Keith Lee’s come-up story is the American dream and a textbook definition of irony all in one. The 26-year-old MMA fighter began doing food reviews on TikTok as a way to practice speaking on camera when he did interviews as a fighter due to his social anxiety.
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His kind-hearted spirit, sense of humor and minimalistic delivery made him an instant hit online. Lee reviewed local restaurants in Las Vegas and his viral reviews brought busy lines to once-desolated establishments on the verge of foreclosure and bankruptcy.
@keith_lee125 💕The “Keith Lee Effect” would not be possible without God first and foremost and y’all, i truly appreciate it all. Thank You 💕 God Is Amazing 🙏🏽 #foodcritic
Now, Lee has over 13 million TikTok followers and has landed deals with the likes of Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s and Doordash. The online sensation has said he doesn’t want special treatment or free food from local businesses because, as he explained in an interview with KevOnStage, the money can come from large corporations that can afford it.
Lee did a review on the 2023 BET Awards, too, where he revealed his wife, Ronni, has been attending the show as a seat filler for the last decade.
“Thanks to God and with the help of Meta, not only will me and my best friend be at the BET Awards, we’re going to be on the red carpet,” Lee said in a TikTok. “Surreal.”
@keith_lee125 Bet Awards Storytime 💕 would you go ? 💕 #foodcritic
Lee also clarified his anxiety doesn’t mean he’s afraid of interacting with others, but that he over-analyzes every interaction, and his wife and family are the ones who keep him calm in those situations.
On the red carpet, the Lee family stopped by to speak to rolling out.
https://twitter.com/Keith_lee135/status/1632199050551521281?s=20
Keith, I thought you said you were done with award shows, what happened?
Keith: I’m everywhere I’m supposed to be. Anywhere I’m supposed to be is where I am.
With this being the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, what is your favorite hip-hop moment and why?
Keith: My favorite hip-hop moment is me and my wife at the BET Awards, looking amazing, feeling blessed and feeling thankful.
Ronni: Yes, first-timers. We couldn’t miss this awards show. We got invited, so we had to come through.
