Who Is IShowSpeed?
IShowSpeed is one of the most electrifying—and polarizing—content creators on the internet today.
At just 20 years old, he’s already been named Streamer of the Year at both the 2024 and 2025 Streamer Awards. He’s met Cristiano Ronaldo, appeared at WWE events, and amassed over 46 million YouTube subscribers.
But IShowSpeed’s rise to fame hasn’t been smooth. From accidental on-stream nudity to hospitalizations to fake death rumors, his career has been packed with drama.
Here’s everything you need to know about the streamer behind the chaos.
IShowSpeed Real Name
IShowSpeed’s real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
He was born on January 21, 2005, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and goes by “Speed” or “Darren” in real life.
The username “IShowSpeed” came from his gaming days, where he wanted to show off his quick reactions and fast gameplay. The name stuck, and now he’s known worldwide simply as “Speed.”
Where Is IShowSpeed From?
IShowSpeed is from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
He was born and raised in Cincinnati, where he still has family. His father, Darren Watkins Sr., occasionally appears in his streams, and he has younger siblings including a brother nicknamed “Dayday.”
In September 2025, during his “Speed Does America” tour, IShowSpeed met his biological sister for the first time on stream. She was a “secret” sister he never knew existed. When he found out, he confronted his father on stream, saying, “You ain’t tell me that you had another daughter! They just keep popping up, man.”
His father responded, “Daddy was getting busy back in the day, you know? In the early 2000s.”
IShowSpeed Age and Birthday
IShowSpeed is 20 years old as of December 2025.
He was born on January 21, 2005, making him an Aquarius.
Despite his young age, IShowSpeed has already achieved what many creators work decades for. He started his YouTube channel in 2016 when he was just 11 years old, but didn’t gain serious traction until 2021.
How Tall Is IShowSpeed?
IShowSpeed’s height is reported as 5’8″ (173 cm) by most sources.
Some sources claim he’s 5’11” or 6 feet tall, but the most credible information puts him around 5’8″.
Height doesn’t matter much in the streaming world, and Speed has built his brand on energy and personality rather than physical presence.
IShowSpeed Net Worth: How Rich Is He?
As of 2024-2025, IShowSpeed’s net worth is estimated between $10 million and $12 million.
Here’s how Speed makes his millions:
1. YouTube Ad Revenue
IShowSpeed has over 46 million subscribers on YouTube. His channel gets millions of views per month, generating massive ad revenue.
According to estimates, he earns between $75 to $200 per video from ads alone. With 8.43 million views per month, that adds up fast.
2. Brand Deals and Sponsorships
Speed reportedly earns up to $15,000 per sponsored post on social media.
He’s collaborated with major brands and has been featured in commercials and partnerships.
3. Music Career
IShowSpeed signed with Warner Records and released hit songs like:
- “World Cup” (2022) – His biggest hit, released for the FIFA World Cup
- “Shake” (2021) – Over 216 million views on YouTube
- “Dooty Booty” (2021) – His debut single
- “Ronaldo (Sewey)” (2022) – A tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Streaming on Rumble
In May 2023, IShowSpeed signed an exclusive streaming deal with Rumble, a platform competing with YouTube and Twitch.
5. Live Events and Appearances
Speed has appeared at:
- WWE WrestleMania XL (2024)
- WWE Royal Rumble (2025)
- Sidemen Charity Matches
- Rolling Loud Festival Portugal (2023)
- Charity soccer matches where he raised over $10 million
The “IShowMeat” Controversy: What Happened?
On August 16, 2023, IShowSpeed was playing Five Nights at Freddy’s: Ruin on stream when disaster struck.
During a jumpscare, Speed did exaggerated movements and accidentally exposed his genitals on camera when they slipped out of his boxers.
He immediately ended the stream, but thousands of viewers had already clipped the moment. The video went viral across Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok.
The Aftermath
The internet exploded with memes. The term “IShowMeat” trended worldwide and became a running joke in Speed’s community.
YouTube announced that no repercussions would be taken against Speed, saying it was clearly an accident.
Two days later, on August 18, Speed addressed the controversy on stream. He was emotional and explained that accidentally flashing on stream had been one of his biggest fears. He said the memes and jokes hurt, but he understood people found it funny.
Speed’s father even made a song about the incident called “I Show The Meat,” which Speed watched on stream (and was not amused).
The incident became part of Speed’s lore, and even now, fans joke about it constantly.
Is IShowSpeed Dead? The Truth Behind the Death Rumors
No, IShowSpeed is alive and well.
But he’s been the victim of multiple death hoaxes over the years. Here’s what happened:
Death Rumor #1: Trampoline Incident (September 2021)
During a stream, Speed jumped on a trampoline and landed his head on the edge. The stream suddenly stopped, and people speculated he’d broken his neck and died.
He was fine. The stream just cut out.
Death Rumor #2: Japan Hospitalization (July 2023)
Speed was hospitalized in Tokyo with a severe sinus infection and swollen eye (more on that below). Fans feared the worst.
He recovered fully and was released from the hospital.
Death Rumor #3: Las Vegas Strat Tower Jump (September 2025)
Speed jumped off the Strat Tower in Las Vegas on a bungee cord. A doctored video showed his safety harness “snapping,” and fans believed he’d died.
The Strat Hotel confirmed the video was fake, created by a TikTok user exploiting a video glitch.
Why Do These Rumors Keep Happening?
