Keith Lee Reflects On His TikTok Journey Ahead Of Possible Ban

Keith Lee, the beloved viral meals critic and influencer, lately mirrored on his outstanding on-line journey as the opportunity of a U.S. TikTok ban looms.

From his humble beginnings to turning into a trusted voice for small companies and TikTok customers, Lee shared how the app remodeled his life and allowed him to attach with thousands and thousands worldwide. And in pure Lee style, he expressed his gratitude for everybody who helped make his dream a actuality.

As TikTok customers within the U.S. wait anxiously to see if the app will reside on or go darkish on Sunday, Jan. 19, many content material creators are saying their goodbyes on the app, simply in case.

For viral TikToker Lee, reminiscing and taking just a little journey down reminiscence lane to share a number of the good instances was his means of bidding TikTok and all his followers farewell if the app goes darkish.

“All of the information going round TikTok, I believe it is time to speak about it. So let’s speak about it,” he started his video. “I simply need to begin by saying if it isn’t actual and we’re right here after the nineteenth, regardless, this message nonetheless stands. This group, and after I say group, I do not say that flippantly, has modified my total life.”

He continued his video explaining that “numerous and numerous household’s lives have been impacted.” He then listed a number of of the folks he was capable of assist together with his meals critiques.

Lee named off a number of of the heartwarming tales that he was capable of have a hand in creating.

“A woman who was a instructor for 20 years was capable of retire after 24 hours of a assessment,” he mentioned. “A husband and a father who dreamed about having a restaurant bought identified with tongue most cancers proper after he bought his restaurant. Earlier than he handed, he was capable of see his restaurant flourish, one thing that he dreamed about his total life.”

His checklist continued to shout out the proprietor of a banana pudding store in Texas, and the way she was capable of open a second location. Lee additionally talked in regards to the Vegas pizza store that was “on the verge of closing, actually per week away from closing” and the way it’s nonetheless open two-and-a-half years later. He additionally mentioned Cleo’s in Chicago “went from having one location to 3.”

“And that is simply the 5 that got here to my thoughts. It has been over tons of,” he continued. “It is a mission that I consider wholeheartedly, God put me on, and nothing or no person is gonna cease me from doing that.”

Lee mentioned that it doesn’t matter what occurs with any app, “we stand with y’all.” He reminded his followers that his title is similar on all different social media channels, and shared that he has “big information” that he can’t “get into but.”

As with all of Lee’s movies, his loyal followers hopped into the remark part to share their help, gratitude, and love for all he is doing.

“You will have modified so many lives with this app I pray we get to maintain seeing you make a distinction,” one viewer wrote. One other mentioned, “Thanks Keith. God has used your reward of communication and compassion to assist folks. That’s what are lives are to make use of our presents and testimonies to assist and bless others. That is actual group.”

One different viewer added, “You’re the good folks of TikTok that make a distinction on this planet.”

Many others puzzled if Lee would transfer over to RedNote sooner or later, though he hasn’t responded to that simply but.

Lee, 28, lately opened as much as PEOPLE about how the app helped him to cope with nervousness and melancholy. He defined that his critiques should not solely serving to the eating places and small enterprise house owners, but in addition himself.

When evaluating a video from when he was 18 years outdated to now, he credited TikTok for the variations.

“I consider TikTok has performed a pivotal function in that, and the folks of TikTok,” he mentioned. “I am endlessly grateful for them.”

He additionally credit his household, spouse Ronni and their kids Karter and Riley, for serving to to floor him via his seasonal melancholy and nervousness.

“With out them, I do not consider that I’d have the ability to cope as a lot as I do or have as many instruments to enhance on it as I’ve,” he shared.

On Friday, Lee took to TikTok to share a throwback video to indicate simply how far he is come on the app.

The video reveals Lee making dinner for his spouse as she was taking good care of their child. He was responding to the remark, “why u cooking why the mom cannot provide help to,” with a “teachable second” the place he can “drop some information.”

It did not take lengthy for viewers to refill the remark part.

“This all began from somebody hating on the feedback? Look how this took off wow!!” one particular person wrote. One other added, “We made the proper particular person well-known…God bless you, Keith!!”

And the love and help did not cease there.

“Unbelievable progress. Grateful in your religion and laborious work,” one particular person shared. One other mentioned, “Thanks for being right here with us Keith and thanks for all of the superb content material.”