Streaming star xQc has stirred up a fierce online debate after claiming that most VTubers hide their faces because they look “disgusting” in-person.
The week has been rife with heated discussions about the streaming industry following QTCinderella’s Streamer Awards show on December 6, which spawned a few viral moments that sparked widespread commentary about the state of the scene.
One of these debates has centered on the winner of VTuber of the Year, The Burnt Peanut, whose victory in the category was contested by a segment of VTubers and fans of the genre.
This response was largely due to the fact that Peanut uses a face filter showing his eyes and mouth, not an entire model to completely obscure his entire appearance, as well as his previous comments distancing himself from the genre.
Ironmouse, one of the most popular VTubers in the space, disagreed with this take, arguing that Peanut deserved the win as well as the title of being a true VTuber. This resulted in some backlash toward both herself and Peanut.
Peanut later commented on these disgruntled viewers, saying the source of harassment about the situation was fans of other VTubers who are “40-year-old men cosplaying as 15-year-old anime girls.”
The conversation quickly went viral, catching the attention of Twitch and Kick star Felix ‘xQc‘ Lengyel, who found himself agreeing with Peanut’s sentiment.
“Let’s be honest,” the streamer began. “Most VTubers use VTubing as an excuse not to show themselves because they are f**king disgusting. I’m not being weird, I’m not discriminating. The vast majority of VTubers would love to be on camera, but they’re f**king disgusting.”
“That’s okay,” he continued. “That’s completely fine. But come on, bro. You know what I mean?”
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Lengyel’s comments have also stirred up a debate of their own, with some viewers arguing that VTubers might not be insecure of their looks, but simply want privacy.
“Some people are ugly, can’t deny, but some also just want privacy,” one posited on YouTube. “I know I’d rather not have my face plastered everywhere and on some weird platforms for sure these days.”
“They’re not hiding their identity because they’re ugly, they’re hiding because there’s obsessive freaks on the internet,” another argued.
This conversation follows Ironmouse opening up about an “uncomfortable” interaction she had with RaKai and Ray at the Streamer Awards, where the two influencers asked her about her appearance and ethnicity.
Leaning into the energy of the moment, Ironmouse joked that she was VTubing because she was “ugly,” but later admitted that she gave them a “dumb” answer because they were asking a “dumb” question.
Ironmouse herself notably became a VTuber due to her chronic health condition, which forces her to stay at home due to risks of infection.
