Singapore fans of American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, or Speed for short, are eagerly anticipating his visit to the island as part of his Southeast Asian tour. The 19-year-old began his tour on 9 September, visiting the Philippines and meeting professional boxer Manny Pacquiao. He then travelled to Malaysia, visiting internet personality Uncle Roger’s fried rice restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, and later to Indonesia, where he had his biggest stream with over 14 million views. Although the exact dates of his Singapore visit are unknown, fans have joined a Telegram channel to “stream snipe” and determine his location during his stay.
Background
IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., rose to fame as a content creator playing video games like Fortnite. He has amassed over 30 million YouTube subscribers and is known for his energetic and often controversial streams. In 2022, he was banned from the shooting game Valorant after making sexist comments towards a female player, for which he later apologised. His Southeast Asian tour has already seen significant fan engagement, with large crowds gathering during his visits to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Anticipation in Singapore
As of 19 September, the “IShowSpeed Singapore” Telegram channel had 8,153 subscribers, with fans speculating about his arrival and potential activities in Singapore. Many believe he will be in town for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and the Gumball 3000 rally, where over 100 cars driven by celebrities will conclude a 3,000km journey from Vietnam in Singapore.
Fan Guidelines
Fans have laid out specific rules for interacting with Speed during his visit. These include giving way to Speed, not throwing objects at him, and refraining from touching him. One fan noted, “Not following these rules may cause some harm to you as his bodyguards will step in.”
Previous Tour Highlights
During his tour, Speed’s visit to the Philippines included a meeting with Manny Pacquiao, which garnered significant attention. In Malaysia, his visit to Uncle Roger’s fried rice restaurant in Kuala Lumpur was another highlight. His stream from Indonesia broke records with over 14 million views, showcasing his immense popularity in the region.
Future Implications
Speed’s visit to Singapore is expected to draw large crowds, similar to his previous stops. The anticipation and preparation by fans indicate the significant impact of his presence. His tour continues to highlight the influence of digital content creators in engaging and mobilising large audiences across different countries. Fans are eagerly waiting to see what surprises Speed has in store for his Singapore visit.
