In just 10 days, an impersonator of Kobe Bryant earned P674K.
CHINESE VERSION OF KOBE BRYANT – An impersonator of the late NBA superstar earned P674k in just 10 days.
In just 10 days, Ma Jinghui, a 21-year-old social media influencer from Yunnan, China, gained considerable attention by impersonating the late basketball icon Kobe Bryant. His rise to fame occurred on Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, where he began to mimic Kobe’s persona.
Initially starting with a modest following, Ma’s follower count skyrocketed to over 600,000 worldwide. Sporting Kobe’s iconic jersey number 24 and emulating his mannerisms, Ma became known as the “Chinese version of Kobe Bryant” during his live streaming sessions.
Ma’s transformation into Kobe was meticulous; he shaved his head, applied makeup to darken his complexion, and even practiced mimicking his facial expressions. Through his Douyin videos, Ma garnered significant attention, drawing in viewers with his Kobe-inspired outfits and basketball-themed content. In one notable video, Ma greeted his audience in English, saying, “Man, I’m back,” a phrase synonymous with Kobe’s return to the NBA after overcoming injuries.
The success of Ma’s impersonation venture was unprecedented, with his earnings reaching US$12,000 (equivalent to approximately P674,000) within the brief span of 10 days. However, amidst his newfound fame and financial gains, Ma faced criticism from detractors who accused him of exploiting Kobe’s legacy for personal gain. Some argued that his impersonation was insincere and merely a ploy to capitalize on Kobe’s enduring popularity.
“He is just cashing in on people’s love for Kobe,” a basher commented.
Despite the backlash, Ma remained steadfast in his aspirations, expressing his desire to expand his following to one million and continue live streaming basketball games in the future. Additionally, he harbored hopes of purchasing a new car for his father with the earnings from his impersonation endeavors.
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