Latest news with #streamer
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
An American mega-influencer flew to Lithuania. Then the chaos began.
When the YouTube mega-streamer IShowSpeed walked shirtless last week off a private jet into the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, the nation's economy minister was waiting for him on the tarmac with shots of šaltibarščiai, a cold pink beetroot soup. A mob of chanting fans was waiting, too, so the streamer — a 20-year-old from Cincinnati named Darren Watkins Jr., who has 120 million followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube — piled with his security detail into a minibus to drive to the city's historic Palace of the Grand Dukes, where the mayor served him cheese and honey and a troupe of young Lithuanian women taught him a traditional folk dance. 'These lyrics are about stabbing someone in the heart,' one woman said, with a smile. Speed, as his fans call him, had become famous during the pandemic for his hyperactive, hours-long broadcasts, where he'd rage about video games, leap over Lamborghinis and perform unprompted backflips. But lately, his real star power has come from his international tours, during which he blitzes into foreign countries to see the sights while surrounded by screaming teenagers, all of it live-streamed. Speed's TikTok-era travelogues often descend into chaos, but government officials have learned to love them nevertheless. His two-week trip through China this spring, where he fawned over the country's state-of-the-art phones and luxury cars, went so viral that the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper hailed it as a 'digital-age Marco Polo journey.' 'The U.S. has spent billions on anti-China propaganda, only to be undone by … IShowSpeed,' one report by the state news agency Xinhua said, citing a YouTube comment. This month, it was Lithuania's turn. When the Baltic nation learned Speed's next adventure would cross through northeastern Europe, local tourism officials scrambled to craft him an extraordinary itinerary, including throwing a discus with an Olympic silver medalist, swinging swords in 14th-century armor and walking along the crown of Lithuania's tallest tower. They also extended Speed an honorarium worth about $23,500 and spent another $8,000 on minibuses, snacks and 10 security guards supported by the Lithuanian police. 'We want teenagers to know, just like London and Barcelona, that Vilnius is really, really cool,' Akvilė Lesauskaitė-Hu, an official for the city's tourism agency, said in an interview. 'How else do we reach them? They don't watch CNN. They watch TikTok.' The stream was watched live by more than 115,000 people at one point, and its clips have been viewed millions of times. Speed's wild trip showcased how the business of social media influencers, known as the creator economy, has helped mint a new kind of celebrity, upending traditional hierarchies of culture, authority and fame. It also revealed how governments are focusing on creators' giant fan bases as a new strategy for soft power, pushing novel methods of attention-getting that could reshape how nation-states portray themselves to the rest of the world. Speed's lighthearted visits to China, Saudi Arabia and other countries have drawn criticism as propaganda exercises that promoted the countries in ways they wanted, rather than reckoning with their more complicated reality. And they have become a model for broader ambitions: China last month invited American influencers with more than 300,000 followers to a 10-day, expenses-paid nationwide tour, where they would work with Chinese influencers on videos and other kinds of 'collaborative storytelling.' Creators' 'emotional capital' with their fans have made them 'a scarce resource that many governments seek to harness,' said Jian Xu, an associate professor at Deakin University in Australia who researches digital celebrity and politics. Speed 'aimed to explore the lucrative Chinese market … [and] the government effectively capitalized on it as a 'laid on a plate' opportunity.' Crystal Abidin, an anthropologist who studies internet culture, said it only made sense that governments would tap influencers, whose fame now rivals movie stars, for their ability to churn out viral moments of spectacle and surprise. Speed's giddy reaction to China, she said, was just how he acted everywhere — and was what his fans wanted to see. 'This idea of glamorizing or popularizing China as a highlight reel, Speed does that with all countries,' she said. The question, she added, is whether that's 'propaganda, or simply good advertising.' Povilas Kondratavicius, a 25-year-old Vilnius native who worked as a sales manager at a military industry company, first saw Speed on TikTok three years ago and has watched him ever since, admiring his high-energy social interactions and feats of athletic talent. While watching Speed's China videos, he remembered thinking that the country he'd been taught was 'underdeveloped and authoritarian' actually seemed pretty advanced and culturally rich. So when Speed announced on stream that he'd be heading to Lithuania, Kondratavicius emailed the national tourism development agency and encouraged them to 'follow China's example' by taking the visit seriously. He said he felt it was his duty 'as a patriot' to ensure Lithuania looked great online. 