The famous YouTuber IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins, is one of the fastest-growing content creators on the said platform. Popularly known by fans as “Speed”, the gamer is known for his gaming and entertainment live streams. The content creator now has over 15 million subscribers on YouTube.
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Fans have made assumptions about IShowSpeed’s sexual orientation based on certain aspects of his personality and behavior. If you are also curious about IShowSpeed’s sexual orientation, read as we explore the answer to the question — is IShowSpeed gay?
VOTE: What is IShowSpeed’s Sexuality?
Speed and His Many Controversies
There’s no doubt that Speed’s sudden rise to fame is astonishing. The streamer has gained over 8 million subscribers in a little over a year since he joined YouTube. But his sudden rise to stardom is not only because of his unique persona and bold and entertaining commentaries, it was also basically fueled by controversy after controversy.
Getting involved in various controversies made the YouTuber a perfect meme subject for Instagram and TikTok content creators. That somehow boosted his sudden rise to popularity, making him one of the fastest-growing streamers of 2022.
Speed first started streaming on the Amazon-owned live streaming platform Twitch, where he would play games like NBA 2K, FIFA, and Fortnite Battle Royale. His first major controversy, which got him viral, was way back in December 2021 when he appeared as a guest on Adin Ross’ channel, another Twitch streamer.
Say we’re the last two people on Earth and we had to reproduce to make the world, would you reproduce with me?”
Speed asked Ash Kaash, a female content creator
Who’s going to stop me? If we’re the last two people on Earth, who’s going to stop me? You can’t stop me! We’re the last two people on Earth! Who’s going to stop me?”
Speed continued
The incident got him banned from doing streams on Twitch for “sexual coercion or intimidation”. He then moved to YouTube and started doing his streams there.
On April 7, 2022, he was banned from playing Valorant, a team-based first-person tactical hero shooter game, because of a violent and misogynistic comment against females in-game.
What? What? B**tch? B**tch? Is a b**tch talking to me? Is a female talking to me? Is a female talking to me right now? Is a f***ing female talking to me? Get off the f***ing game and do your husband’s dishes, b**ch! Shut up! F**k you! F**k is wrong with y’all?”
Speed violently yelled while on his stream
The most recent controversy he was in was on July 4 of the same year when the YouTuber lit a Pikachu-themed firework inside his room during a stream which made his mother call firefighters.
The YouTuber “confirmed” that he was gay last September 2021 during a stream with musician Ava. “G-A-Y”, Speed even emphasized.
However, on the very next day, he posted a video taking back the confession.
I didn’t mean to say it. It was just a misunderstanding. Trust me, I’m straight.”
Speed clarified, urging his fans to forget what he just said
The fans who celebrated his “coming out” were disappointed because of the sudden change of mind. Some even insisted that the YouTuber is gay and that he only has to take the confession back because of the toxic and homophobic community he was in.
Is IShowSpeed Gay?
The question of whether IShowSpeed identifies as gay or not remains unanswered, as there is no concrete evidence to confirm or deny his sexual orientation. While he has made a statement on social media suggesting that he is gay, it is unclear whether this was meant to be taken seriously or as a joke.
Furthermore, there is a lack of information about his past relationships, making it difficult to make assumptions about his sexuality. Until IShowSpeed chooses to openly discuss his sexual orientation, it’s best to refrain from making assumptions about the subject.