25-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) American internet personality IShowSpeed, known simply as Speed to his legion of fans, made a triumphant return to Singapore on Tuesday, mere days after his initial livestream in the Lion City came to an abrupt end. This time, the 19-year-old YouTube star was determined to make the most of his visit, embarking on a whirlwind tour of local experiences guided by Singaporean producer Dew Francis.
Speed’s ambitious goal for this livestream was to reach the milestone of 32 million subscribers, promising his viewers a daring bungee jump if the target was met. What unfolded was a series of unexpected events that kept his audience on the edge of their seats.
The livestream kicked off near Bugis, where Speed was immediately thrust into an impromptu race against Kevin Wee, founder of the Radical Kindness advocacy platform. With S$10,000 for charity at stake, Speed’s athletic prowess shone through as he easily clinched victory.
The streamer’s luck continued to soar as he was gifted a coveted One Piece figurine and the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max by the founders of local candy store SGFR. Visibly stunned by the generosity, Speed exclaimed, “What the hell is going on in Singapore, bro?”
In pursuit of authentic local experiences, Speed found himself at the iconic Bhai Sarbat drink stall on Bussorah Street. Here, he received an unconventional lesson in teh tarik preparation from stall owner Asgar, which culminated in tea being poured down Speed’s bare chest – a moment that left the streamer both baffled and amused.
The adventure continued with visits to cultural landmarks like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, where Speed embraced local traditions by getting a henna tattoo of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. He also tried his hand at surfing at the Trifecta recreation centre, showcasing his willingness to dive into new experiences.
As the subscriber count inched closer to the 32 million mark, Speed made his way to Skypark By AJ Hackett on Sentosa Island. Here, he encountered an unexpected celebrity – Hollywood actor Simu Liu, fresh from attending the F1 race. The Marvel star joined Speed for a thrilling ride on the giant swing, adding a touch of star power to the already eventful stream.
The climax of the livestream saw Speed facing his fear of heights as he prepared for the promised bungee jump. Despite visible nervousness and multiple attempts to back out, Speed ultimately took the plunge upon reaching his subscriber goal, much to the delight of his viewers.
However, in a twist befitting the unpredictable nature of live internet content, Speed’s triumph was short-lived. Minutes after his jump, a mass unsubscribe event orchestrated by his viewers saw his count dip below the 32 million mark, leading to a characteristically dramatic reaction from the streamer before he abruptly ended the broadcast.
As Speed was spotted at Changi Airport the following day, speculation arose about his next destination, with many suggesting he might be headed to the Philippines.