Esports Awards: Did Samantha Rivera Trevino’s win expose a bias against American streamers?

The recent Esports Awards have sparked a heated debate within the gaming community, following Samantha "Rivers" Rivera Trevino’s unexpected victory in the Streamer of the Year category. This outcome has left many fans questioning whether there is an underlying bias against American streamers.

It comes after Rivers triumphed over renowned content creators such as Kai Cenat and Darren Watkins aka IShowSpeed. The Streamer of the Year category, which recognizes outstanding content creators, featured a highly competitive lineup this year.

It included popular figures like IShowSpeed and Kai Cenat, who have seen explosive growth in recent years. Despite this Rivers, aka Sammy, emerged as the winner and it ignited fan controversy.

Critics argue that Rivers’ win reflects a potential bias against prominent American streamers, with some labelling Sammy as a "nobody" compared to Cenat and Speed. However, Rivers streams in Spanish and has a strong presence in the Spanish-speaking community.

She boasts over 6.5 million followers on Twitch and has achieved a peak viewership of 100,000 in the past year. Her content includes a mix of everyday life activities and diverse gaming streams, which have resonated with a substantial audience.

A second consecutive win for Rivers

This marks Rivers' second consecutive win as Streamer of the Year, a testament to her dedicated fan base. The controversy stems from the perception that Cenat and Speed’s followers may not fully appreciate the influence and reach of international creators.

Some fans have expressed surprise at Rivers' victory, possibly due to a lack of awareness about her extensive following and impact in the Spanish-speaking gaming community. Supporters of Rivers argue that the backlash reveals a broader issue of recognition and respect for streamers outside of the English-speaking sphere.

The Esports’ Awards voting process is community-driven, which underscores that Rivers' repeated success is a result of genuine support from her audience. As the debate continues, it raises important questions about the inclusivity and fairness of awards in the esports industry.