:IShowSpeed

{{Short description|American YouTuber (born 2005)}}

{{Protection padlock|blp|small=yes}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox YouTube personality

| name = IShowSpeed

| image = IShowSpeed at Chinatown (Portrait) 04.jpg

| caption = Watkins at Chinatown, Singapore in 2024

| other_names = Speed

| birth_name = Darren Jason Watkins Jr.

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2005|01|21}}

| birth_place = Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.

| occupation = {{flatlist|

}}

| years_active = 2016–present

| signature = IShowSpeed Signature.svg

| channel_handle = IShowSpeed

| subscribers = 39.6 million

| views = 4.3 billion

| silver_button = yes

| silver_year = 2021

| gold_button = yes

| gold_year = 2021

| diamond_button = yes

| diamond_year = 2022

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

| stats_update = May 19, 2025

| module = {{Infobox Twitch streamer|subbox=yes

| channel_name = IShowSpeed

| years_active = 2018–2021

| followers = 398k

| genre = Gaming

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| label = Warner

| website = {{URL|https://speed.store|IShowSpeed Merchandise}}

}}

}}

}}

Darren Jason Watkins Jr. (born January 21, 2005), known online as IShowSpeed or Speed, is an American YouTuber, online personality and online streamer. He is known for his dramatic and energetic behavior showcased in his variety live streams, as well as his in-real-life (IRL) streams in worldwide locations. He has been viewed as a cultural ambassador as his visits to countries often showcase their cultures and inventions to both domestic and international audiences.{{Cite news |date=January 3, 2024 |title=American YouTube star IShowSpeed woos US consumers with futuristic China tech |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/american-youtube-star-ishowspeed-woos-us-consumers-with-futuristic-china-tech |access-date=April 13, 2025 |work=The Straits Times}}

IShowSpeed registered his YouTube channel in 2016, where he began posting gaming content. He started gaining online attention in 2021 due to his provocative and energetic behavior such as barking and raging while gaming. He became a millionaire at age 16 and his first major purchase was a house for his mother.{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Samantha Dorisca |date=December 2, 2024 |title=Streamer IShowSpeed Became A Millionaire At 16 Years Old And His First Major Purchase Was A House For His Mom|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/streamer-ishowspeed-became-millionaire-16-214304623.html |access-date=May 5, 2025 |website=MARCA}} In 2022, he began shifting focus towards soccer-related content, becoming an avid supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo, commonly revolving his content around his support for the football player.{{Cite web |last=Gil |first=Mario Blázquez |date=March 30, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed buys its first supercar featuring CR7 |url=https://www.marca.com/en/technology/gaming/2024/03/30/66086804268e3e40328b4573.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816041631/https://www.marca.com/en/technology/gaming/2024/03/30/66086804268e3e40328b4573.html |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=MARCA}}{{Cite web |last=Bayliss |first=Jake |date=June 15, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed's wild life – fireworks in house, e-dating scandal, Ronaldo obsession |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ishowspeed-life-cristiano-ronaldo-youtube-32997828 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=The Mirror|archive-date=September 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921134051/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ishowspeed-life-cristiano-ronaldo-youtube-32997828 |url-status=live }}

IShowSpeed has also pursued a rapping career. He signed with Warner Records to release his 2022 single "World Cup", which charted in several countries. He was named Breakout Streamer of the Year at the 12th Streamy Awards in 2022,{{Cite web |last=Escandon |first=Rosa |date=October 27, 2022 |title=YouTube's Streamy Awards Announce 2022 Noms |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rosaescandon/2022/10/27/youtubes-streamy-awards-announce-2022-noms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307182659/https://www.forbes.com/sites/rosaescandon/2022/10/27/youtubes-streamy-awards-announce-2022-noms/ |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Forbes}}{{Cite web |last=Truder |first=Morgan |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed Take Home Major Awards at Youtube Streamys |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/2022-streamys-winners/ |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=VideoGamer.com |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207194400/https://www.videogamer.com/news/2022-streamys-winners/ |url-status=live}} and Streamer of the Year at the 2024 Streamer Awards.{{Cite web |last=Brigstock |first=Jake |date=December 8, 2024 |title=Streamer Awards 2024: IShowSpeed named streamer of the year |url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/streamer-awards-2024-ishowspeed-kai-cenat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120160845/https://www.indy100.com/viral/streamer-awards-2024-ishowspeed-kai-cenat |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Indy100}} IShowSpeed is considered one of the most popular online streamers and Internet personalities in the world.{{Cite web |last=Dmytro |first=Murko |date=September 20, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed has become Top 1 English-speaking streamer of all time |url=https://streamscharts.com/news/ishowspeed-most-popular-english-language-streamer |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=Streams Charts}}{{Cite web |last=Laura |first=Ceci |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Leading streamers worldwide across major streaming platforms in June 2024, by average viewers |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1482635/top-streamers-by-average-viewers/ |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=Statista}}{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2024 |title=Mobbed in Norway, A Guest on Club Shay Shay, How Is IShowSpeed, 19, One Of the World's Biggest Streaming Stars? |url=https://www.theroot.com/mobbed-in-norway-a-guest-on-club-shay-shay-19-year-ol-1851729868 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |website=The Root |language=en}}

Early life

Darren Jason Watkins Jr.{{Cite web |last=Mathur |first=Moulik |date=October 18, 2023 |title=IShowSpeed India Trip: Here Is Everything From Meeting McStan, Daler Mehndi, Arguing With Messi Fans, Cricket, More |url=https://in.ign.com/india/196240/news/ishowspeed-india-trip-here-is-everything-from-meeting-mcstan-daler-mehndi-arguing-with-messi-fans-cr |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=IGN India |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020090205/https://in.ign.com/india/196240/news/ishowspeed-india-trip-here-is-everything-from-meeting-mcstan-daler-mehndi-arguing-with-messi-fans-cr |url-status=live }} was born on January 21, 2005, in Cincinnati, Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Brigstock |first=Jake |date=June 3, 2024 |title=Who is IShowSpeed and how did he get so popular? |url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/who-is-ishowspeed-streamer-youtube |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Indy100}} He graduated in 2023 {{failed verification span|text=from Ohio Digital Learning School in Maumee.|date=April 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Even After Failing Almost All His Classes, Notorious Streamer iShowSpeed Flips The World Upside Down During His High-School Graduation |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/esports-news-even-after-failing-almost-all-his-classes-notorious-streamer-ishowspeed-flips-the-world-upside-down-during-his-high-school-graduation/ |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=EssentiallySports|date=June 13, 2023 }}