IShowSpeed is constantly doing dangerous stunts:
- Jumping off buildings
- Participating in WWE matches
- Racing against Olympic sprinters
- Cheese rolling down steep hills
Combine that with his massive following, and any time his stream goes dark, people panic.
IShowSpeed Eye Injury: What Happened to His Eye?
In July 2023, IShowSpeed was hospitalized in Tokyo, Japan, with a severely swollen eye and cluster headaches.
What Happened
On July 30, 2023, Speed posted a video from an ambulance. His right eye was swollen shut, his head was bandaged, and he was in visible pain.
He said it felt like “somebody is stabbing my eye with a knife.”
Speed was diagnosed with cluster headaches and a severe sinus infection that spread to his eyelid.
How Serious Was It?
According to Speed’s cameraman (Slipper), the infection was life-threatening.
“Speed got very lucky his body pushed the extra bacteria from the infection to the front of his eye and not the back. If it went behind his eye, he would’ve lost vision permanently.”
Speed was hospitalized for several days. His parents flew from Ohio to Japan to be with him.
The Recovery
Speed was eventually discharged and made a full recovery, though his eye remained swollen for weeks.
In March 2025, Speed underwent eye surgery related to the cluster headaches he experienced in Japan nearly two years prior.
IShowSpeed Sister: Meeting His Secret Sibling
IShowSpeed has younger siblings, including:
- Diamonté Watkins – His younger sister
- “Dayday” Watkins – His younger brother
The Secret Sister
In September 2025, during Speed’s “Speed Does America” tour, he visited his family home in Detroit, Michigan.
During the stream, his father introduced him to a biological sister he’d never met before.
Speed was shocked. He confronted his father on camera:
“You ain’t tell me that you had another daughter! They just keep popping up, man!”
His father laughed it off, saying, “Daddy was getting busy back in the day, you know?”
The moment went viral, with over 18 million views on Twitter.
IShowSpeed Girlfriend: Who Is Vanessa Anne Williams?
As of December 2024, IShowSpeed is dating Vanessa Anne Williams.
Who Is Vanessa Anne Williams?
Vanessa is a 20-year-old actress and social media influencer with:
- 936,000+ followers on Instagram
- 820,000+ followers on TikTok
- 22,800+ subscribers on YouTube
She’s known for:
- Playing Rose Rita Pottinger in The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) alongside Jack Black and Cate Blanchett
- Appearing in the TV show Dynasty (2017)
- Creating beauty and makeup content
When Did They Start Dating?
Speed first hinted at having a girlfriend in October 2024 after photos of him at Vanessa’s birthday party went viral.
He confirmed the relationship on December 29, 2024, during a Fortnite marathon stream with Kai Cenat. He officially introduced Vanessa by name to his audience.
During the stream, Kai Cenat asked Vanessa what she loves about Speed. She said:
“One, his beautiful smile. Two, I like the way he takes care of others around him. Three, how he treats me. He treats me how I deserve to be treated.”
Speed did a backflip in excitement and nearly knocked over his streaming setup.
Past Relationships
Before Vanessa, Speed had public relationships with:
- Ermony Renee (Dream) – His first girlfriend, introduced in 2021
- Aaliyah Wasko – Rumored relationship in early 2023
- Amy Flamy – South Korean TikToker he dated for content in 2024 (ended in controversy)
Does IShowSpeed Have a Daughter?
No. There are rumors that Speed has a daughter named “Naomi,” but this is false.
The rumor started from a video where Speed and his friend Tee Tee babysat a child for a day. The girl was not his daughter.
IShowSpeed Controversies: The Biggest Scandals
Speed has been involved in multiple controversies over the years:
1. Banned from Twitch (2021)
Speed was permanently banned from Twitch for “sexual coercion or intimidation” after harassing a female participant during an “e-dating” show hosted by Adin Ross.
He wasn’t unbanned until October 2023.
2. Banned from Valorant (2022)
Speed told a female Valorant player to “get off the fking game and do your husband’s dishes.”**
Riot Games permanently banned him from all their games.
3. YouTube Strike for Sexual Content (July 2022)
Speed accidentally showed sexual content from the “Jenny Mod” in Minecraft on stream to 96,000 viewers.
He received a one-week ban from YouTube.
4. Almost Burned His House Down (July 4, 2022)
Speed lit a Pikachu-shaped firework inside his bedroom. It exploded, filling the room with smoke and nearly starting a fire.
Firefighters had to come to his house.
5. Racism Accusations (2022 FIFA World Cup)
Speed repeatedly yelled “konnichiwa” at a Chinese man because he thought he was Japanese.
He later apologized.
IShowSpeed Achievements: What Makes Him Special?
Despite the controversies, IShowSpeed has accomplished incredible things:
- Streamer of the Year – 2024 and 2025 Streamer Awards
- Breakout Streamer of the Year – 2022 Streamy Awards
- 46+ million YouTube subscribers
- TIME100 Creators List (2025) – Named one of the most influential digital voices
- Rolling Stone’s Most Influential Creator of 2025
- WWE appearances – WrestleMania XL (2024), Royal Rumble (2025)
- CBS Sports coverage – First streamer to appear on UEFA Champions League coverage
- Honorary Mayor of Lima, Peru (for one hour) – January 2025
Final Thoughts: The IShowSpeed Phenomenon
IShowSpeed is a walking contradiction.
He’s immature, yet he’s raised millions for charity. He’s controversial, yet he’s beloved by millions. He’s chaotic, yet he’s become one of the most successful streamers in the world.
Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is clear: IShowSpeed is here to stay.