Khabane "Khaby" Lame, originally from Senegal, moved to Chivasso, Italy, at the age of one. The 24-year-old has since lived a life many envy. After being laid off as a CNC machine operator in 2020, Khaby turned to TikTok .
There, he gained immense popularity by simplifying "life hacks" that others made too complex. In one clip, Khaby responds to a video of a man using a knife to peel a banana by simply using his hands to do it. He then does his infamous exasperated pose, which he is now famous for.
This earned him a massive following and made him the most followed creator on the platform, with 162.5 million followers. He also holds one of the top ten most-liked videos on TikTok.
His popularity led to numerous deals, endorsements, and even a role as a judge on Italia's Got Talent . In 2022, he was recognised in Fortune's 40 Under 40 and Forbes' 30 Under 30. Khaby's rise to fame also brought brief romantic liaisons, including a short-lived relationship with Italian social media influencer Zaira Nucci in 2020.
Three years later, he announced his engagement to Wendy Thembelihle Juel, showcasing a photo of her with a diamond ring. The couple reportedly married in a small traditional ceremony in November 2023 but divorced just over seven months later. According to Vanity Fair , Khaby's manager, Nicola Paparusso, cited "unexpected and irremediable incompatibility of character" as the reason for their split.
Following their separation, Khaby and Wendy removed each other's posts from .