Watkins created his YouTube account in 2016, uploading gameplay videos occasionally.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2022 |title=YouTube Streamer With 6.9M Followers Banned After Valorant Tirade Clip Surfaces |url=https://kotaku.com/youtuber-streamer-ishowspeed-ban-valorant-riot-keemstar-1848764368 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407222306/https://kotaku.com/youtuber-streamer-ishowspeed-ban-valorant-riot-keemstar-1848764368 |url-status=live }} Around December 2017, Watkins began livestreaming and uploading videos of games such as NBA 2K and occasionally Fortnite, averaging two viewers per livestream.{{Cite web |last=Tsiaoussidis |first=Alex |date=August 2, 2022 |title=No slowing down: IShowSpeed is fastest growing streamer on YouTube right now |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-fastest-growing-streamer-on-youtube-right-now |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818144818/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-fastest-growing-streamer-on-youtube-right-now |url-status=live }}

Career

= 2021: Early career and Twitch ban =

Watkins became prominent after his fanbase began posting clips on TikTok of his often-violent behavior during live streams towards games, players, and his camera, which gained popularity and became memes. His outbursts have resulted in bans from the streaming platform Twitch and the video game Valorant.{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Christian |date=April 7, 2022 |title=YouTuber IShowSpeed banned from VALORANT, all Riot games following viral sexist rant |url=https://dotesports.com/news/youtuber-ishowspeed-banned-from-valorant-all-riot-games-viral-rant |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409055726/https://dotesports.com/news/youtuber-ishowspeed-banned-from-valorant-all-riot-games-viral-rant |url-status=live }} Kotaku described Watkins as "one of the biggest and fastest-rising streamers" on YouTube. A game that had contributed to his growth in popularity was Talking Ben. Watkins' videos on Talking Ben the Dog were credited by Lifehacker for bringing the mobile app newfound popularity, with it becoming the best-selling game on the App Store in April 2022, over a decade after its initial release.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Stephen |date=April 8, 2022 |title=The Out-of-Touch Adults' Guide to Kid Culture: What Is 'The Ick'? |url=https://lifehacker.com/the-out-of-touch-adults-guide-to-kid-culture-what-is-t-1848767322 |access-date=April 17, 2022 |website=Lifehacker |publisher=G/O Media |language=en-us |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118021153/https://lifehacker.com/the-out-of-touch-adults-guide-to-kid-culture-what-is-t-1848767322 |url-status=live }}File:IShowSpeed November 2021 (52502829419).jpg

In April 2021, Watkins's YouTube channel reached 100,000 subscribers. Two months later, his channel reached 1 million subscribers. In December 2021, Watkins took part in a Twitch "e-dating" livestream show hosted by Adin Ross. The exchange between Watkins and another participant, Ash Kash, escalated to what was widely interpreted as a rape threat. Watkins was the first contestant to be eliminated, and shortly after the game had ended, he quickly rejoined the Discord call. He started harassing Kash through offensive remarks. Watkins was then kicked out of the call, with Ross apologizing to Kash for his behavior. Watkins was later banned from Twitch for "sexual coercion or intimidation."{{Cite news |last=Press-Reynolds |first=Kieran |title=Twitch reportedly bans streamer after he said an influencer couldn't 'stop' him from reproducing with her if they were the last people on Earth |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ishowspeed-youtuber-twitch-streamer-adin-ross-banned-sexual-coercion-intimidation-2021-12 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Business Insider}} Watkins' Twitch account would not be unbanned until October 2023, though he would continue to stream on YouTube and would appear on Twitch sporadically on other content creators' streams.{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Twitch reinstates the account of iShowSpeed, ending a ban that lasted nearly two years |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/11/twitch-unban-i-show-speed-streamer-darren-watkins/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628143805/https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/10/11/twitch-unban-i-show-speed-streamer-darren-watkins/ |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |website=Tubefilter}}

= 2022–2023: Initial popularity and various controversies =

In April 2022, a clip of Watkins playing Valorant on a live stream surfaced. In the clip, he tells a female player: "Get off the fucking game and do your husband's dishes." This resulted in one of the game's producers, Sara Dadafshar, permanently banning Watkins from Valorant and all other Riot Games titles.{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Streamer IShowSpeed banned from every Riot Games title after sexist tirade |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/streamer-ishowspeed-banned-from-every-riot-games-title-after-sexist-tirade-3201237 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=NME |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409055727/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/streamer-ishowspeed-banned-from-every-riot-games-title-after-sexist-tirade-3201237 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2022 |title=IShowSpeed banned from all Riot Games for sexist abuse |url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/16918/ishowspeed-banned-from-all-riot-games-for-sexist-abuse-of-female-team-mate |work=invenglobal.com |access-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005232817/https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/16918/ishowspeed-banned-from-all-riot-games-for-sexist-abuse-of-female-team-mate |url-status=live }} YouTube's global head of gaming creators, Lester Chen, replied to the clip, saying he was "on it." Watkins soon apologized for his behavior, acknowledged that it was "wrong", and claimed that he was receiving racist comments from other players that day.{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=A gaming YouTuber with 7 million subscribers apologized for screaming 'go do your husband's dishes' at a female player |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ishowspeed-valorant-darren-watkins-apologizes-comments-female-streamer-youtube-2022-4 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Business Insider}}

