2025 Streamer Awards Sparks Backlash Over Controversial Jokes Targeting Black Creators

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2025, 9 p.m. — What was supposed to be a celebration of the internet’s biggest Twitch and YouTube stars turned into a social media firestorm. The 2025 Streamer Awards held at the Wiltern Theatre in LA and founded by streamer QTCinderella aimed to honor the best in livestreaming. Instead it highlighted the ongoing issues of race, representation, and tone that still plague online spaces.

From awkward jokes to missteps that crossed lines the night quickly shifted from a fan-driven tribute to a tense reminder of how far we still have to go.

The Jokes That Did Not Land

Early in the show Fanfan a popular streamer made what she thought was a funny quip. She referenced Kai Cenat’s recent documentary comparing him to Sean “Diddy” Combs. The audience’s silence was deafening. The comment referenced serious allegations in the documentary including sexual assault abuse and even possible homicide making it painfully tone-deaf. Fans and viewers on social media were not here for it calling it grossly inappropriate.

Cenat who had just won multiple awards that night looked stunned. The moment was a punch to the gut especially during an event meant to uplift creators. Clips of the cringe-worthy joke spread fast with many criticizing the timing and insensitivity.

Tylil Calls Out the Flop

Not long after Tylil from the Clover Boys took the mic to shut down the joke. She said if you are going to be on the mic making jokes at least let it be funny earning cheers from the crowd. Fanfan’s quick response was I thought it was funny. Yeah not quite.

Production Fumbles and Racial Oversights

Things got even messier when the camera focused on the wrong person during the Best Music Streamer announcement. Instead of Plaqueboymax the winner viewers saw Deshae Frost. Fans called out the mistake citing it as a pattern of racial insensitivity behind the scenes.

And then came QT Cinderella’s question to RaKai asking what is the coolest thing you have ever stolen. The question was likely meant as a playful roast but landed badly. RaKai’s recent shoplifting ban made the comment feel tasteless turning a real controversy into a moment of microaggression on stage.

The Aftermath

By the end of the night what should have been a night of celebration felt more like a lesson in cultural awareness. Critics took to social media to call out the show’s tone-deafness highlighting the need for more thoughtful inclusive humor in spaces that are meant to uplift Black creators and marginalized voices.

The 2025 Streamer Awards proved one thing. There is still work to do when it comes to race, representation, and sensitivity in digital culture. And for the thousands watching at home it was a stark reminder that even in celebration accountability matters.

Rob Redding is the author of the forthcoming book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung out on Jan. 5, 2026. He is the bestselling author of 17 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.