'We're a really small country, we're in Eastern Europe, so we immediately have a bad reputation,' he said in an interview. 'And for my generation, and Gen Alpha, he's one of the most famous people there is.' After they got Kondratavicius's email, agency officials met with the tourism boards in Vilnius — as well as in Estonia and Latvia, the other Baltic countries on Speed's European tour — to pull together an emergency plan, Lesauskaitė-Hu said. Speed had promoted the tour with an online poster showing him on a throne near the Eiffel Tower, but officials didn't learn his exact visit date until it was only a week away, thanks to a tip from the manager of a popular Latvian TikTok star. Members of Speed's team did not respond to requests for comment. But on stream, Speed has said his security detail works to keep his plans secret until the last minute, in hopes of heading off public mayhem. Speed's plan, the officials learned, was to visit all three Baltic capitals in a single day, spending a few hours in each before racing to the next in a charter jet. So when he began the day in Estonia, Lithuanian officials watched his stream closely, expecting he'd get a meager reception; the fellow Baltic country's culture, Lesauskaitė-Hu said, is 'very Scandinavian … very reserved.' Instead, Speed was mobbed at every turn — so much so that a waterfront dock swarmed by onlookers collapsed. (Speed raced over dramatically on a water scooter, though no one appeared to be hurt.) When Speed landed in Vilnius later that afternoon, crowds had already amassed in the rain outside the airport and in the city center, half an hour's drive away. His videographer — a minor celebrity in his own right, known as Slipz — trailed Speed closely as he exited the jet, wearing only bulky slip-ons and shorts covered in the McDonald's logo. 'Lithuania, we are here,' he shouted, mispronouncing its name. Speed shook hands with Lukas Savickas, the country's sharply dressed minister of economy and innovation, and was given a tie-dye shirt like one the Grateful Dead gave to the country's bronze-medal-winning Olympic basketball squad in 1992, a source of national pride. Then he continued his whirlwind tour, first with the folk dancers, then some basketball, a medieval sword battle with members of the military, a meeting with a Lithuanian illusionist and a flight in a hot-air balloon. 'Yo, look at the whole of Lithuania, though,' he said from the top of the Vilnius TV Tower. 'This looks so beautiful, bro.' Speed's sprint through the Baltics drew frustration from some locals, including in Latvia, where he did a backflip at the Freedom Monument honoring soldiers killed in the country's 1918 war for independence and sung to fans from the balcony of the nation's ailing public radio station. One journalist there wrote that the moment — in which 'an unregulated content creator [was] peacocking at the home of Latvian broadcasting' — offered a foreboding symbol of how modern media had changed. The biggest debates, however, centered on the cost. Lithuania had offered 20,000 euros (about $23,500) to Speed's team, and the other Baltic countries extended similar packages, sparking debates in the local press over whether the streamer and his entourage truly warranted public funds. A columnist for the Lithuanian newspaper, Kauno Diena, wrote that the money could have helped stimulate the economy but was instead spent on an event whose main audience was minors — 'economically inactive people with unformed views and sporadic needs.' Others argued the cost was worth it, compared with the price of a travel-agency billboard or TV ad. Lithuanian journalist Andrius Tapinas wrote on Facebook that it was a bargain for that kind of global name recognition, particularly among a young generation for whom 'there's simply no other way to catch their attention.' 'Now parents have seen what drives their kids crazy,' he wrote, in Lithuanian, 'and maybe even had something to talk about with them over dinner last night.' Beyond branding, some in the Baltics argued the money was an investment in national security, given their borders with Russia and Belarus. Gediminas Užkuraitis, the co-founder of a consulting firm in Vilnius, told Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT that raising national awareness was critical given the country's 'image as a front-line state' to the war in Ukraine. 'If, for example, the American public had to decide whether Lithuania is worth defending, it helps if they've actually heard of us,' he said. After about 12 hours of streaming, Speed ended his Lithuania trip at Hotel Pacai, a converted mansion from the 17th century, bidding the country a live-streamed goodbye as young people ran alongside his car. He continued his European tour the next day with a visit to Poland, then Slovakia and France. By then, Vilnius's social media team had already posted their own video recap of the trip to Instagram. 'IShowSpeed caused minor chaos in Vilnius,' the post said. '10/10 worth it.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 Pro Tips for Streaming on Twitch to Reach the Next Level