On July 4, 2022, during American Independence Day, Watkins set off a Pikachu firework inside his bedroom, almost burning it down, which attracted media attention.{{Cite web |title= US Streamer nearly sets rooms on fire after lighting Pikachu firework during Live-Stream video |url= https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2022/07/07/us-streamer-nearly-sets-rooms-on-fire-after-lighting-pikachu-firework-during-live-stream-video/16217 |access-date= November 27, 2024 |work= malaymail.com |date= July 7, 2022 |archive-date= October 15, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221015020351/https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2022/07/07/us-streamer-nearly-sets-rooms-on-fire-after-lighting-pikachu-firework-during-live-stream-video/16217 |url-status= live }}{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2022 |title=YouTuber Speed sets off fireworks in his room during insane 4th of July stream |work=HITC |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/07/05/speed-youtube-fireworks/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018090021/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/07/05/speed-youtube-fireworks/ |archive-date=October 18, 2022 }} He hit 10 million subscribers on YouTube during this month. Later in July 2022, Watkins received a community guidelines strike as well as a one-week ban on YouTube after livestreaming his character being fellated in a sexual Minecraft mod named "Jenny's Mod" to 96,000 live viewers as well as the options "Blowjob", "Sex", and "Strip" displayed on screen. He selected the "Blowjob" option. Initially, he censored the screen as it was happening, but he kept changing it from censored to uncensored. Eventually, he left the screen uncensored, and his character was seen expressing sexual activity. Watkins later confirmed the strike and purported that he may not return to YouTube, but did.{{Cite web |last=Cheong |first=Charissa |title=A YouTuber with 10 million subscribers is embroiled in controversy after footage of him simulating a sex act while playing Minecraft went viral |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ishowspeed-explicit-minecraft-video-ends-in-youtube-suspension-2022-7 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=July 22, 2022 |title='I'm banned': IShowSpeed says goodbye after controversial YouTube stream |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/im-banned-ishowspeed-says-goodbye-after-controversial-youtube-stream |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324165607/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/im-banned-ishowspeed-says-goodbye-after-controversial-youtube-stream |url-status=live }}

In August 2022, he was swatted while livestreaming on YouTube. Officers handcuffed Watkins, and his cameraman was forced to end the stream.{{Cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |title=Twitch streamers traumatized after four 'swattings' in a week |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/08/15/keffals-adin-ross-ishowspeed-swatting-twitch-youtube/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816030937/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/08/15/keffals-adin-ross-ishowspeed-swatting-twitch-youtube/ |url-status=live }} Watkins claimed that he had been placed in jail and that Adin Ross had to bail him out, allowing him to return to streaming on August 11.{{Cite web |last=Tsiaoussidis |first=Alex |date=August 12, 2022 |title=IShowSpeed claims police put him in jail after YouTube swatting and Adin Ross had to bail him out |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-claims-police-jail-youtube-swatting-adin-ross-bail-out |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007084920/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-claims-police-jail-youtube-swatting-adin-ross-bail-out |url-status=live }} In September 2022, Watkins played in the Sidemen Charity Match.{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Owen Slot, Chief Sports |date=September 30, 2022 |title=Chunkz, Pieface, and a YouTube-inspired sporting apocalypse |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/chunkz-pieface-and-a-youtube-inspired-sporting-apocalypse-2sk805tl2?region=global |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=The Times}} A clip of him went viral in which he became frustrated at English referee Mark Clattenburg for disallowing his goal to be offside, and in response, Watkins proceeded to whip him with the shirt he removed while celebrating, which resulted in him receiving a yellow card.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Harry |date=September 26, 2022 |title=Top highlights from the Sidemen Charity football match |url=https://www.indy100.com/sport/sidemen-charity-football-match-highlights |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Indy100 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240627041151/https://www.indy100.com/sport/sidemen-charity-football-match-highlights |url-status=live |archive-date=June 27, 2024}}

In November 2022, Sky Sports announced that they would stop featuring him on their platform after the emergence of past misogynist and derogatory comments made by Watkins. The platform also removed all content featuring Watkins.{{Cite news |last=Humayun |first=Ali |title=Sky Sports won't feature IShowSpeed on air again after misogynistic comments emerge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3894627/2022/11/14/sky-sports-ishowspeed-videos/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=November 15, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |author1=Joshua Wolens |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Banned Valorant streamer yanked from football broadcasts after misogynistic video resurfaces |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/banned-valorant-streamer-yanked-from-football-broadcasts-after-misogynistic-video-resurfaces/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=PC Gamer |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126195210/https://www.pcgamer.com/banned-valorant-streamer-yanked-from-football-broadcasts-after-misogynistic-video-resurfaces/ |url-status=live }} On November 16, he garnered controversy for allegedly doing a 'pump and dump scheme' cryptocurrency scam after he started a livestream promoting The Paradox Metaverse, an action-adventure game awarding players Paradox Coin.{{Cite web |last=Polhamus |first=Blaine |date=November 17, 2022 |title=What is the iShowSpeed crypto controversy about? |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-paradox-metaverse-crypto-scam-controversy |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110045937/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-paradox-metaverse-crypto-scam-controversy |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Tsiaoussidis |first=Alex |date=November 17, 2022 |title=iShowSpeed's fans are calling him out for promoting an alleged crypto 'scam' and he's not happy |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeeds-fans-calling-him-out-promoting-alleged-crypto-scam-not-happy |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120012859/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeeds-fans-calling-him-out-promoting-alleged-crypto-scam-not-happy |url-status=live }} The next day, he went live to address the controversy and apologized, saying "I do so much stuff for y'all, I made a mistake. I'm not that smart, I'ma be honest, I made a mistake that I wish I never did but I'm not a scammer."{{Cite web |last=Geddes |first=George |date=November 17, 2022 |title='I made a mistake': iShowSpeed responds following crypto promotion drama |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/i-made-a-mistake-ishowspeed-responds-following-crypto-promotion-drama |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Dot Esports}}

In December 2022, he won the Streamy Award in the "Breakout Streamer" category during the 12th Streamy Awards.{{Cite web |last=Truder |first=Morgan |date=December 5, 2022 |title=Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed Take Home Major Awards at Youtube Streamys |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/2022-streamys-winners/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=VideoGamer |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207194400/https://www.videogamer.com/news/2022-streamys-winners/ |url-status=live }} That same month, during the round of 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland, Watkins garnered controversy for his behavior toward a Chinese spectator of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which was interpreted by many as racist. During a live stream, he approached a man wearing an Argentina jersey to question him. Visibly confused, the man specified that he did not speak English, which prompted Watkins to start repeatedly hurling "Konnichiwa", a Japanese greeting, and start uttering sounds reminiscent of Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese. When a clip of the live stream started circulating online, he uploaded an apology video to his Twitter account.{{Cite web |last=Tsiaoussidis |first=Alex |date=December 7, 2022 |title=IShowSpeed responds to racism allegations after star's World Cup fan video goes viral |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-responds-to-racism-allegations-after-viral-world-cup-clip |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dot Esports |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210180410/https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-responds-to-racism-allegations-after-viral-world-cup-clip |url-status=live }}

