic timing, wide-eyed reactions, and ability to express what audiences are thinking — without speaking — have created a universal appeal.
Khaby Lame’s rise to global stardom
In 2022, the Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, officially became an Italian citizen, a moment he called “a source of pride,” despite having lived in the country since infancy. That same year, Forbes named him among the highest-paid creators globally, estimating his annual income at over $10 million.
As he expands into scripted content, fashion collaborations, and film projects, Lame’s journey from factory redundancy to digital stardom with a Forbes estimated net worth of $20 million underscores a broader shift in what modern success looks like. In his own silent style, Khaby Lame has built a multi-million-dollar empire — without ever saying a word.
