American streamer and YouTube star IShowSpeed had his livestream at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) abruptly shut down after 30 minutes. The 19-year-old internet celebrity, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr, went live at USS at about 3:45 pm on 22 September.
Background
IShowSpeed, clad in a blue Singapore football jersey, was seen walking through USS, interacting with fans and attractions. However, his stream went dark after he entered the Transformers ride, and it remained offline for about 40 minutes before ending abruptly. A video taken by a fan moments before the stream went dark showed a man gesturing that no cameras were allowed on the ride. IShowSpeed’s cameraman later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Singapore is very strict and that they were told they could film in certain spots but were shut down immediately. Users on X speculated that the streamer did not have a permit to film.
‘No permits for rides’: JianHao Tan
Singaporean YouTuber Jianhao Tan, who assisted IShowSpeed’s team with arrangements in Singapore, shared his perspective on Instagram the same night. Tan mentioned that he was helping with transport, security, and logistics for the streamer’s visit but noted, “there are some things I can’t control.”
Fans’ reactions and speculations
Fans quickly took to social media to discuss the incident. Many speculated that the lack of a filming permit was the primary reason for the abrupt end of the livestream. Some fans expressed disappointment, while others understood the strict regulations in place at USS.
Future plans and implications
Despite the setback at USS, IShowSpeed’s team indicated plans to film at the F1 event in Singapore. However, they mentioned that they would not be able to stream the event live to avoid risking a ban. This incident highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to local regulations, especially for international content creators.
The abrupt end of IShowSpeed’s livestream serves as a reminder of the stringent rules governing public filming in Singapore, and it underscores the challenges faced by content creators in navigating these regulations.