If you want to stream on Twitch, you should first keep in mind some basic rules that everyone should internalize. Once you've started, you should soon consider how to reach the next level. TECHBOOK has five pro tips that we follow ourselves and that help increase your reach and, consequently, your success. Streaming on Twitch with 5 Pro Tips The right equipment is purchased and set up, and the appropriate game is chosen. The goal is also clearly defined: Either you want to stream on Twitch just for fun, or you want to be successful and be noticed by as many viewers as possible. If you're aiming for the latter, you can't ignore the following five tips. Consistency is Key Streaming on Twitch is one thing, but how are fans supposed to know when you're live again? Create a fixed streaming schedule and communicate it clearly. Viewers highly value reliability, which increases the likelihood that they will return. Engage with Your Community Engage in dialogue with your audience, answer questions, and thank them for subscriptions, donations, or new followers. An active community is the heart of a successful channel and should be carefully maintained. Uniqueness and Branding When streaming on Twitch, what sets you apart from others? Develop a personal trademark–whether through humor, special skills, or a striking overlay design. Your stream should have a high recognition value. Also of interest: How to Become an eSports Player? Networking and Collaborations Connect with other streamers. Guest appearances or joint streams are an effective way to gain new viewers. You can make new contacts through direct messages or comments during other live streams. Long-term Planning and Flexibility Set realistic goals and respond flexibly to new trends. And even though this is primarily about streaming on Twitch, other platforms like YouTube or TikTok can significantly boost your reach. If you have the capacity, it doesn't hurt to build additional channels and platforms that contribute to your brand and help attract new fans to Twitch from alternative sources. The post 5 Pro Tips for Streaming on Twitch to Reach the Next Level appeared first on TECHBOOK.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Breakfast Club' Hosts Blast Adin Ross During N3on Interview, N3on Apologizes To Kai Cenat
Hosts of The Breakfast Club went off on Adin Ross and his fans in the middle of an interview with fellow streamer N3on. During the sit-down, Loren Lorosa read an alleged comment from Ross in the live chat. Ross addressed N3on stating, 'N3on, I promise you tryna belittle you and disrespect you. You s**tin' on all of them. They weird as f**k. F**k them.' He was reportedly referring to the hosts of the controversial morning show. Jess Hilarious promptly chimed in, 'Well, this is not Adin Ross' interview so f**k him too.' N3on somewhat defended Ross in replying, 'Whoa what, we're all friends […] I think we should all come together and just spread happiness.' Jess cut him off and continued, 'Man, f**k all that kumbaya s**t. F**k Adin.' N3on fired back, 'Come on, that's my guy.' To which she responded, 'I don't give a f**k' and brought up one of N3on's problematic moments when he compared Kai Cenat's mother to Harriet Tubman. 'This is the internet. This is not just my chat, my community. The internet— just like me back then— could say whatever they want. So, this isn't a representation of me,' N3on said in defense of himself. Charlamagne Tha God later described the chat as 'wild racist' while N3on claimed he was looking at the same chat and didn't see the alleged racist commentary. 'If we were really a**holes, we wouldn't have had you up here and as soon as I heard about the Kai Cenat thing, we woulda told you to get the f**k on. Disrespecting somebody's mom and then saying that s**t about Harriet Tubman, if we were really being a**holes and tryna belittle you,' Charlamagne noted. N3on believed that he's since become a 'better person,' but Jess feels he's lying about said growth. Nonetheless, he apologized for saying 'f**k' Kai Cenat's mother and calling her a 'fat Harriet Tubman b***h.' Watch the heated ordeal and apology above. More from 6 Streamers You Need To Know Not Named Kai Cenat, DJ Akademiks, Or Adin Ross Keith Lee And Kai Cenat Named To TIME100 Creators List Kai Cenat, AMP Kick Off Summer House Streamathon With Help From Tony Parker Solve the daily Crossword
The Verge
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The VTuber world is in crisis over ‘owed' donations
