IShowSpeed in China: How a Streamer is Bridging China and America Together

YouTube livestreamer and internet icon IShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., recently took a cross-country tour through China, spotlighting Chinese society and bringing together citizens of two rivaling countries. 
​by Emery Brown

YouTube livestreamer and internet icon IShowSpeed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., recently took a cross-country tour through China, spotlighting Chinese society and bringing together citizens of two rivaling countries. 

Known for his bombastic and spontaneous personality, Watkins’ journey began in Shanghai on March 24. It spanned across numerous cities, experiencing cultural practices like awe-inspiring Bian Lian dance, navigating the streets of both historic and modern cities, and meeting with various celebrities, such as Chinese singer and actor Jackson Wang, whom he played tennis with.

When Watkins performed a backflip on the Great Wall (technically becoming the first to do so), fans were worried that he would face the wrath of the Chinese Communist Party. However, the opposite was true. In a recent report, the Chinese Government praises Watkins, claiming, "The tour has sparked a wave of international interest, particularly among youth, who are being exposed to a side of China rarely highlighted in the US mainstream narratives."

Additionally, the Chinese embassy in the US commented on the story on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “The 20-year-old popular American YouTuber #IShowSpeed @ishowspeedsuii has kicked off a journey in #China that has already garnered massive global attention, which indicates a broader trend of digital influencers bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”

Watkins’ tour is a contributor to the recent “China Fever” phenomenon, a series of exchanges between Chinese and American netizens that has spurred a greater cultural diffusion and appreciation between the two countries. Many point to the brief ban of TikTok services in early January as the beginning of the trend as Americans flocked to Chinese social giant Xiaohongshu, called RedNote in America, as an alternative to the downed app, resulting in a wholesome and unique meshing of cultures. 

Watkins has made various streaming tours across the world, including South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and India, even meeting with world leaders and briefly becoming the mayor of the Peruvian capital city of Lima. Yet, none have won him as much praise and acclaim as the Chinese stream. In fact, it was so successful that some are skeptical that it may be sponsored by the CCP itself, though there is no evidence to prove the claim.
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Many hope that the success of Watkins’ tour will inspire other content creators to travel to China for a similar experience, pushing aside political differences and further closing the gap between the two nations.