In May 2023, Watkins announced he had signed an exclusive streaming deal with the video-sharing platform Rumble, in collaboration with Kai Cenat.{{Cite web |last1=Rahman |first1=Shaukmat |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed Announce Exclusive Livestream Show on Rumble |url=https://gamerant.com/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-exclusive-livestream-show-rumble/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618102900/https://gamerant.com/kai-cenat-ishowspeed-exclusive-livestream-show-rumble/ |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=GameRant}} A month later, after many attempts, Watkins met Cristiano Ronaldo in the carpark of Estádio da Luz in Lisbon after Portugal's 3–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{Cite web |title=YouTuber IShowSpeed Goes Berserk After Meeting Cristiano Ronaldo. Watch {{!}} Football News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/youtuber-ishowspeed-goes-berserk-after-meeting-cristiano-ronaldo-watch-4130741 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=NDTVSports.com|archive-date=May 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525164303/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/youtuber-ishowspeed-goes-berserk-after-meeting-cristiano-ronaldo-watch-4130741 |url-status=live }}

In August 2023, he hit 20 million subscribers on his YouTube account.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Harry |date=August 27, 2023 |title=IShowSpeed dives into camera and crashes stream to mark 20 million subscribers |url=https://www.indy100.com/tiktok/ishowspeed-dives-camera-subscribers |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=Indy100|archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627041533/https://www.indy100.com/tiktok/ishowspeed-dives-camera-subscribers |url-status=live }} On August 16, during a livestream, Watkins jumped up from his seat due to being jumpscared while playing Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach and accidentally flashed his penis to a live viewership of 25,000 people.{{Cite web|title='IShowMeat' Trending After IShowSpeed Accidentally Exposes Himself on YouTube Stream|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jose-martinez/ishowspeed-exposes-himself-youtube-stream-ishowmeat-trending|first=Jose|last=Martinez|date=August 16, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=August 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817000540/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jose-martinez/ishowspeed-exposes-himself-youtube-stream-ishowmeat-trending|url-status=live}} He subsequently ended and deleted the livestream. Viewers uploaded the clip of the incident onto social media, and the term "IShowMeat", in reference to the slang word meat, meaning penis, began trending on Reddit and X (Twitter).{{Cite web |last=Pathak |first=Trisha |title=American YouTuber IShowSpeed accidently flashes his privates on live stream |url= https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/american-youtuber-ishowspeed-accidently-flashes-himself-on-live-stream-626361 |access-date=August 18, 2023 |website=WION |date=August 17, 2023 |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817211039/https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/american-youtuber-ishowspeed-accidently-flashes-himself-on-live-stream-626361 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|title=IShowSpeed accidentally flashes viewers during bizarre Five Nights at Freddy's freakout|url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/ishowspeed-accidentally-flashes-viewers-bizarre-five-nights-at-freddys-freakout|first=Cedric|last=Pabriga|date=August 17, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023|website=Dot Esports|language=en}} YouTube declined to strike his channel or ban him from the platform due to the accidental nature of the incident.{{Cite web|title=IShowSpeed Avoids YouTube Ban After Accidentally Exposing Himself During Stream|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/alex-ocho/ishowspeed-avoids-youtube-ban-after-accidentally-exposing|first=Alex|last=Ocho|date=August 17, 2023|access-date=August 17, 2023|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=August 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817220023/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/alex-ocho/ishowspeed-avoids-youtube-ban-after-accidentally-exposing|url-status=live}} Later in December 2023, Watkins fought KSI in a charity boxing sparring match after a year-long banter rivalry, raising money for the Anthony Walker Foundation.{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Jordan |date=December 6, 2023 |title=KSI makes IShowSpeed announcement that may impact Jake Paul's latest boxing fight |url=https://talksport.com/sport/1667937/ksi-ishowspeed-announcement-clash-jake-paul-fight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206172613/https://talksport.com/sport/1667937/ksi-ishowspeed-announcement-clash-jake-paul-fight/ |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=TalkSport}}

= 2024–present: Travel content, streamer of the year and continued growth =

File:IShowSpeed_in_Chinatown,_Singapore.webm, Singapore during his Southeast Asia tour in September 2024]]

On February 23, 2024, Watkins participated in "Match for Hope 2024", a soccer charity match hosted in Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Qatar, where he played for Team Chunkz.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2024 |title=VIDEO {{!}} Match For Hope 2024 Highlights: Team Chunx vs Team AboFlah |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles-video/video-match-for-hope-2024-highlights-team-chunx-vs-team-aboflah-2024-02-23 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=BeIN Sports}} A clip of him went viral in which he slide tackled Brazilian former footballer Kaká.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2024 |title=Kaka obliterated by tackle from streamer in charity match |url=https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2024/02/23/kaka-ishowspeed-tackle-match-for-hope-charity-game/ |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=Pro Soccer Wire |language=en-US}}

Watkins appeared on Night 2 of WWE's WrestleMania XL on April 7, 2024. He was dressed as a bottle of Prime for the WWE United States Championship match between champion Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, and Randy Orton, where he was kicked by Orton and RKOed onto the commentators' table.{{cite news |last1=Crowley |first1=Liam |date=April 7, 2024 |title=Logan Paul Defeats Randy Orton, Kevin Owens With Help From iShowSpeed at WWE WrestleMania 40 |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/logan-paul-randy-orton-kevin-owens-ishowspeed-wwe-wrestlemania-40/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408012051/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/logan-paul-randy-orton-kevin-owens-ishowspeed-wwe-wrestlemania-40/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 7, 2024 |work=ComicBook.com}} Watkins would later appear on the April 29 episode of Raw to announce the Raw brand's second-round picks for Night 2 of the 2024 WWE Draft; Paul announced the second round picks for SmackDown.{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2024 |title=WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Night 2 of WWE Draft 2024, Will Braun Strowman Return? |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-wwe-draft-2024-night-2-braun-strowman |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=SI}}