On July 21st, 6,669-year-old demon queen Ironmouse, posted an 11-minute video explaining that she is leaving her talent management agency, VShojo. Ironmouse is a VTuber, or 'virtual YouTuber' — a type of a streamer who doesn't typically show their human face, instead creating elaborate digital personas to create content. 'I recently found out that for the past couple of months, I have been misled by VShojo,' she said, breathily, in her video. 'I believe that I am owed a significant amount of funds which I have not been paid.' With her pink hair, purple eyes, and horns, Ironmouse is one of Twitch's biggest streamers. She currently has over 2.3 million followers on Twitch, and 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube. In 2023, she won a Game Award for content creator of the year. A year later, she would briefly overtake Kai Cenat as the most subscribed to Twitch streamer with over 300,000 subs. Her VTuber colleagues at VShojo have follower counts in the hundreds of thousands across Twitch and YouTube. Now, in the aftermath of Ironmouse's video, most of them have also quit the company, with some of them alleging unpaid wages. According to Ironmouse, her trouble with VShojo started with the conclusion of her 2024 subscription marathon on Twitch. During the event, Ironmouse raised over $500,000 for the Immune Deficiency Foundation, a cause she explained was important to her as she — the real person behind the Ironmouse persona — suffers from common variable immunodeficiency or CVID. The Verge has reached out to VShojo, Ironmouse, and the Immune Deficiency Foundation for comment. 'Because the money came from my Twitch revenue,' Ironmouse said in her video, 'It required VShojo to make the donation on my behalf.' She claims this has not been done and that's why she's decided to leave VShojo: 'And most importantly, the thing that hurts me the most is that the Immune Deficiency Foundation, which is the most important charity to me and also the reason why I'm here today, is owed over half a million dollars from Vshojo. […] I really want to tell you everything, but unfortunately right now I have been instructed by my attorney to wait for more of the legal procedure to unfold. So one day I will be able to tell you the full story. But for now, I just need to let you know that I will no longer be a part of VShojo.' 'As of right now, I am an independent VTuber,' she said. While a creator leaving a talent agency is nothing new, especially in the world of VTubers, the scope and scale of this departure has had a serious impact on both VShojo and the wider VTuber community. In the hours after Ironmouse released her video, 12 of the 13 VTubers listed on VShojo's website have officially announced they are leaving the company. On July 22nd, Kson, a yakuza-themed VTuber with 1.3 million followers on YouTube, did a livestream in which she announced she too would be leaving the company, also alleging unpaid funds. 'And the reason why is because VShojo hasn't paid a significant amount of money to me,' she said. Most of the other members of VShojo, who said they were leaving on their livestreams and social media, would not give explicit reasons why, suggesting they aren't able to due to legal reasons. Nearly all of them expressed heartbreak related to their departure and shock at Ironmouse's treatment. 'Yes, I'm leaving VShojo,' wrote Projekt Melody on X. '[I] put my everything into this comp[any]. But I'm beyond devastated at what happened and I never in a million years thought I'd be saying these words.' When VShojo was founded in 2020, it positioned itself as 'talent first' as a way to differentiate itself from other companies that had reputations for treating talent poorly. This attracted popular VTuber talent and huge numbers of fans. VTubers operate similarly to Twitch streamers but can have extra expectations and constraints set upon them if they are corporately sponsored by talent agencies. To understand VTubers, it's best to think of them as digital Japanese pop idols. Almost every aspect of a corporate VTuber — their sponsorships, social media accounts, finances, name, and more — is owned and controlled by their agency. In most circumstances, if a VTuber decides to go independent, they have to leave every aspect of their persona behind including all the channels attached to that persona and start over from scratch. VShojo stood out as a company because its clients were not beholden to those terms. 'I'm actually shocked,' said Biggles, an artist and independent Vtuber who told The Verge she's been a fan of VShojo talent since the company's beginning. 'VShojo was a dream for many.' Ironmouse's dream for the Immune Deficiency Foundation lives on however. After posting her announcement video as her usual persona, she initiated a donation drive to replace the allegedly unpaid funds. Through her community, her former Vshojo colleagues, and their communities, they've raised almost $1 from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Ash Parrish Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Creators Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
The Verge
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Futurama season 13 is dropping all at once this September.
Posted Jul 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM UTC Futurama season 13 is dropping all at once this September. While Hulu took its time releasing the last two seasons of Futurama , the streamer announced today that every episode of season 13 will debut simultaneously on September 15th.
