Natalie Reynolds Defends Herself After Viral Backlash Over Lake Incident
3 min read
Kick Clips/X
Controversial Kick streamer Natalie Reynolds has sparked significant outrage after a recent livestream incident where she encouraged a woman to jump into a lake for $20 and then left the scene while the woman cried for help. Clips of Reynolds not stopping to assist the woman quickly went viral on social media, prompting a flood of criticism.
Natalie Reynolds scammed that woman $20 bucks to help her win a competition for $30,000 and left in the water💀 https://t.co/xS7pvnnqYg pic.twitter.com/JVh2fonypS
— ShortRida (@ShortRida) May 30, 2024
Reynolds addressed the backlash in a reply on X (formerly Twitter), where the clip had amassed millions of views. Defending her actions, she claimed that the woman wanted to swim and that people at the scene had asked Reynolds and her crew to leave and stop filming. Reynolds asserted that the woman received the help she needed and was fine, urging critics to stop “dragging sht”: “The lady wanted to swim, they told me to leave and stop filming that’s why we left, and she got the help she needed and is fine. Stop dragging sht. Allah.”
The lady wanted to swim, they told me to leave and stop filming that’s why we left, and she got the help she needed and is fine. Stop dragging shit. Allah https://t.co/tuFzPfJbMw
— natalie reynolds (@onlynatreynolds) May 30, 2024Advertisement
How It Went Down
On May 30, during an IRL Kick stream, Natalie Reynolds was roaming near a lake while participating in Ice Poseidon’s real-life scavenger hunt. The streamer was searching for a particular clue in the lake and offered a passerby $20 to swim and retrieve it.
In the clip, Reynolds is heard saying:
“I’m trying to find this RFID scanner and I have to kayak. Ice Poseidon told me ‘you swim in the water.’ You should jump in the water right now and should start swimming to find it. Would you do that? You just jump in the water to find it for me. I’ll give you 20 bucks.”
After some persuasion, the woman agreed and jumped into the water. However, soon afterward, Reynolds and the other streamers were told to move away, and the woman in the water called out that she couldn’t swim.
Reynolds attempted to justify her earlier actions by claiming that the woman had wanted to swim. In the end, Reynolds and the others left the premises after being instructed by authorities.
A woman almost drowns live on Natalie Reynolds' stream after being dared to jump into the water pic.twitter.com/NM8K1MKj7v
— Kick Clips 🎬 (@kick_clips) May 29, 2024
Public Reaction
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with many criticizing Reynolds for her apparent disregard for the woman’s safety. Critics argue that regardless of whether the woman initially agreed to swim, Reynolds and her crew had a responsibility to ensure her safety, especially after she expressed difficulty in the water.
Natalie Reynolds’ response on social media has done little to quell the backlash, as many viewers find her justification insufficient and her tone dismissive. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of streamers and content creators towards individuals who become part of their content, whether willingly or otherwise.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Reynolds and the platform Kick will address the ongoing criticism and what measures, if any, will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
she said “i can’t swim i can only float” and their first instinct was to walk away.. nah man 💀
— 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗶 (@itscontursii) May 30, 2024
Streaming culture is horrible
— Agenda (@Agenda__Pusher) May 30, 2024
I hope the lady is ok. Does anyone have an update if she is doing ok?
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) May 30, 2024
she wasn’t forced though like why you listening to a dare by someone you don’t know
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) May 30, 2024
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Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
