A recent visit by global YouTube sensation Darren "IShowSpeed" to Zimbabwe has sparked a significant online controversy, not over his content, but over a brief, seemingly awkward interaction—or lack thereof—with Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025, Lyshanda Moyas.
The Viral Moment That Started It All
The incident occurred during a lengthy livestream from Zimbabwe, which was part of the streamer's much-publicized Africa tour. The broadcast, which took place on January 8, 2026, lasted for over five hours and later amassed more than three million views. Near the very end of the stream, at approximately the 5:00:04 timestamp, the scene shifted to a club or party setting.
It was here that Lyshanda Moyas, wearing a red jersey, was seen sitting next to IShowSpeed for about five minutes. Despite her proximity, the camera captured no clear conversation or formal introduction between them. This fleeting moment, where the streamer appeared not to acknowledge his notable seatmate, was quickly clipped and spread like wildfire across social media platforms, especially on X (formerly Twitter).
Social Media Weighs In: A Clash of Opinions
The online community swiftly divided into camps, debating who was responsible for the perceived snub. Many users placed the onus on Moyas and her management team for not ensuring she was properly recognized.
One user, @freddyMM93, advised, "Lyshanda our Queen, not everyone knows you. On occasions like these, put on your sash & crown and make it easy for guests to identify you. Speed 'snubbed' you cause he saw you in club & perhaps thought you were one of those."
Another perspective from @MikelaWacho criticized the management, stating, "Her brand is massive and should never be left to chance. This is where management matters. Instead, she was positioned like one of those random club chicks waiting for Speed to buy her a drink."
Others felt Moyas should have taken the initiative. User @kayzywizzzy commented, "She just stood there, what was she expecting? he definitely doesn't know her," while @Optimus_Dracula added, "He clearly didnt know her and she couldn't even introduce herself to his team or him being she was in front of him."
Aftermath and Clarification
According to a report from entertainment account @richo, IShowSpeed only became aware of Moyas's identity after the livestream had ended. The report also mentioned that Moyas later took to Instagram to share her feelings on the incident. She was reportedly upset initially but expressed gratitude for his visit to her country.
The post summarized her reaction as: "iShowSpeed realises after his Zimbabwe stream ends that he accidentally ignored Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2025, who had come out to greet him. She later posted on Instagram saying she was upset at first, but still happy to see him exploring and celebrating her beautiful country."
Further context was added with another clip showing IShowSpeed walking past Moyas earlier during a go-karting activity, suggesting their paths had crossed more than once without formal interaction. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of live internet celebrity culture and the intense scrutiny that follows every moment, turning a brief five-minute club scene into a global talking point about etiquette, personal branding, and fan expectations.
