Twitch streamer Samantha Rivers, known online as rivers_gg, has recently spoken out against the wave of hate and harassment she’s faced following her win at the Esports Awards 2024. Rivers took home the prestigious Streamer of the Year award, beating out several high-profile contenders, including Kai Cenat, Darren “IShowSpeed”, Nicholas “Jynxzi”, Ibai, Cody “Clix,” Case “CaseOh,” and Félix “xQc”. However, the celebration of her achievement has been overshadowed by the disturbing backlash she has received from both fellow creators and the online community.
On August 27, 2024, Samantha Rivers took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly address the situation, revealing that she has been the target of numerous “death threats” and relentless “hate and harassment” since her win. The Mexican streamer, who has garnered a significant following on Twitch, provided both Spanish and English versions of her statement to ensure her message was understood by a wider audience. In her post, Rivers expressed her shock and fear, stating, “The hate, harassment, and death threats I’ve been getting in the past few days is not normal.”
Rivers’ victory at the Esports Awards has sparked significant contr oversy within the streaming community, drawing criticism from notable figures such as Twitch streamer Zack “Asmongold” and Kick creator Adin Ross. Asmongold dismissed her win as a “diversity pick,” suggesting that Rivers only won due to her gender rather than her achievements. Meanwhile, Adin Ross went a step further by questioning her relevance in the streaming world, claiming that “nobody” knew who Rivers was and that award shows held little value.
In response to these criticisms, Rivers defended her victory by emphasizing the role her dedicated community played in securing the award. She clarified that the Streamer of the Year award is determined by public voting, and her community has a history of successfully rallying to support her in competitions against other prominent figures. Addressing the accusations, she said, “This was an award that is won by voting; my community is known for always winning against huge profiles, it’s what they do. I asked them to please not vote for me in a tweet a while ago. I wrote it honestly, and you can find it in my profile.”
Samantha Rivers also opened up about the emotional toll that the backlash has taken on her. She expressed deep anxiety over the hateful comments and even apologized to the fanbases of Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed, stating that she had “nothing to do” with the way the event unfolded. “I’m shocked and scared at how mean people can be to someone they don’t know… I’m sorry to Kai and Speed’s communities, but I had nothing to do with this… In my four years of being on the internet, I had never experienced anything like this, and I hope no one has to go through this ever.”
Samantha Rivers’ experience highlights the darker side of online fame, where success can often be met with unwarranted hostility and resentment. Despite the negativity she’s faced, Rivers remains a testament to the power of community support and resilience in the face of adversity. Her story also serves as a reminder of the importance of online kindness and the impact that words can have on individuals, especially those in the public eye.