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The Conversation
Fanny Georges, enseignant-chercheur, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Paris 3

Khaby Lame is the world’s most followed TikToker: the story of a Senegalese-born star who sold his identity

Khaby Lame TikTok Buster Keaton Charlie Chaplin Senegal Dakar

His name is Khabane Lame, but he is known worldwide as Khaby Lame. Born in Dakar, Senegal, he is the most followed content creator on TikTok.

He became famous for video clips in which he reacts to absurd “life hack” videos with a blank, slightly annoyed face, showing the hack wasn’t needed.

At the time of writing he has over 160 million followers: a world record achieved without uttering a single word. In January he sold his brand rights for nearly US$1 billion.

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