Disappointment Ensues After IShowSpeed’s 40 Million Feat as UFC’s Israel Adesanya Joins Fans’ Protest Against Investigation

Popular streamer and internet personality IShowSpeed, known for his energetic antics and massive global following, landed in hot water during his recent tour in New Zealand. The controversy stems from allegations that he violated the country’s visa laws, overshadowing his otherwise successful visit. IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., arrived in New Zealand as part of a series of events aimed at connecting with fans.

While his presence was met with enthusiasm and large turnouts at his public appearances, reports suggest that the YouTuber may not have adhered to the specific conditions of his visa. Allegedly, Watkins entered the country on a tourist visa but engaged in activities deemed as commercial work, such as paid promotions and performances, which are restricted under such entry permits. The issue came to light after local authorities began reviewing his activities following complaints and media attention. Jimi Jackson took to his Instagram to share the news with the fans. He also pointed out how ‘Speed’ shot a haka video which gathered 40 Million views but it has now been deleted by the authorities.

According to immigration experts, any form of monetary gain from events while on a tourist visa is considered a breach of visa regulations, potentially leading to fines, legal action, or even deportation. Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya who is a resident of the Island nation joined protesting fans by sharing Jimi Jackson’s video of the government’s crackdown on the YouTuber. On this tour, IShowSpeed visited Adesanya’s home gym City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand, and was even seen making content with the Kiwi fighter Dan Hooker.

The situation has raised broader discussions about the challenges faced by global influencers, who often operate in a gray area when it comes to international regulations. While fans remain hopeful for a resolution, IShowSpeed’s legal troubles in New Zealand serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in global stardom.

For now, the streamer’s fate in New Zealand remains uncertain, but this incident underscores the importance of thorough preparation when operating on a global stage. Fans worldwide await clarity on the situation, but in the meantime, they took the time to share their honest review on what they actually felt about the whole situation.

Fans did appreciate IShowSpeed’s treatment in Israel Adesanya’s country of residence

While Israel Adesanya chose to protest in silence, Kiwi fans were vocal about their disdain for the New Zealand government’s treatment of IShowSpeed. It’s no surprise then, that they came out in droves to react to Jimi Johnson’s video and let their anger be known in the comments section.

Many fans see IShowSpeed’s global presence as an opportunity to celebrate and share New Zealand’s unique identity with the world, including its Māori culture. Keeping this in mind one user commented, “Māori to the world!”. New Zealand, often perceived as quiet and less eventful compared to global hotspots, rarely experiences high-energy, globally relevant events like Speed’s tour. One user is now disappointed that what could have been a fun and unifying moment for fans is now overshadowed by legal trouble, “NZ when finally something fun and exciting happens in the country”

One user was frustrated with the authorities’ handling of the situation which will be depriving New Zealand of similar exciting opportunities, “& they wonder why we don’t get good things ://// perfectly said Jimi!”. One user viewed Speed’s treatment as a missed opportunity for New Zealand to showcase itself positively and commented, “This is honestly a sad loss for NZ”. ‘Elo’, slang for out-of-touch or unnecessarily strict behavior, is likely directed at New Zealand’s immigration authorities by one of the users, “These guys are elo!!!”

One user took a humorous dig at New Zealand’s authorities, referring to them as a stereotypical ‘Karen’—a name used to describe someone excessively demanding or petty. The name highlights the perceived overreaction to what fans see as a minor violation that could have been resolved more leniently, “NZ is literally a Karen”. One user was frustrated with New Zealand’s tendency to self-sabotage. He suggested that strict adherence to rules in situations like this diminishes the country’s ability to enjoy global opportunities and connect positively with the world, “If World War 3 starts they won’t need to worry about NZ, we would’ve already shot ourselves down like we always do”. 

Together, these reactions reveal a broader dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled, as fans feel it could tarnish New Zealand’s image and prevent similar visits in the future.