Khaby Lame, the world's most followed TikTokker, has become an Italian citizen.
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Khaby Lame, the world's most followed TikTokker, has become an Italian citizen.
Lame was born in Senegal then moved to Italy as a young child and was raised in a poor area of the town of Chivasso, outside of Turin.
When COVID hit, the 22-year-old lost his job in a factory and was forced, like millions of Italians, to stay home.
Lame took to social media to pass the time, and with his silent videos he shot to TikTok stardom. He currently has 148.5 million followers and has become an international star. Last June, he dethroned the American Charlie D'Amelio and his 142 million subscribers.
His trademark? Mimed and silent reactions to events he considers absurd, with the TikTok motto: "If u wanna laugh u r in the right place."
Pride in humble beginnings
Despite his worldwide success and ensuing sponsorship and endorsem*nt contracts, Lame is proud of his humble origins.
After the ceremony held on Wednesday in Chivasso, in which he was officially granted Italian citizenship, Lame recalled his childhood on Via Togliatti in a poor neighbourhood.
"I have always lived in the slums, but there, in our having nothing, we were happy, we were glad, we played in the courtyard, even though we had nothing."
Lame, like many children of migrants in Italy, had to wait until he was an adult to become a citizen.
"I already felt Italian before, I mean, before today," he said. "So very little has changed."
In Italy, the right of blood prevails and not the law of the ground: it is necessary to have an Italian parent to obtain Italian citizenship, otherwise the steps are often very long.
Video editor • Theo Farrant
I'm a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of social media and internet culture, particularly TikTok. My depth of knowledge extends beyond the surface, delving into the intricacies of influencers and their journeys. Now, let's delve into the details of the article about Khaby Lame, the world's most followed TikTokker, who recently became an Italian citizen.
Khaby Lame, born in Senegal, moved to Italy as a young child and was raised in a humble area outside of Turin called Chivasso. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of social media in shaping lives.
The article mentions that Lame lost his job in a factory during the COVID pandemic, forcing him, like millions of Italians, to stay home. In this period, he turned to social media, specifically TikTok, where his silent videos quickly propelled him to stardom. With 148.5 million followers, he surpassed even renowned TikTok figures like Charlie D'Amelio.
Lame's trademark lies in his mimed and silent reactions to events he finds absurd, following the TikTok motto: "If u wanna laugh u r in the right place." This unique approach has garnered him a massive global following and international stardom.
Despite his success and subsequent sponsorship deals, Lame remains proud of his humble beginnings. After being officially granted Italian citizenship in a ceremony in Chivasso, he reflected on his childhood in a poor neighborhood, expressing happiness and contentment despite having very little.
It's worth noting that, like many children of migrants in Italy, Lame had to wait until adulthood to obtain citizenship. Italy follows the right of blood, requiring an Italian parent for citizenship, unlike the law of the ground prevalent in some other countries.
In conclusion, Khaby Lame's journey from a modest background to becoming the world's most followed TikTokker, coupled with his recent Italian citizenship, showcases the transformative power of social media and resilience in the face of challenges.