On May 29, 2024, Watkins attended the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake in Gloucestershire, England, during which he suffered a leg injury, which he claimed required hospitalization.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Harriet & PA Media |title=YouTuber IShowSpeed goes to hospital after cheese rolling race |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgg2z0m5k9o |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=BBC News |date=May 27, 2024 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625132842/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgg2z0m5k9o |url-status=live }} In June and July 2024, during the UEFA Euro 2024, Watkins toured Europe, reaching 25 million subscribers on June 2.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97utgzT9II |title=25 million....... |date=June 2, 2024 |last=IShowSpeed |access-date=July 19, 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731075653/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97utgzT9II |url-status=live }} On July 3, Watkins visited Norway, where he streamed in a souvenir store. While interacting with a large gathering of fans from a second story window, he injured his ankle. Upon being escorted out by a bodyguard, Watkins was attacked by the crowd,{{Cite web |date=July 3, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed attacked by Norwegian crowd as he vows never to return |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-attacked-by-norwegian-crowd-as-he-vows-never-to-return-2807592/ |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=Dexerto|archive-date=July 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703230849/https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-attacked-by-norwegian-crowd-as-he-vows-never-to-return-2807592/ |url-status=live }} and would be hospitalized.{{cite news |last1=Dahl |first1=Ingvill Dybfest |title=Fullt kaos da youtuber strømmet direkte – nå er han fraktet bort |url=https://www.nrk.no/norge/youtuber-ishowspeed-gar-live-i-norge-1.16951589 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=NRK |date=July 3, 2024 |archive-date=July 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703223901/https://www.nrk.no/norge/youtuber-ishowspeed-gar-live-i-norge-1.16951589 |url-status=live }} Watkins' tour of Europe received over 2.5 billion views across multiple social media platforms.{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed concludes European stream tour with over 2.5 billion views |url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/20240723/695767/ishowspeed-concludes-european-stream-tour-with-over-2-5-billion-views.html |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=Mundo Deportivo USA}}

Watkins is a supporter of Palestine, a critic of Israel, and has regularly shouted “Free Palestine!” on his gaming livestreams. In June 2024, he donated $50,000 to the Palestine Relief Fund.{{cite news |title=Youtuber iShowSpeed donates $50,000 to Palestine Relief |url=https://en.royanews.tv/news/52040 |work=Roya TV |date=June 13, 2024}}

On August 3, 2024, Watkins performed a live-streamed stunt where he jumped over two speeding luxury cars in Miami. The stream was then deleted on August 5, due to violating YouTube's Terms of Service.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed stuns viewers by jumping over speeding Lamborghini and McLaren back-to-back |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-stuns-viewers-by-jumping-over-speeding-lamborghini-and-mclaren-back-to-back-2849722/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Dexerto |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806043810/https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-stuns-viewers-by-jumping-over-speeding-lamborghini-and-mclaren-back-to-back-2849722/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed takes streaming to new heights with daring car jumps |url=https://rollingout.com/2024/08/05/ishowspeed-takes-streaming-to-new-height/ |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=rollingout.com |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806043810/https://rollingout.com/2024/08/05/ishowspeed-takes-streaming-to-new-height/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2024 |title=US Youtuber IShowSpeed Leaps Over Two Speeding Luxury Cars In Viral Video— Is It Real? |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/us-youtuber-ishowspeed-leaps-over-two-speeding-luxury-cars-in-viral-video-is-it-real-article-112261635 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=Times Now |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806043810/https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/us-youtuber-ishowspeed-leaps-over-two-speeding-luxury-cars-in-viral-video-is-it-real-article-112261635 |url-status=live}} In September 2024, Watkins toured Southeast Asia, visiting seven countries.{{Cite web |last=Murko |first=Dmytro |date=October 2, 2024 |title=Even bigger than in Europe — IShowSpeed takes Southeast Asia by storm and becomes world's top English-speaking streamer |url=https://streamscharts.com/news/ishowspeed-asia-tour-recap |website=Streamscharts}} While on tour, he surpassed 30 million subscribers and accumulated a total of 110 million views for the duration of the trip. One of Watkins' livestreams, titled "IRL Stream in Indonesia", marked the first time an English-speaking streamer has received one million concurrent viewers in a livestream.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed finishes Southeast Asia tour with absurd viewership stats |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-finishes-southeast-asia-tour-with-absurd-viewership-stats-2912706/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Dexerto |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112234313/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-finishes-southeast-asia-tour-with-absurd-viewership-stats-2912706/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gutelle |first=Sam |date=September 19, 2024 |title=iShowSpeed got one million concurrent viewers in one of Asia's most creator-obsessed countries |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2024/09/19/i-show-speed-asia-tour-youtube-streaming-views-indonesia/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Tubefilter}}{{Cite web |last=Murko |first=Dmytro |date=September 20, 2024 |title=IShowSpeed has become Top 1 English-speaking streamer of all time |url=https://streamscharts.com/news/ishowspeed-most-popular-english-language-streamer |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=streamscharts}}

In November 2024, Watkins lost an exhibition 50 meter race against 2024 Summer Olympics men's 100 metres gold medalist Noah Lyles. The competition was refereed and organized by MrBeast.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=Jordan |title=Gold medalist Noah Lyles beats popular streamer IShowSpeed in 50m race |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/11/07/noah-lyles-streamer-ishowspeed-50m-race-100k/76111569007/ |access-date=November 8, 2024 |website=USA TODAY |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212210035/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/11/07/noah-lyles-streamer-ishowspeed-50m-race-100k/76111569007/ |url-status=live }} On November 22, Watkins began his tour of Australia and New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Chloe |date=November 22, 2024 |title='Excuse me': Famous American Youtuber IShowSpeed brutally rejected by Bondi beauty in live-streamed moment |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity-life/excuse-me-famous-american-youtuber-ishowspeed-brutally-rejected-by-bondi-beauty-in-livestreamed-moment/news-story/e165011c0017f36cf088ac9672463872 |access-date=November 29, 2024 |website=SkyNews Australia}} On November 26, It was announced that Watkins would be the president of the US version of Baller League, a six-a-side football league.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Baller League: KSI, Gary Lineker, Luis Figo & John Terry among names involved in new football league |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130090338/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3rx5ll9y3zo |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Stafford-Bloor |first2=Seb |title=What is Baller League, why are KSI and IShowSpeed involved and is it a game-changer? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5949002/2024/11/26/baller-league-explained-ksi-ishowspeed/ |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=November 26, 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Later that month, he was ranked first by Complex Networks in its list of "The 25 Best Streamers Right Now".{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2024 |title=The 25 Best Streamers on the Internet Right Now, Ranked |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/levi-winslow/best-internet-streamers-kick-rumble-twitch-youtube |access-date=November 29, 2024 |website=Complex Networks |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204180018/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/levi-winslow/best-internet-streamers-kick-rumble-twitch-youtube |url-status=live }}

