Being deported can't stop him! TikTok star Khaby Lame signs a $975 million mega-contract to license his AI clone.

Khaby Lame (born Seringe Khabane Lame) lost his job during the pandemic in 2020 and started uploading silent videos on TikTok, often showcasing “simpler ways to do things” in a humorous and deadpan manner. With his distinctive dead fish face reactions and silent short videos, he quickly gained a large following and was dubbed “Generation Z’s Charlie Chaplin.”

In just six years, his followers surpassed 160 million, securing him the top spot on TikTok’s follower chart. At only 25 years old, he has already become a legendary figure in the content creation world. Recently, he sold the licensing rights to his AI digital clone for a record-breaking price, marking a major breakthrough in the AI era.

Returned to the U.S. after 7 months, signed a $975 million mega-contract

In April 2025, Khaby was briefly detained by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) upon entering Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Reports indicated he “overstayed his visa,” and although he was not officially deported, he was asked to leave the country.

However, this incident did not hinder his career progress. According to publicly available documents from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Khaby sold his company “Step Distinctive Limited” to Hong Kong-based holding company Rich Sparkle Holdings for $975 million in all stock.

The deal includes licensing rights for his AI digital clone, with an estimated annual revenue of $4 billion

This acquisition not only covers Khaby’s past brand activities, TikTok live streams, e-commerce content, and advertising production but also includes commercial development rights for his “AI digital clone.” This digital twin can mimic his appearance, voice, and behavior to generate original content in multiple languages and versions.

Rich Sparkle stated in a press release: “This is not just a share purchase but a revolution in the global content e-commerce model.” They estimate that this partnership could generate up to $4 billion in annual revenue.

Khaby’s silent charm enters the AI era, where influencers no longer need to appear on camera in person

This deal also signifies the arrival of the “AI influencer era.” Unlike the past, where icons like Michael Jordan or LeBron James had to shoot endorsement ads themselves, Khaby only needs to license his digital behavior model to let his AI “avatar” complete brand collaborations.

Similar concepts have already emerged in various industries. For example, golf legend Jack Nicklaus launched his 38-year-old AI virtual clone “Digital Jack” in 2022. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has also interacted with his AI version in “conversations” and shared videos publicly.

Meta launched AI celebrity chatbots in 2023, including Tom Brady and Kendall Jenner, but the project was eventually discontinued due to lukewarm user reactions.

AI character craze spreads from Hollywood to the fashion industry

Not only on social media platforms, but AI virtual avatars are also rapidly developing in entertainment and fashion. In 2023, an AI actor “Tilly Norwood” attracted interest from Hollywood agencies, sparking protests from real actors; the same year, Levi’s partnered with tech startup Lalaland to test AI models for showcasing diverse body types, skin tones, and ages in fashion.

However, Khaby Lame’s deal remains a milestone — it’s the first time a TikTok creator has licensed their personal brand as an AI virtual persona in a nearly $1 billion contract.

Rich Sparkle pointed out: “This structure is more like a global platform deployment strategy rather than traditional influencer endorsement collaborations.”

Khaby Lame’s contract not only makes him one of the highest-earning influencers but also highlights a new fusion model between AI and content creation. From unemployed worker to a top global content producer, his success story may symbolize the dawn of a new era — an era where “you” can be digitally replicated, spread worldwide, and even create limitless content value.

This article: Even deportation couldn’t stop it! TikTok star Khaby Lame signs a $975 million mega-contract licensing his AI clone first appeared on ABMedia.