Have you heard? ICE detains Khaby Lame, Cugine serves sandwiches, and playlist creators avoid AI

Each week, we handpick a selection of stories to give you a snapshot of trends, updates, business moves, and more from around the creator industry. This week, one major TikToker had a run-in with the law, another started slinging pies, and some of the app’s other users auditioned for a Hollywood blockbuster.

Creator commotion

Khaby Lame leaves the U.S. after ICE detention. After immigration police accused the most-followed TikToker of overstaying his Visa, he ended his trip to Las Vegas. Lame has designs on become a global entertainment star, but for now, he’s playing soccer in Brazil and laying low for a bit.

Tyipcal Gamer is breaking more Fortnite records. The enterprising creator is building some of the biggest worlds in Fortnite through his studio JOGO. His tribute to departed rapper XXXTentacion got more than 220,000 players, which is a bigger base than Fortnite‘s popular Battle Royale mode.

Ingrid Nilsen returns to YouTube to reflect on her coming-out video. Ten years ago, one of YouTube’s biggest beauty gurus told the world that she is a lesbian. Years later, she revived her dormant channel to express the joy and gratitude she has felt ever since her momentous video. Happy Pride!

The biz

Step into Casa Cugine. The TikToker Danny Mondello, better known as Cugine, has become a notable food influencer by introducing millions of followers to the joy (and excessive caloric content) of Italian-American fare. Now he’s getting into the restaurant business himself with a sandwich spot in Williamsburg.

Nick DiGiovanni expands retail footprint for his OMSO brand. Speaking of TikTok foodies, former MasterChef contestant Nick DiGiovanni is bringing his seasoning line to Walmart shelves. If you’re more of an ecommerce type of person, you can also find OSMO’s blends on TikTok Shop.

Trisha Paytas has a RelationChip update. The influencer posted a YouTube video featuring Tinder‘s new snack brand. Each bag of Relationchips comes with a complementary Tinder Gold subscription. In pure Paytas fashion, her promotional effort offers peak drama.

Movers and shakers

Dhar Mann Studios bulks up with five new hires. The media company led by the titular social media moralist is taking its enterprise to the next level. The headlining hire is Toni Gray, a Fremantle and MrBeast vet who is coming on board as Dhar Mann Studios’ Head of Production.

UScreen has a new CEO. Former LTK and Compass exec Allison Yazdian has compiled two decades of experience across fields like media, finance, and content. Now, she’s taking the reins of a video monetization platform that works with creators and media companies.

Adam Collins is Reddit’s first Chief Communication Officer. The former Molson Coors exec can crack open a cold one to celebrate his move to a major social platform. Here’s hoping his official communiques get more upvotes than anything else.

Agency dealings

Range Media Partners signs Bretman Rock. The gender-bending beauty star has parlayed their social media fame into several potent opportunities, including an MTV show. Now they’re joining forces with Range while retaining their representation with UTA and Goodman Genow Schenkman, Smelkinson + Christopher, LLP.

Vinnie Hacker lands at WME. The TikToker is exiting CAA to sign with another big-name agency for representation in all areas. He made his name as a member of the Hype House creator collective, and he currently has more than 15 million followers on TikTok.

WME is working with Nigel Ng on an animated series. The comedian known for playing the character of Uncle Roger will take the lead in an upcoming project. There’s nothing to say other than “Fuiyoh!”

The internet is a strange place

YouTube playlist creators are making it clear that they aren’t including any videos with AI. Generative AI may be the next big thing in tech, but content without AI is becoming a major selling point as well. Perhaps the masses aren’t as willing to accept LLMs as it may seem on the ssurface.

A Hunger Games open casting call caught TikTok’s attention. As you would expect, the TikTokers who are going out for a role in an upcoming blockbuster are hamming it up big time. If any of them make it to Hollywood, they may be reminded who the real enemy is.

A teenager raised $150,000 for charity by running across the U.K. The length of TheHullBoy’s slogan is an opportunity for a little editing, but no changes are needed for the creator’s big heart.