Khaby Lame—the world’s most-followed TikTok creator—has closed a landmark business transaction worth roughly $975 million, a move that extends far beyond the usual influencer sponsorships. The deal gives a publicly traded firm control of his company and the commercial rights to an AI version of his persona.

According to regulatory filings, Lame sold his holding company, Step Distinctive Limited, to Rich Sparkle Holdings, a Hong Kong–based company, in an all-stock agreement valued at $975 million. The acquisition covers Lame’s brand, e-commerce operations, live-stream commerce, TikTok Shop activities, endorsements, and other revenue streams tied to his influence.

A significant aspect of the arrangement is the authorization to develop and deploy an AI “digital twin” of Lame that can create content using his likeness, voice patterns, gestures, and behavioral traits. This digital representation is intended to produce social content in multiple languages and contexts, effectively amplifying his presence across global markets without requiring his physical engagement.

The acquiring company has projected that commercializing Lame’s massive online following—he has more than 160 million TikTok followers—could generate more than $4 billion in annual sales. The strategy leverages his brand beyond traditional short-form video and places him at the center of an expanded content and commerce ecosystem.

The deal’s timing follows a dramatic few months for Lame, who, despite being briefly detained by U.S. immigration officials in 2025 for overstaying a visa and subsequently leaving the country, has continued to build his global creator business.

Lame’s path to this milestone reflects his unique rise from making silent, humorous response videos during the COVID-19 pandemic to becoming a digital entertainment powerhouse. His nearly universal appeal—rooted in nonverbal comedy that transcends language barriers—has turned his online presence into a business asset with strategic value far beyond social media metrics.

Industry observers see this transaction as a bellwether for the creator economy, illustrating how digital personalities can evolve into tradable brands with equity stakes and long-term monetization models. Rather than relying solely on sponsorships and ad revenue, creators like Lame are now positioning themselves as owners and partners in broader commercial ventures.