Ninja Opens Up About Trolls, Declining Viewership, and His New Charity Mission

Tyler “Ninja” Blevins has always been one of the most recognizable names in streaming, but even icons face the reality of shifting audiences and relentless criticism.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Ninja reflected on the volatile nature of online fame, admitting that trolls constantly remind him of his decline in viewership, despite his continued presence as one of the industry’s most influential figures.

At his peak in the late 2010s, Ninja redefined what it meant to be a streamer. He became the first to surpass 10 million followers on Twitch, drew global headlines for streaming Fortnite alongside Drake, and even saw his likeness immortalized in Epic Games’ battle royale as an in-game skin. His explosive success wasn’t just a personal milestone – it helped push gaming culture deeper into the mainstream.

But the streaming landscape is fickle. Today, Ninja’s live streams average around 7,000–8,000 concurrent viewers across Twitch and YouTube, far from the six-figure numbers he once commanded. He admits this drop is hard to ignore, especially when detractors are eager to point it out in real time. “It’s literally every day that I’m getting berated online,” Ninja said. “The last couple of years have been rough.”

Some of that decline, he argues, is tied to Fortnite’s waning popularity. The game that launched him into superstardom doesn’t dominate culture like it once did, and because his brand became so deeply tied to it, his own trajectory shifted when Fortnite’s momentum slowed. Critics point to this as the core of his challenge: while creators like Kai Cenat or IShowSpeed diversified their content and appeal to younger, evolving audiences, Ninja remained too anchored to a single title.

Still, the numbers don’t erase his accomplishments. With 19.2 million Twitch followers and 23.7 million subscribers on YouTube, Ninja’s community remains enormous by any measure. He has also weathered platform upheavals, from his controversial move to Microsoft’s now-defunct Mixer in 2019 to his eventual return to Twitch and expansion into YouTube in 2020. Few streamers have successfully navigated such transitions and remained relevant.

For Ninja, the criticism and trolling are part of the package, but he insists the love for streaming is still there. “I’m a gamer and entertainer at heart – it’s in my blood,” he said. While talk of retirement circulates, he shows little interest in leaving the stage. His perspective seems grounded in resilience: you can’t always be at the top, but you can still do what you love.

Adding a new dimension to his career, Ninja recently launched the “Gaming for Cause” charity marathon, inspired by his melanoma diagnosis earlier this year. The 24-hour livestream aims to raise awareness about skin cancer while also contributing funds toward research and treatment. “Me and my wife were going to give to this cause no matter what,” Ninja said, noting it’s not just about donating money but also creating awareness for an issue that will remain deeply personal. As of publication, the event had already raised over $117,000 of its $250,000 goal across Twitch and YouTube.

Ninja’s story reflects both the fragility and durability of internet stardom. The glory days of record-breaking Fortnite streams may be behind him, but he continues to adapt, whether through philanthropy, maintaining his loyal community, or simply pressing “Go Live” despite the noise. For every troll reminding him of dwindling numbers, there are still thousands tuning in – not out of nostalgia, but because they still find something worth watching.

Perhaps the lesson from Ninja’s journey isn’t about clinging to past heights but redefining success in a space that evolves by the hour. Streamers rise and fall, games trend and fade, but for those who truly love the craft, relevance isn’t always measured in numbers. For Ninja, the trolls may never stop, but neither, it seems, will he.