Ninja Talks About Online Criticism and Charity Work
Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, one of the most recognized names in gaming, has expressed that he faces daily harassment from online trolls regarding his decreased viewer numbers. Ninja rose to fame in 2018, most notably through his Fortnite sessions on Twitch alongside big names like Drake, Travis Scott, and NFL player Juju Smith-Schuster.
Currently, he enjoys a substantial following of 67 million across various platforms, making him the third most popular streamer on Twitch, even though his viewer count has dropped significantly from its peak. He notes that it seems “haters” are fixated on his decline in popularity. “I think I’m the only streamer on the planet who was pulling 100,000 viewers [per stream] consistently, but now I get like seven or eight thousand across Twitch and YouTube,” he shared.
Ninja, who has moderators to manage negativity in his streams, mentions that it’s been challenging to brush off the trolls. “It’s literally every day that I’m getting berated online,” he added, acknowledging the impact of this ongoing criticism.
Known for his gaming prowess, Fortnite even created special “skins” resembling him. His earnings are substantial, with an estimated net worth of around $50 million. Despite the backlash, Ninja has no intentions of stepping back from his streaming career. “I still love it and have a community that is strong and stays with me. I’m a gamer and an entertainer at heart—it’s in my blood,” he mentioned.
The 34-year-old spoke with the BBC while gearing up for a 24-hour charity stream to raise awareness about skin cancer, following his own experience with cancerous moles last year. He aims to raise $250,000 during this event, inviting medical professionals to educate viewers on the importance of monitoring skin changes.
Though he’s committed to donating a significant amount to cancer charities, he emphasizes that awareness is equally important. “Me and my wife were going to give to this cause no matter what because it’s going to be important to us for the rest of our lives,” he noted. Ninja particularly hopes to reach younger audiences, encouraging them to get their moles checked out as well.
As for the charity stream, he plans to be live for 12 hours, admitting that he no longer has the stamina for longer sessions. “I’m 34—I need my sleep, man!” he humorously remarked.
