So my nephew’s been raving about this YouTuber named IShowSpeed for months. Kid doesn’t stop going on about these videos, constantly showing me clips of some bloke screaming at football games or doing backflips in random countries. “Watkins Darren is his real name,” he informs me, as if that were supposed to mean something.

It does mean something, it turns out. Quite a lot, actually.

Who Actually Is This Bloke?

Watkins Darren, or, if we’re being formal, Darren Jason Watkins Jr., is a 20-year-old American lad who has somehow, somehow, managed to make shouting at video games a proper career for himself. Goes by IShowSpeed online, which is about as subtle as a brick through a window.

The kid from Cincinnati has been streaming since he was a teen. Now he has more than 30 million subscribers on YouTube and millions more following him everywhere else. My nephew just showed me how many subscribers he has, and I nearly fell off my chair. That’s more people than live in most countries.

The Screaming Success Story

The thing that’s a bit mental about Watkins Darren is how he managed to amass thousands of followers by generally being completely over the top about everything. Whether it’s football games or playing video games, or meeting famous people, this lad treats everything as if it is the most incredible thing that has ever occurred.

I saw one of his streams where he met Cristiano Ronaldo. Thought the kid was going to have a proper meltdown right there on camera. The video has been viewed more than 100 million times, which is completely bonkers when you think about it. That’s nearly half of America watching the same clip.

His current thing is to go around to various countries and livestream the whole experience. Been to China, Lithuania, and all kinds of places. Chinese state media even complimented him for fostering good relations between China and America. Go figure, some screaming kid about football ended up becoming some kind of international diplomat.

The Money Side of Things

What got my attention was this: this lad is making some serious money. IShowSpeed’s estimated net worth is $25 million as of 2025, although some say it’s more around the $10-15 million mark. Either way, that’s real money from someone who is just old enough to drink!

My brother-in-law’s been in construction for 25 years and doesn’t have a fraction of what this kid’s made in five years of streaming. Makes you wonder what the rest of us are doing wrong!

The money comes from YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise. But then there’s also that insane touring he does where he’s streaming himself somewhere in some other country. Apparently, people pay good money to watch someone else go on holiday.

The Current Madness

For right now, Watkins Darren is going on this absolutely insane 35-day tour through 25 American states and will be streaming it 24/7. Begun Aug. 28; that’s this week! The lad is going to see Arizona, California, Colorado, and Florida, and that’s half the country, really.

Can you imagine? Streaming every minute of a month-long road trip? I can barely handle my family knowing where I am on weekends, let alone sharing my life with millions of strangers.

My nephew is already plotting to travel to any state Speed will visit near us. “We might actually meet him!” he keeps saying. I mean, good luck finding the kid in the screaming teenagers there, but he’s got it in his head.

The Cristiano Obsession

One thing that just kills me about Watkins Darren is his fixation with Cristiano Ronaldo. The boy adores the footballer as if he’s some kind of god. Recently met him, and you would have thought he hit the lottery by his reaction.

Makes sense, though. Both of them are completely mental with what they do, just in different ways. Ronaldo’s a perfectionist about football; Speed’s about entertaining people. Same energy, different game.

Why Kids Love Him

I asked my nephew what’s so special about this Watkins Darren character. “He’s just himself,” the kid said. “Doesn’t pretend to be cool or anything. Just does mad stuff and has a laugh.”

Fair point, actually. Most YouTubers these days are so polished and fake, trying to be brand-friendly and appealing to advertisers. Speed just screams about whatever he wants and somehow makes millions doing it.

Plus, he actually shows up in places. Not just sitting in his bedroom talking to a camera – the lad’s out there meeting people, visiting countries, and doing proper adventures. That’s got to be more interesting than watching someone react to TikToks for the hundredth time.

The TIME Recognition

Just shows you how big this whole thing’s gotten; TIME magazine put him on their 2025 creators list. TIME! The same magazine that puts presidents and Nobel Prize winners on covers is now writing about Watkins Darren screaming at FIFA games.

Even FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, showed up at his house to promote a tournament. When the head of world football comes to your gaff for a chat, you know you’ve made it.

The Global Impact Thing

What’s properly mad is how this kid from Cincinnati has become this global phenomenon. He streams from Lithuania and gets millions of views. Goes to Saudi Arabia, makes friends with locals. Visits China, gets praised by their government.

My mate Dave, who’s in his 50s and barely knows how to use WhatsApp, even knows who IShowSpeed is now. “That mental American lad,” he calls him. When Dave knows about internet celebrities, they’ve definitely hit the mainstream.

Bottom Line on Speed

So yeah, Watkins Darren has basically cracked the code on internet fame. Started as some kid shouting at video games, now he’s travelling the world with millions of people watching his every move.

Will it last forever? Probably not. Internet fame’s a fickle thing. But right now, the lad’s living his best life, making serious money, and entertaining millions of people in the process.

My nephew’s convinced Speed’s going to be the first YouTuber in space. Wouldn’t surprise me at this point. The way things are going, we’ll probably all be watching Watkins Darren scream at aliens on Mars by 2030.