IShowSpeed – the online persona of Darren Jason Watkins Jr. – became one of the internet’s most globally recognised names in little to no time at all. As a result he is due to take part in his second Sidemen charity football match this weekend.
It started as humble beginnings for the now 20-year-old, streaming video games from his bedroom. Little did he know picking up a copy of FIFA would have turned him into a Cristiano Ronaldo super fan that gained his own stardom as a result, now travelling the globe doing real-life entertainment streams and amassing millions of followers.
Over 100 million followers, to be exact. Speed continues to focus his efforts into YouTube, which is by far his biggest platform with 36 million subscribers, whilst still live streaming content on Twitch.
Going viral helped to win a Streamy Award for Breakout Streamer when his popularity first boomed. It also presented the added bonus of a boom in personal wealth.
A music career would also help with this, with songs such as ‘Shake’ and ‘World Cup’ contributing to his earnings. From his various exploits, the grand net worth proposed to the man himself at Complex Con last November was $10m (£7.9m).
“If you put 100 million followers across all socials together, what do you get? So do the math on it. Pretty much, what I can say,” was Speed’s response.
Pressed if the figure was accurate, he gave long consideration before replying: “In between.”
Though even with wealth at such a young age, he has not been relaxed with it. “I don’t do that, but it’s a good feeling,” he said of having enough money to wake up and buy whatever he wanted.
However, fame has not come without multiple controversies for the young streamer.
In the past he has been banned from platforms like Twitch and Valorant for crude and misogynistic remarks – these resurfacing also caused Sky Sports to end their relationship in 2022.
Whilst live he has been swatted by armed police and perhaps his most viral incident happened when extensive damage was caused to his bedroom after setting off fireworks indoors, with cameras surviving the whole ordeal.
A real-life stream when visiting Oslo, Norway, resulted in the formation of such a huge crowd of followers that he ended up trapped inside a shop, only managing to escape whilst being harassed.
To top it all off, he even made his way into Manchester United‘s FA Cup final-winning celebrations last year for families, friends and staff of the club.
He also opened up about his dramatic deterioration in health in 2023, which saw his face swell amid thoughts off jumping off a building. His health crisis saw him rushed to hospital and claims he “almost died” battling a potentially deadly infection.
Some of these escapades may have cost Watkins Jr. some amount of reputation and brand deals, though it has hardly stunted his growth or friendships across the injury.
Being close with The Sidemen he was invited to 2023’s charity match event, now he will be returning in hope of bagging a first-ever goal.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
