Darren “IShowSpeed,”a prominent YouTube streamer with an impressive following of 37 million subscribers, is currently on his inaugural IRL (In Real Life) tour in China. This tour has already featured two live streams from major cities, Shanghai and Beijing, both of which received enthusiastic feedback from viewers.
However, IShowSpeed’s journey has not been without its share of controversies. Below are five notable incidents that have occurred during his China IRL tour, highlighting the complexities of being a prominent figure in the digital space.
Top 5 Controversies During IShowSpeed’s China IRL Tour
1) Misinterpreting a Popular Chinese Song
One of the first controversies arose when IShowSpeed misheard the lyrics of a trending Chinese song, “Sunshine, Rainbow, White Pony,”by Wowkie Zhang. A specific line, transliterated as “Nà gè,”which translates to “that one,”was misinterpreted during live interaction due to its phonetic resemblance to a racial slur when repeated. This led to a flurry of stream sniping where viewers exploited the moment for viral content, prompting animated reactions from Speed himself.
2) Advocating Against Anti-China Sentiment
In the face of geopolitical tensions, there has been significant discourse surrounding Western content creators traveling to China. Speed’s presence in the country has been framed as a counter-narrative to anti-China propaganda. His streams have been endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., presenting his tour as a means of promoting cultural understanding. An official post highlighted the importance of digital influencers in bridging cultural divides.
“The 20-year-old popular American YouTuber #IShowSpeed @ishowspeedsuii has kicked off a journey in #China that has already garnered massive global attention, which indicates a broader trend of digital influencers bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”
3) Streaming on a Banned Platform
Before his stream commenced, discussions emerged about the implications of IShowSpeed’s streaming activities in a country where YouTube has been banned since 2009. Online speculation included the risk of legal repercussions, but Speed managed to navigate these concerns without incident, praising China’s robust internet infrastructure for facilitating his streams.
4) Offensive Remarks from Stream Snipers
Despite much of the tour’s positive reception, certain stream snipers crossed the line by using racially insensitive language during live broadcasts. In an incident where one individual used a derogatory term, Speed’s nonchalant response further fueled criticisms regarding the edgy culture prevalent within his fan community.
5) Safety Concerns Amidst Crowded Gatherings
IShowSpeed is known for attracting massive crowds during his IRL streams, a trend that factored into safety concerns during his time in China. His first stream in Shanghai celebrated his subscriber milestone but also drew a large audience, leading to moments of overwhelming chaos. Additionally, there were instances where the behavior of fans became alarming, including one individual who brought a watermelon as a racially charged joke.