22-year-old Senegalese-born social media personality, Khaby Lame, has achieved incredible success after losing his job during the pandemic and turning to TikTok to showcase his unique talent. Lame has now become the most-followed person on the popular social media application, boasting an astounding 149.5 million followers.
With his rise to stardom, Lame’s estimated net worth has surpassed $10 million (Ksh1.2B). His financial success is further evidenced by the fact that he earns approximately $740,000 (Ksh9 million) per single TikTok video. This meteoric rise has caught the attention of Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange, which recently appointed Lame as its global brand ambassador.
As part of this partnership, Binance plans to collaborate with Lame on exclusive NFT collections, aiming to enhance web3 awareness and promote its adoption. This move follows Binance’s previous signing of renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as a brand ambassador.
Lame’s earnings are projected to reach around $10 million this year alone, showcasing his remarkable growth in less than two years since his first TikTok video was posted in 2020. On average, he reportedly earns over $400,000 (Ksh47 million) from brand-sponsored videos. Notably, Lame has invested his wealth in various ventures, including real estate, restaurants, and software companies.
To further his success, Lame has devoted considerable time to learning English. He immerses himself in American movies and cartoons and dedicates an hour each day to working with a tutor, according to Fortune. With ambitions beyond social media, Lame aspires to become an actor and was recently offered Italian citizenship, having lived in Italy since he was one year old.
Given his extraordinary growth rate, both his net worth and TikTok account are projected to soar exponentially in the coming year. Lame’s silent yet expressive videos, relying solely on reactions rather than dialogue, have resonated globally, transcending language barriers and propelling him to immense popularity on the social media platform.
Khaby Lame’s story serves as a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the boundless opportunities afforded by the digital age. His journey from unemployment to becoming a social media sensation and brand ambassador stands as an inspiration to many aspiring content creators worldwide.