Khaby Lame, well-known for silent movies that cross language and cultural obstacles, has struck gold. On 11 January, Wealthy Sparkle Holdings confirmed that it had accomplished a $975-million (almost ₹9,000-crore) deal to amass Step Distinctive Restricted, based by the TikTok star. Wealthy Sparkle is a Hong Kong-based firm listed within the US.
The transaction was first reported to the US Securities and Change Fee (SEC) on 9 January. The acquisition marks a shift from short-term model partnerships to a structured, platform-led enterprise mannequin.
The deal additionally consists of making an AI model of Khaby Lame utilizing his face, voice and magnificence. This digital model will create content material in lots of languages. It would work throughout totally different time zones, serving to him attain extra individuals concurrently.
In response to SEC filings, Lame owned 49% of Step Distinctive Restricted earlier than the sale. Now, he has reportedly change into a controlling shareholder of Wealthy Sparkle.
“This isn’t simply an fairness acquisition, however a revolution within the world content material e-commerce mannequin. We are going to completely mix Khaby Lame’s world affect with the ‘industrialized e-commerce operational capabilities’,” Wealthy Sparkle mentioned in an announcement.
Khaby Lame has a mixed world following of about 360 million. Wealthy Sparkle views Khaby as a uncommon creator who can drive worth throughout markets worldwide since he doesn’t rely upon language.
Quickly after the deal information, Wealthy Sparkle’s share value surged by greater than 650%, touching $180.64 on 15 January.
In response to Forbes, on paper, Khaby Lame’s internet value rose by $6.6 billion ( ₹60,510 crore) as a result of rise in inventory costs. The calculation was primarily based on his oblique holding within the firm. Nonetheless, due to restricted disclosure guidelines for overseas companies, it’s unclear whether or not he offered any shares when the costs reached an all-time excessive.
Then, Wealthy Sparkle’s share value crashed by 77%. As of 31 January, the inventory is buying and selling at $83.00. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless effectively above its pre-deal value, which was round $24.
Wealthy Sparkle listed on Nasdaq solely six months earlier, in July. It raised cash by promoting 1.25 million shares at $4 every. Its 2024 income was beneath $6 million.
‘Pink flag’
The corporate’s sudden change in path, sharp rise and steep fall to round $41 have raised “pink flags” amongst critics.
In response to Jim Chanos, the deal seems to be like a “Chinese language inventory promotion”. It’s a market manipulation sample the place little-known firms artificially inflate their share costs. Such firms usually have ties to China.
“The entire thing simply appears nuts,” Forbes quoted the founding father of Chanos & Firm as saying.
Cohen Milstein’s Laura Posner says, “I’ve solely seen that form of chart in a pump and dump scheme.”
“It is very suspect,” legal professional Brenda Hamilton commented on Wealthy Sparkle’s IPO.
There’s uncertainty over whether or not the deal has formally closed, Forbes says. Wealthy Sparkle has not filed a affirmation with the US SEC after its announcement.
Authorized consultants say this raises critical questions. Some imagine the valuation depends closely on Lame’s TikTok reputation, sparking issues over transparency and investor danger.
“It leaves loads of inquiries to be answered. It seems that the valuation is predominantly primarily based on Khaby Lame’s following on TikTok,” legal professional Ron Geffner advised Forbes.
ICE motion on Khaby Lame
Amid tighter immigration enforcement beneath President Donald Trump, Khaby Lame was detained by US immigration officers in Las Vegas for allegedly overstaying his visa.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed in June 2025 that Lame had been stopped at Harry Reid Worldwide Airport. He was later allowed to go away voluntarily and not using a deportation order.
A voluntary departure permits people to go away and not using a formal deportation report. That helps them keep away from long-term re-entry bans.
The Senegalese-Italian citizen entered the US in April 2025 and stayed past the permitted visa interval. He didn’t remark publicly on the incident.