Top Influencer Khaby Lame Creates Digital Nightmare With $975 Million Deal For Scary AI Avatar
Khaby Lame managed to take over the internet without uttering a single syllable. He essentially built an entire empire on nothing more than deadpan silence and his signature hand gesture. Now, the world’s most famous silent comedian has ensured his quiet dominance will last forever, even without his physical presence. The former factory worker has just inked a massive contract that essentially digitises his existence, selling the rights to his own face and personality.
It marks a staggering evolution for a man who began creating content as a simple coping mechanism during the pandemic. After losing his job in manual labour, Lame’s deadpan reactions to life hacks earned him the title of the ‘Gen Z Charlie Chaplin’. Six years later, that silence is worth nearly a billion dollars.
How A Silent Star Secured A £780 Million Payday
According to a public SEC filing, the 25-year-old creator has sold his company, Step Distinctive Limited, to the Hong Kong-based conglomerate Rich Sparkle Holdings. The all-stock transaction is valued at a massive £780 million ($975 million). This acquisition hands over control of Lame’s brand and commercial activities, but the most jarring aspect of the contract lies in the technology.
The deal grants the holding company rights to commercially develop an ‘AI digital twin’ of the TikTok star. This digital entity authorises the use of Lame’s image, voice, and specific behaviours to generate original, multi-version content. It essentially allows the company to produce new videos and advertisements without Lame ever stepping in front of a camera.
Rich Sparkle expects this futuristic partnership to generate £3.2 billion ($4 billion) in annual sales. This covers everything from brand endorsements to livestream commerce. ‘This is not just an equity acquisition but a revolution in the global content e-commerce model,’ Rich Sparkle wrote in a statement about the deal.
Visa Troubles Almost Derailed The Social Media King
This massive financial windfall arrives during a tumultuous period for the Senegalese-Italian star. Just seven months prior, Lame faced a significant legal hurdle when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him at Harry Reid International Airport.
The incident occurred last April, threatening his ability to operate within the United States. According to an ICE spokesperson, Lame ‘overstayed the terms of his visa.’ While he was eventually allowed to leave the country without a formal deportation order, it was a close call that could have jeopardised his international career.
Despite the friction with American border authorities, Lame’s business trajectory has remained untouched. Born Seringe Khabane Lame in Senegal, he has successfully positioned himself as one of the highest-earning figures in the history of the creator economy. As traditional celebrities wrestle with fading relevance, Lame has cashed in on his likeness at the perfect moment.
Why Digital Twins Are Replacing Flesh-and-Blood Stars
This agreement signals a dark shift in how celebrities manage their careers. While sports legends like Michael Jordan once had to be physically present on set to sell shoes for Nike, Lame has effectively automated his fame. By licensing his behavioural models, he has become a silent partner in his own life.
The concept of the AI avatar is rapidly becoming a standard, albeit controversial, marketing tool. We saw the potential for this technology back in 2022 when golf legend Jack Nicklaus teamed up with Soul Machines.
They created ‘Digital Jack’ which was a virtual version of the golfer permanently frozen at age 38. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman did something similar in 2024 when he shared a video conversation between himself and his own AI twin.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the industry. Meta tried to launch celebrity AI chatbots in 2023 using the likenesses of stars like Kendall Jenner and Tom Brady. They had to pull the plug just months later because users simply didn’t care.
That failure didn’t scare off corporate brands, though. Companies like Levi’s still announced plans to partner with tech startups to test AI-generated models. Their goal was to increase diversity in their ads without actually booking human talent.
Rich Sparkle Bets Big On A Platform Battle Plan
Lame’s deal stands out because of the sheer scale of the investment. It is one of the first times a creator from a video-streaming platform has licensed their brand for a digital avatar of this magnitude. Rich Sparkle is wagering that this model can scale across global markets, regardless of language barriers.
The company views this as more than just a talent management contract. ‘Industry sources suggest this structure resembles a platform battle plan more than an influencer network arrangement,’ Rich Sparkle said in a press release about the deal.
Fo Khaby Lame, the deal cements his status as a pioneer. He has secured his financial future and immortalised his digital persona, ensuring that his signature shrug will continue to sell products long after he decides to stop filming.
