Twitch has been home to a number of the world’s most popular streamers over the years, including Moroccan-Canadian Internet personality Imane “Pokimane” Anys. However, for the last while, Pokimane appears to have been experiencing issues with Twitch as a platform as well as other Twitch streamers. Now, she’s also reporting a recent instance of real-life harassment that caused her to run away in fear from two strangers.
It has been said that streamers are the newest form of celebrities, and it’s well-known that being a celebrity can take a serious toll on people. Pokimane has reported feeling burnt out recently and stated that she seriously considered quitting Twitch entirely. If this story is anything to go by, fans may be able to understand why she might consider retiring.
According to a story chronicled on her Instagram, Pokimane was recognized by two strange men on February 10, 2022, while walking through a parking lot. She was heading back her friends, but she was alone when they started “hollering” at her. At first, she didn’t seem to mind, but after one of them sang “happy Valentine’s Day to you,” things got weird. This isn’t the first time Pokimane has had problems with obsessive fans, but it may be one of the scariest incidents she’s shared.
Apparently, one of the men then started to sing that Pokimane could be the milk to his cereal “with that skirt.” Next, he sang–or yelled–that he wanted to see what was under Pokimane’s skirt, which is sexual harassment. Either way, Pokimane decided that she’d had enough and fled the conversation. The streamer has confirmed that she is fine, but the incident seems to have left her shaken and disturbed. Although Pokimane has been forced to cut broadcasts short due to hate before, going through a similar experience in real life may have hit harder.
Pokimane stated that she chose to share this incident for two main reasons. First, because it was “cringe” and she appears to have wanted to shame both the man who said inappropriate things and the man who stood by and watched. Second, to spread awareness, because, as the streamer reports, this sort of thing is unpleasantly common. While Pokimane’s popularity may have contributed to the men recognizing her, it’s entirely possible they would have become inappropriate with her even if she had been a stranger. It remains to be seen if this incident will have any impact on where Pokimane goes next.
Source: Dexerto