In December 2024, Watkins was nominated for and won the "Get Off Your A** Award (Best IRL Streamer)", "Best International Streamer", and "Streamer of the Year" awards of the 2024 Streamer Awards.{{Cite magazine |last=DeSena |first=Gabby |date=December 8, 2024 |title=Recap: All 2024 Streamer Awards Winners |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/all-2024-streamer-awards-winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213101226/https://www.si.com/esports/news/all-2024-streamer-awards-winners |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Later that month he won the "Most Influential Soccer Creator" award of the GOAL Champions Awards.

File:IShowSpeed RR25.jpg in February 2025]]

On January 10, 2025, Watkins announced that he would be doing a tour in South America.{{Cite web|title=IShowSpeed's South America IRL Tour|last=Mahadevan|first=Tara|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/ishowspeed-announces-irl-streaming-tour-south-america|date=January 10, 2025|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=January 12, 2025|archive-date=February 4, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204180012/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/ishowspeed-announces-irl-streaming-tour-south-america|url-status=live}} On January 28, during his tour in Peru, he was declared an honorary mayor of Lima for an hour by Rafael López Aliaga, the city's mayor, who also declared him an "ambassador of Lima".{{Cite news|title=Rafael López Aliaga condecora al streamer estadounidense Speed y lo nombra embajador de Lima|url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/rafael-lopez-aliaga-condecora-al-streamer-estadounidense-speed-y-lo-nombra-embajador-de-lima-municipalidad-de-lima-palacio-municipal-ultimas-noticia/|work=El Comercio|language=es|date=January 28, 2025|archive-date=January 29, 2025|access-date=January 31, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129072812/https://elcomercio.pe/lima/rafael-lopez-aliaga-condecora-al-streamer-estadounidense-speed-y-lo-nombra-embajador-de-lima-municipalidad-de-lima-palacio-municipal-ultimas-noticia/|url-status=live}}

On February 1, 2025, Watkins appeared in WWE's Royal Rumble, when Akira Tozawa, the planned 8th entrant, was considered unable to compete in the match. Watkins substituted for Tozawa. Watkins managed to eliminate Otis with Bron Breakker but then got speared by Bron Breakker shortly after. Outside of the ring, Otis caught Watkins, but subsequently proceeded to throw him over the announcer's table — eliminating him.{{Cite web |title=WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Live Updates: Braun Strowman Eliminates Jacob Fatu, AJ Styles Returns |url=https://www.news18.com/sports/wwe-royal-rumble-2025-live-updates-road-to-wrestlemania-john-cena-cody-rhodes-lucas-oil-stadium-liveblog-9210956.html |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202161415/https://www.news18.com/sports/wwe-royal-rumble-2025-live-updates-road-to-wrestlemania-john-cena-cody-rhodes-lucas-oil-stadium-liveblog-9210956.html |url-status=live }} Watkins became the youngest Royal Rumble Entrant not to be signed to WWE at 20 years and 11 days old, which also made him the youngest ever Entrant beating René Duprée by 1 month and 1 day.

Later on February 14, 2025, Watkins participated in "Match for Hope 2025", a soccer charity event hosted in Stadium 974, Qatar, as a co-captain for team Chunkz & IShowSpeed, facing off against team AboFlah & KSI. The match ended with team AboFlah & KSI's 6–5 victory over team Chunkz & IShowSpeed. The event managed to raise more than $10.7 million for charity.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Jacob |date=February 14, 2025 |title=USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino coaches team Chunkz x IShowSpeed to narrow 6-5 loss vs. team KSI x AboFlah at Match For Hope charity game |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-boss-mauricio-pochettino-coaches-team-chunkz-x-ishowspeed-in-thrilling-6-5-loss-vs-team-ksi-x-aboflah-at-match-for-hope-charity-game/blt3fc2dbe393375935 |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=GOAL |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Maurer |first=Pablo |date=February 15, 2025 |title=USMNT manager Pochettino takes on legends, influencers in 'Match for Hope' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6137259/2025/02/14/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-match-for-hope-speed-iniesta/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215134013/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6137259/2025/02/14/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-match-for-hope-speed-iniesta/ |archive-date=February 15, 2025 |access-date=February 15, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

File:Ishowspeed first goal at sidemen charity match 2025.webm at the Wembley Stadium in March 2025]]

On March 5, 2025, Watkins was featured on CBS Sports Golazo's coverage of the UEFA Champions League.{{Cite web |last=Mcbride |first=Joseph|date=March 5, 2025 |title=iShowSpeed rips pants in crotch during sprint race with Jamie Carragher |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ishowspeed-rips-pants-crotch-during-235812095.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACuDvJwa-uuXE7uTsCtzDu0Wz7L5-T4wilgMCbP33exVnnUDhOi8wSHtCzhZm3DQSE4GIHJbR3eXHtsGd-bYtmkpDcQ4TqCE0p8kHl1GiVKuRn0U2Yi3opqkgksEKHTw3VyDwl4eyX2cZ8t5m4jbzI7RcWYEFZUrnj1UoLLYa1Up |access-date=March 5, 2025 |website=Yahoo Sports}} Later on March 8, 2025, Watkins participated in the 2025 Sidemen Charity Match, held at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom. Serving as both captain and player for the YouTube Allstars team, he scored his first goal in the charity match series in the 56th minute, having failed to score in his previous two appearances. Watkins later secured victory for the YouTube Allstars by converting the decisive penalty in a shoot-out.{{Cite news |last=Sheldon |first=Dan |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Sidemen versus YouTube Allstars: Eighteen goals, a shredded yellow card and penalties watched by 2.5m |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6186690/2025/03/08/sidemen-youtube-allstars-wembley/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310161139/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6186690/2025/03/08/sidemen-youtube-allstars-wembley/ |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=March 8, 2025 |title=Speed scores winning penalty as YouTube Allstars win Sidemen Charity Match |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/sidemen-charity-match-2025-speed-penalty-youtube-allstars-b1215504.html |access-date=March 10, 2025 |website=The Standard |language=en |archive-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308233734/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/sidemen-charity-match-2025-speed-penalty-youtube-allstars-b1215504.html |url-status=live }}

