Engaging with Fans and Community in Brazil
Paulo Eduardo Dias Junior, a city councilman from Americana, approximately 78 miles (125 kilometers) northwest of Sao Paulo, informed The Associated Press that Lame has been enjoying his time interacting with local fans. On Wednesday night, Lame and Royal participated in a friendly soccer match with community members.
Junior, who organized the match on behalf of his nonprofit, Instituto Jr Dias, stated that the participation of both Lame and Royal helped collect 150 food baskets for vulnerable families in the area. "Emerson Royal is a role model for the children in our community, and so is Khaby, who is globally known through social media. He’s a sensation among kids today," Junior remarked. "He had a lot of fun with the kids and played a lot." According to Junior, the team featuring Lame and Royal secured a 3-1 victory. He added that the post-match celebration was largely smooth, though Lame opted for a parmegiana at a local restaurant instead of the traditional Brazilian barbecue.
This is not Khaby Lame's first visit to Brazil; he previously traveled to the country last year to attend Royal's wedding.
U.S. Detention and Voluntary Departure
Lame's arrival in Brazil follows his detention on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that the Senegalese-Italian influencer, whose legal name is Seringe Khabane Lame, allegedly "overstayed the terms of his visa" after arriving in the U.S. on April 30. He had recently attended the prestigious Met Gala in New York City just days after his arrival.
Despite the detention, Lame was permitted to leave the United States under a "voluntary departure" agreement, as confirmed by an ICE spokesperson. This arrangement allows individuals facing removal to avoid a formal deportation order on their immigration record, which could otherwise bar them from re-entering the U.S. for up to a decade. Lame has not yet publicly commented on his detention.
The incident occurs amid a broader escalation of immigration enforcement by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, including recent raids in Los Angeles that have sparked protests against ICE.
The Silent Star's Global Reach
The 25-year-old Lame rose to unprecedented global fame during the COVID-19 pandemic through his unique, wordless TikTok videos. His content often features him reacting with deadpan expressions to overly complicated "life hacks," a style that has garnered him over 162 million followers on TikTok alone, making him the platform's most-followed personality.
Born in Senegal, Lame moved to Italy as an infant with his working-class parents and holds Italian citizenship. His internet celebrity has quickly translated into broader opportunities, including a multiyear partnership with designer brand Hugo Boss signed in 2022 and his appointment as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in January. His current stay in Brazil indicates his continued international presence and engagement with fans across continents.