Keith Lee reflects on his TikTok journey ahead of a possible ban

Keith Leebeloved viral food critic and influencer, recently reflected on his remarkable Internet journey as an opportunity for the U.S. TikTok a ban looms.

From his humble beginnings to becoming a trusted voice for small businesses and TikTok users, Lee shared how the app changed his life and allowed him to connect with millions of people around the world. And in pure Lee fashion, he expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped make his dream come true.

While TikTok users in the US anxiously wait to see if the app will go live or shut down on Sunday, January 19, many content creators are saying goodbye to the app just in case.

For viral TikToker As Lee says goodbye to TikTok and all his followers when the app goes down, he reminisces and takes a little trip down memory lane to share the good times.

“All the news around TikTok, I think it’s time to talk about it. So let’s talk about it,” he began his video. “I just want to start by saying that if it’s not real and we’re here after the 19th, the message still stands regardless. This community, and when I say community, I don’t mean it lightly, has changed my entire life. “

He continued his video explaining that “countless and countless families’ lives have been affected.” He then listed a few people he was able to help with food reviews.

Lee named several touching stories in the creation of which he was able to have a hand.

“A lady who worked as a teacher for 20 years was able to retire after a 24-hour check,” he said. “A husband and father who dreamed of owning a restaurant was diagnosed with tongue cancer right after he bought his restaurant. Before he passed away, he was able to see his restaurant flourish, something he had dreamed of all his life.”

His list went on to shout out the owner of a banana pudding shop in Texas and how she was able to open a second location. Lee also talked about the Vegas pizzeria that was “on the brink of closing, literally a week before closing” and how it’s still going two and a half years later. He also said Cleo’s in Chicago “went from one location to three.”

“And those are just five that came to mind. It was over a hundred,” he continued. “This is a mission I believe in with all my heart, God has put me on this and nothing or no one will stop me from doing it.”

Lee said that no matter what happens with either app, “we support you all.” He reminded his followers that his name is the same on all his other social media channels and shared that he has “huge news” that he “can’t get into yet.”

As with all of Lee’s videos, his loyal followers jumped into the comments section to share their support, appreciation and love for everything he does.

“You have changed so many lives with this app, I pray we continue to see you make a difference,” wrote one viewer. Another said: “Thanks Keith. God used your gift of communication and compassion to help people. This is what life is all about, to use our gifts and testimonies to help and bless others. It’s a real community.”

Another viewer added: “You are the good people of TikTok who are changing the world.”

Many others have wondered if Lee will switch to RedNote in the future, although he has yet to answer.

Lee, 28, recently opened up to PEOPLE about how the program helped him deal with anxiety and depression. He explained that his reviews help not only restaurants and small business owners, but also himself.

Comparing the videos from when he was 18 and now, he mentioned the differences of TikTok.

“I think TikTok and the people of TikTok played a key role in that,” he said. “I am eternally grateful to them.”

He also credits his family, wife Ronnie and their children Carter and Riley, for helping him overcome seasonal depression and anxiety.

“I don’t believe I would be able to handle as much as I do or have as many tools to improve as I do without them,” he shared.

on friday Lee took to TikTok to share a video to show how far he’s come on the app.

The video shows Lee cooking dinner for his wife as she looks after their baby. He was responding to the “why do you cook, why can’t your mother help you” comment with a “teachable moment” where he can “give some knowledge”.

It didn’t take long for viewers to flood the comments section.

“Did it all start with someone hating on the comments? Look how it went wow!!” one person wrote. Another added: “We made the right man famous… God bless you Keith!!”

And the love and support did not stop there.

“Unbelievable growth. Thank you for your faith and hard work,” one person shared. Another said: “Thanks for being here with us Keith and thanks for all the great content.”