On March 18, 2025, Watkins announced that he would be doing a tour in mainland China and Mongolia.{{Cite web |last=Alston |first=Trey |date=March 19, 2025 |title=IShowSpeed Announces China Streaming Tour: 'Here I Come' |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/treyalston/ishowspeed-china-streaming-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401085802/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/treyalston/ishowspeed-china-streaming-tour |archive-date=April 1, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Complex |language=en}} During his tour, Chinese state media and Chinese netizens praised Watkins for "promoting positive relations between China and the United States".{{Cite web |last=Glaze |first=Virginia |date=March 28, 2025 |title=IShowSpeed praised by Chinese government as streams go viral |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-praised-by-chinese-government-as-streams-go-viral-3171467/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401082432/https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/ishowspeed-praised-by-chinese-government-as-streams-go-viral-3171467/ |archive-date=April 1, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Razdan |first=Khushboo |date=March 27, 2025 |title=China hails US YouTube star who gets 10 million views in Beijing, Shanghai |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304034/china-hails-us-youtube-star-who-racks-10-million-views-beijing-shanghai-streams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405052802/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3304034/china-hails-us-youtube-star-who-racks-10-million-views-beijing-shanghai-streams |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}} In contrast to his streams in mainland China, Watkins' stream in Hong Kong was chaotic due to overcrowding and harassment by local fans; his ride on the MTR led to fans causing damage to Tin Hau station.{{Cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Wynna |last2=Kong |first2=Harvey |last3=Mycroft |first3=Connor |date=April 4, 2025 |title=YouTube superstar IShowSpeed attracts crowds and chaos with his Hong Kong debut |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3305178/ishowspeed-hong-kong-youtube-star-meets-pandas-fans-flock-selfies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404043905/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3305178/ishowspeed-hong-kong-youtube-star-meets-pandas-fans-flock-selfies |archive-date=April 4, 2025 |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Music career

In August 2021, Watkins released his first single, "Dooty Booty", on his YouTube channel. Following its upload, the song quickly became popular on YouTube and other social media sites, such as TikTok.{{Cite web |last=Crates |first=Jake |date=August 26, 2021 |title=IShowSpeed - "Dooty Booty" |url=https://allhiphop.com/music/ishowspeed-dooty-booty/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=AllHipHop |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313105341/https://allhiphop.com/music/ishowspeed-dooty-booty/ |url-status=live }} In November, Watkins released a single titled "Shake", which sampled both "Ready or Not" by the Fugees as well as "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles. The song's accompanying music video received over 211 million views on YouTube.{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2022 |title=Is IShowSpeed The New King Of Content? |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-king-content-124500727.html |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007085555/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-king-content-124500727.html |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=IShowSpeed – Shake |url=https://genius.com/Ishowspeed-shake-lyrics |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528144643/https://genius.com/Ishowspeed-shake-lyrics |url-status=live }}

In June 2022, he released a song called "Ronaldo (Sewey)", following his newfound admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2022 |title=Ronaldo (SEWY) - Single by IShowSpeed on Apple Music |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ronaldo-sewy-single/1631399207 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126191408/https://music.apple.com/us/album/ronaldo-sewy-single/1631399207 |archive-date=November 26, 2022 }} In November 2022, he released a single titled "World Cup" under Warner Records in honor of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{Cite web |last=Bluetec |first=D. J. |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Cincinnati's IShowSpeed gears up for "World Cup" with new anthem |url=https://hiphopcanada.com/ishowspeed-world-cup-anthem-video/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=HipHopCanada.com |language=en-CA |archive-date=December 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218184518/https://hiphopcanada.com/ishowspeed-world-cup-anthem-video/ |url-status=live }} On July 7, 2023, Watkins was a surprise guest at the 2023 Rolling Loud festival in Portugal and performed "Shake", "World Cup" and "Portuginies" with the support of American rapper Ski Mask the Slump God and producer DJ Scheme.{{cite web |date=July 7, 2023 |title=IShowSpeed shocks crowd with performance at Rolling Loud |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-shocks-crowd-with-performance-at-rolling-loud-2204142/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715061242/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/ishowspeed-shocks-crowd-with-performance-at-rolling-loud-2204142/ |archive-date=July 15, 2023 |access-date=July 7, 2023 |website=Dexerto}}

In March 2024, Watkins released his first extended play Trip 2 Brazil.{{Citation |title=Trip 2 Brazil - EP by IShowSpeed on Apple Music |date=March 24, 2024 |url=https://music.apple.com/id/album/trip-2-brazil-ep/1737278818 |access-date=June 27, 2024}}

Discography

= Extended plays =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of EPs, with selected details

! scope="col" scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" scope="col";" |EP details

scope="row" |Trip 2 Brazil

|

  • Released: March 24, 2024{{cite web|title=Spotify – IShowSpeed – Trip 2 Brazil|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/48o3p2p88HTSaiH8lKpgZ3|date=March 24, 2024|accessdate=November 21, 2024|archive-date=November 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121234506/https://open.spotify.com/album/48o3p2p88HTSaiH8lKpgZ3|url-status=live}}
  • Label: Warner Records
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

= Singles =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year

! colspan="5" |Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | IRE
{{Cite web |title=Discography ishowspeed |url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=ishowspeed |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=irishcharts.com |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513072124/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=ishowspeed |url-status=live }}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NLD
Tip

{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st&date=20221126&year=2022 |title=Dutch Single Tip 26/11/2022 |website=dutchcharts.nl |language=nl |access-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104055650/https://dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=st&date=20221126&year=2022 |url-status=live }}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NZ
Hot

{{cite web |url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5447 |title=NZ Hot Singles Chart |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111225802/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5447 |url-status=live }}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | SWE
Heat.

