In the past few years, the burgeoning fame of social media TikTok gave platforms to many entertainers. No doubt, original content & creativity attract a lot of followers; thanks to his diss of over-exaggerated so-called life hacks, the Senegal-born and Itlay-based Khaby Lame now stands as the second most-followed TikToker.
With the milestone crossing over 100 million followers, Lame, currently in his early 20s, became Europe's first TikTok megastar and is second to American-born Charli D'Amelio- the most-followed TikToker. Earlier, he worked as a CNC machine operator but got into the video-sharing app after the COVID-19 lockdown.
Check out interesting facts about Khaby Lame.
1) Moved To Italy From Senegal- He Is Only 21 Now
The Senegalese TikTok star was born on March 9, 2000; his age is 21 as of 2021. From a devoted Muslim family, his birth name is Khabane Lame, but is professionally famous as "Khaby". His family moved to Italy when Lame was only 1 and grew up in Chivasso, Italy, where, he currently resides.
Still, he doesn't have Italian citizenship or an Italian passport. As per the TikTok sensation, it was never a problem for him unless his fame saw him invitations from other influencers to visit the United States.
2) Second-Most Followed TikToker: Crossed 100 Million Followers Milestone
Unexpected things happen to create something big, probably it was the same for Khaby Lame, who now reigns the position of second-most followed TikToker. As of August 2021, the TikTok sensation has more than 105.5 million followers on his official account (@khaby.lame), totaling 1.6 billion likes.
CAPTION: TikTok growth chart of Khaby Lame, the second-most followed TikTok star as of August 2021 SOURCE: Insiflow Back in June 2021, he reportedly was bubbling around 65 million followers, but within a month (by July), it soared to 84 million followers and left behind Addison Rae with 83 million followers; the latter was formerly second-most followed.
As the surging following bestows upon Khaby, fans believe this pace can extend his reach to the top. Currently, the #1 most-followed TikTok star is Charli d’Amelio, with more than 123 million followers and 9.762 billion views. Back in November 2020, then-17-year-old Amelio became the first with a 100 million followers milestone.
3) Worked In Factory: COVID-19 Left Him Unemployed Until Fame From TikTok
Khaby Lame worked as a CNC machine operator in Chivasso, in northern Italy, but after the COVID-19 lockdown, he lost his job. So, he moved back to his family's modest apartment although his father had insisted to apply for other jobs.
Rather, the Senegal-born joined TikTok, and within a course of a year, he has become the second-most followed TikToker, surpassing Addison Rae who formerly held the rank. Not only his comedy skits saw him huge fame, but also escape from the financial crisis due to unemployment.
4) Barely Speaks In Video
In March 2020, Lame began posting in TikTok; created videos of video games in the early phase, but later went to post humor- mostly sarcasm to videos that unreasonably complicate simple tasks. It made him famous overnight. As TikTok introduced its duet and video stitch feature in September 2020, as a response or reply to other's videos, it led to Khaby's unexpected rise to fame.
In response to an ad for a car rearview mirror to spot pedestrians, the Itlay-based entertainer made a video that featured him looking before opening the car door.
Other savage contents of him include simply peeling a milk carton open and pours the liquid into a glass, rather than using scissors to cut open; and simply peeled banana as a reply to delicately slicing the peel off a banana with a chef’s knife.
Barely, the TikToker talk on his videos, rather, lets his famous "eye-rolling" and comic facial expressions do the work. Though in his early content, he spoke mostly in Italian, with Italian subtitles but his goofy smiling without any words when simplifying the so-called life hacks soared him with millions of followers.
5) Fully Organic Development In TikTok World
While many TikTok figures, some of whom have made an entry in Hollywood, saw an aid of collab house to rise to fame, or even tried artificial growth, Khaby went entirely organic. No wonder, why his meteoric rise as a digital creator is quite aspiring.
Although he did not have any polished production value, Lame believes it was due to his simplicity with exclusive relatable content. In fact, his videos almost "debunks or mocks the overproduced trends."
6) Net Worth Of Khaby Lame In 2021
As of late 2021, Khaby Lame has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. No doubt, such huge fame, and an accolade as second-most followed TikTok figure, his days saw a drastic transformation from tight economy to luxury.
With a calculation from the Influencer Marketing Hub tool, his TikTok account earns him in the range of $62,881 - $104,802 per post. Moreover, as per online sources, Khaby charges $50,000 for a single promotional video on his platform.
CAPTION: Lame, who is now a millionaire, often shows Mercedes G-Class on his videos SOURCE: Instagram@khaby00 Aside from TikTok, the Senegal native yet famous as an Italian influencer has a massive fan-following of 37.2 million on Instagram (@khaby00). As reported, he can expect $73,504 - $122,506 per sponsored post on Instagram.
Also, on his Instagram, he is set for a new venture- an online merch store on Instagram @khabyshopofficial, yet to launch, but has already 62.7K followers.
Although the social media sensation is yet to confirm his property holdings inclusive of houses or cars, he does seem interested in the luxury wheelies. In his videos, Lame often features Range Rover and Mercedes G-Class but has not confirmed ownership so far.
7) Engaged To Girlfriend Zaira Nucci
The Senegalese-born and currently Italy-based TikTok star is in a relationship with his girlfriend-turned-fiancee Zaira Nucci. Nucci, an 18-year-old, from Agrigento, Italy moved to Chivasso with her family, where she would meet Khaby.
In an Instagram story reply, Lame confirmed that the duo met back in October 2020, and are dating since then. Though, the exact detail on how they met is yet to get into the light. However, fans assume that since Zaira is also active on TikTok, it is possible that the couple met through the platform.
CAPTION: Khaby Lame and his girlfriend Zaira Nucci SOURCE: Instagram@khaby00 Moreover, the two are reportedly engaged as in an IG post of Khaby in April 2021, the teen flaunted her ring as the TikTok star hugged her.
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