Featured Image Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images
Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Money, Technology, TikTok, Met Gala
Britt Jones
Topics: Artificial Intelligence, Money, Technology, TikTok, Met Gala
A TikTok star who has racked up the most fans to ever come out of the platform has made a powerful career choice which might have just set him up for life.
Once thought of as a silly video app for the public, TikTok became a way for talented individuals to rise above the ranks and show off their comedic, education, and revered skills to the masses.
With that came fame, money, and even sponsorship and brand deals that created celebrities overnight.
From TikTok, numerous stars were made, such as Charli D’Amelio, Bella Poarch, Addison Rae, and so many more.
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Some of the celebs have gone on to star in films, start their music careers, and gain international fame.
But for the most followed TikToker, he’s made bank like you wouldn’t believe.
Khaby Lame is a 25-year-old Senegalese comedian with 160.4 million followers on the video platform, and has become the face of non-verbal commentary clips on people’s fails.
Despite only creating his account in April 2021, Khaby, who is a former factory worker in Italy, quickly became a world-wide meme for his facial expression when recreating ‘life hacks’ that are more hassle than they are worth.
But his popularity has since reached new heights.
He has just struck a major business deal that’s worth $975 million dollars, and it’s linked to the tech industry.
Rich Sparkle Holdings has acquired Step Distinctive Limited, a company linked to Lame, which might even be able to increase his net worth in the long run.
Per VT, the deal involves plans to create an AI-powered version of Lame, which will use his Face ID, Voice ID, and behavioural models to create multilingual content and virtual livestreams, essentially taking his brand further than ever before.
As part of the acquisition, Lame will become a shareholder in the newly formed partnership, giving him control over its direction.
The concept of this ‘AI Digital Twin’ could mean that he’s able to provide 24/7 interactions with his fanbase, and not have to do a thing.
How’s that for starting a career without uttering a word?
But his fame hasn’t stopped him from getting into trouble.
Shockingly, he was detained in the US for violating immigration rules last year, leading to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding him as he attempted to leave the country on June 6.
Lame arrived in the US on April 30 for the Met Gala on May 5 due to his collaboration with Hugo Boss.
In a statement issued to AFP, ICE confirmed: "US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada for immigration violations.
The agency explained he was held for 'overstaying the terms of his visa', but was released the same day and 'has since departed the US'.