{{cite web |url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2022&dspp=46 |title=Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 46 |publisher=Sverigetopplistan |access-date=November 19, 2022 |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118131854/https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2022&dspp=46 |url-status=live }}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | UK
{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/63711/ishowspeed/ |title=IShowSpeed {{!}} full Official Chart History |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=November 25, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202200025/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/63711/ishowspeed/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row" | "Dooty Booty"

| rowspan="2" | 2021

| — || — || — || — || —

| rowspan="10" {{Non-album singles}}

scope="row" | "Shake"

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "God Is Good"

| rowspan="3" | 2022

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "Ronaldo (Sewey)"

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "World Cup"{{Citation |title=World Cup by IShowSpeed on Apple Music |date=November 4, 2022 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/world-cup/1652161921?i=1652161923 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126124022/https://music.apple.com/us/album/world-cup/1652161921?i=1652161923 |url-status=live }}

|37 || 1 || 29 || 6 || 52

scope="row" | "Dogs"
{{small|(with Kai Cenat)}}{{Citation |title=Dogs - Single by IShowSpeed & Kai Cenat on Apple Music |date=April 27, 2023 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/dogs-single/1683425072 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428040244/https://music.apple.com/us/album/dogs-single/1683425072 |url-status=live }}

| rowspan="3" | 2023

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "Portuginies"{{Citation |title=IShowSpeed - Portuginies (Official Music Video) {Prod. Dj Scheme} | date=July 5, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIXMhnjbnxU |access-date=July 5, 2023}}

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "Come My Way"{{Citation |title=IShowSpeed - Come My Way 💔 Quero Você (Official Music) | date=December 28, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplYmm089I0 |access-date=December 28, 2023|archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102191647/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplYmm089I0 |url-status=live }}

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "Monkey"{{Citation |title=IShowSpeed - Monkey (Official Music Video) |date=March 21, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBqqz3hkXNs |access-date=March 21, 2024|archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321161616/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBqqz3hkXNs |url-status=live }}

| rowspan="2" | 2024

| — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" | "Amar de"
{{small|(with Kevin O Chris)}}{{Citation |title=IShowSpeed x MC Kevin O Chris - Amar de (Official Music Video) |date=March 22, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r3TkdiMtcw |access-date=March 22, 2024|archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322161104/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r3TkdiMtcw |url-status=live }}

| — || — || — || — || —

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ Film

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"| 2024

! scope="row" |The Sidemen Story

|Himself

|Documentary; Cameo

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Furvah |title=Sidemen's Netflix documentary: Release date, trailer, cast and more |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |website=Cosmopolitan |date=February 2, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206153343/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a46623709/sidemen-netflix-documentary-release-date-trailer-cast/ |url-status=live }}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ Television

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2024

| scope="row"| WrestleMania XL

| rowspan="4" | Himself

|Disguised as Prime bottle

|style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Jeremy |title=YouTuber IShowSpeed On How His WrestleMania 40 Appearance Happened |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ishowspeed-how-wrestlemania-40-appearance-happened/ |website=411mania |access-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230175121/https://411mania.com/wrestling/ishowspeed-how-wrestlemania-40-appearance-happened/ |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| WWE Monday Night RAW

|Series 32; episode 18

|style="text-align:center;"|

rowspan="2" scope="row"| 2025

| scope="row"| Royal Rumble:Indianapolis

|Entrant 8

|style="text-align:center;"| {{cite news|url=https://talksport.com/wrestling/2871819/wwe-ishowspeed-royal-rumble-stream-cristiano-ronaldo/ |title='Instant Karma' – ISHOWSPEED shows Logan Paul his Royal Rumble injury after 11-minute WWE stream earns 1million views|website=talksport.com|date=February 2, 2025}}

scope="row"| CBS Sports Golazo

|

|style="text-align:center;"|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin-right: 0;"

|+ List of music video appearances

! scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Artist(s)

! scope="col" | Role

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

rowspan="2" scope="row" | 2022

| "Let's Go"

| Tion Wayne feat. Aitch

| rowspan="3" | Himself

| align="center" | {{Cite web |title=Tion Wayne & Aitch Head To The Golf Course For "Let's Go"... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/ezra-olaoyo/tion-wayne-aitch-lets-go |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Complex |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204150634/https://www.complex.com/music/a/ezra-olaoyo/tion-wayne-aitch-lets-go |url-status=live }}

"Don't Lie"

| A1 x J1 feat. Nemzzz

| style="text-align:center;"|{{Cite web |title=A1 x J1 - Don't Lie (Official Video) ft. Nemzzz |date=October 14, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T91yz8kMy8 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |via=YouTube |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317045900/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T91yz8kMy8 |url-status=live }}

scope="row"| 2024

| "Where Do I Go"

| Vikkstar, Nicky Romero, Alpharock and Oaks

| style="text-align:center;"|{{cite web|title=Vikkstar x Nicky Romero x Alpharock x Oaks - Where Do I Go [Music Video]| date=November 8, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvUrKWPMQYc|access-date=7 May 2025|via=YouTube}}

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ Awards and nominations for IShowSpeed

! Year

! Ceremony

! Category

! Result

! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2022

| rowspan="4" | Streamy Awards

| Streamer of the Year

| {{Nominated}}

| rowspan="2" | {{Cite web |title=12th Annual Streamy Nominees |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=The Streamy Awards |archive-date=August 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828055513/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/12th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}

Breakout Streamer

| {{Won}}

scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2023

| Streamer of the Year

| {{Nominated}}

| rowspan="2" | {{Cite web |title=13th Annual Streamy Winners |url=https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=The Streamy Awards|archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901233930/https://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/13th-annual-nominees/ |url-status=live }}

Variety Streamer

| {{Won}}

rowspan="4" scope="row" | 2024

| rowspan="3" |The Streamer Awards

|Get Off Your A** Award (Best IRL Streamer)

|{{won}}

| rowspan="3" |

Best International Streamer

|{{won}}

Streamer of the Year

|{{won}}

GOAL Champions Awards

|Most Influential Soccer Creator

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Soccer Creator |url=https://www.goal.com/goalchampions/most-influentia-soccer-creator |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=GOAL Champions |language=en-GB |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221065604/https://www.goal.com/goalchampions/most-influentia-soccer-creator |url-status=live }}

References

{{reflist}}