‘Making Money Off of People’s Love for Kobe’: Chinese Man Uses Blackface to Transform Himself into Kobe Bryant and Earns $12,000 in 10 Days

A Chinese player and social media influencer has found a brand new profession after fans noticed he bears a striking resemblance to one of the world’s most famous basketball players. Now, as an alternative of playing video games all day, the 21-year-old Yunnan resident has taken on his newfound role as a Kobe Bryant impersonator.

Now the social media influencer has captivated viewers by transforming his appearance with makeup and hair from a light-skinned Asian man in the image of the late African-American sports legend.

Before Ma Jinghui became the 18-time NBA All-Star, he had just a number of thousand followers on Douyin, China’s equivalent of TikTok. However, since sharing a picture of the late Los Angeles Lakers star, his following has grown to over 600,000. This newfound fame just isn’t nearly vanity; it’s profitable. According to the South China Morning Post, his Kobe Bryant impersonation earned 80,000 yuan ($12,000) in just ten days.

The publication also reported that Ma “consistently (attracts) over 100,000 viewers during each live session” on social media from people desperate to see him in the five-time NBA champion’s uniform.

To achieve this look, Ma shaved his head and used a shade of brown foundation that matched Kobe’s cocoa complexion. Some people complain that he just isn’t muscular enough to fully achieve this look, which is why he committed to figuring out on the gym to increase his weight.

He also tries to learn one of the three languages ​​Kobe spoke.

(*10*) he said, preparing to take his impersonation to the following level. Calling himself the “Chinese version of Kobe Bryant,” he plans to support his family with the cash he earns from playing a star.

“I hope to earn more money, buy my dad a car and buy my sister a new phone,” he said.

Adding, “My goal is one million followers and I will be live streaming basketball games in the future.”

This is not the primary time an individual of Asian descent has gained popularity by transforming his appearance into a former basketball and rap artist.

On May 27, 2022, Asian makeup artist @Easy_BaoBo posted a video of her impersonation on TikTok. Using prosthetics and brown paint, she transformed herself into Bryant’s likeness. The process involved sculpting African features, applying wealthy mocha skin tones, and detailing distinctive features resembling eyebrows, mustaches, beard and hairstyle using sponges and black paint.

Easy BaoBo stated that the rejection she received was that she played blackface to gain strength.

“What people miss today about a woman doing blackface is that she did it on purpose to get that reaction and her TikTok tag went viral,” one person wrote.

Another added: “When you see something this blatant, it almost ALWAYS has an impact. This is clearly racist. But it’s racism in the name of power.”

Another he wrote, “This is blackface. Whether the intentions are cruel or not, he is exercising the black suffrage. She uses Black Pain as an art form that does not come from her culture. And making money along the way… that gave them the clout they were looking for.”

Critics criticized Ma harshly, but not as harshly because the makeup artist. One person said he’s nothing just like the basketball player who died in a helicopter crash together with his daughter Gigi Bryant in January 2020 and is “just cashing in on people’s love for Kobe.”

Others imagine that is the fallacious way to view tribute.

“As long as there’s love and perseverance, regardless of background or wealth, anyone can play basketball. That’s what Kobe taught us,” one fan offered.

‘Making Money Off of People’s Love for Kobe’: Chinese Man Uses Blackface to Transform Himself into Kobe Bryant and Earns $12,000 in 10 Days