Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed TikTok star, has officially shattered the “influencer” ceiling. In a move that redefines the creator economy, Lame has sold his management company, Step Distinctive Limited, to the Hong Kong-based firm Rich Sparkle Holdings in an all-stock deal valued at a staggering $975 million.
Key Highlights of the Deal
Market Expansion: The partnership aims to aggressively scale Lame’s influence in the U.S., the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, focusing on high-growth sectors like beauty, apparel, and fragrances.
The AI “Digital Twin”: Perhaps the most futuristic aspect of the deal is Lame authorizing the creation of an AI-powered digital replica. This “Digital Twin” will use his facial features, voice, and gestures to generate 24/7 multilingual content and virtual livestreams, allowing the brand to scale across time zones without Lame needing to be physically present.
Global Commercial Rights: For the next 36 months, Rich Sparkle holds exclusive rights to Lame’s brand partnerships, licensing, and e-commerce ventures—a move projected to generate over $4 billion in annual sales.
From Influencer to Owner: Unlike a typical brand deal, Lame will remain a controlling shareholder in the parent company, effectively shifting his role from a content creator for hire to a corporate equity partner.
This deal marks a historic shift in how digital fame is valued. For years, creators were at the mercy of platform algorithms and one-off “pay-per-post” contracts. Khaby Lame has provided a new blueprint: The Equity-Backed Creator. By remaining a controlling shareholder, Lame isn’t just cashing out; he is building a legacy. His brand—built on the universal language of a simple shrug—is now a “capital-grade asset” that competes with traditional Hollywood studios.
Rich Sparkle Holdings plans to leverage Lame’s 360 million total followers to launch massive co-branded lines in beauty, fragrance, and apparel. With a closed-loop system that combines content, supply chain, and AI technology, the “Khaby Lame” brand is poised to become a staple of global commerce. Khaby Lame’s journey from a factory worker in Italy to a billion-dollar business mogul is a testament to the power of simplicity—and a sign that the creator economy has officially entered its “Enterprise Era.”
