In typical chaotic fashion, Darren Jason Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, left millions of fans in disbelief with a shocking announcement that he was quitting YouTube — only to reveal it was all an elaborate April Fools' prank. The 21-year-old streamer, famous for his high-energy livestreams, once again proved he knows exactly how to troll the internet.
The Unexpected Announcement
US YouTuber and online streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr, better known as IShowSpeed (C) broadcasts to his followers during an event at the Admiralty Mall in Lagos. (AFP)
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On April 1, 2026, Speed uploaded a video titled "i'm quitting youtube", in which he delivered what sounded like devastating news.
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Appearing shirtless, he told fans: “I got bad news for everybody. I got to quit YouTube. I can’t do this anymore. I’m quitting. I’m stopping.”
The clip spread like wildfire, with many fans panicking and flooding social media with emotional reactions.
Then came the punchline: “And guess what? April Fools! Green apples!”
“Green apples” — Speed’s signature way of ending streams and pranks — instantly confirmed it was all a joke, leaving fans relieved.
As expected with any Speed prank, reactions were divided. Some fans fell for it completely, while others immediately suspected it was another April Fools’ gag, noting that he pulls similar stunts every year around this time.
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As expected with any Speed prank, reactions were divided. Some fans fell for it completely, while others immediately suspected it was another April Fools’ gag, noting that he pulls similar stunts every year around this time.
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One fan commented online: “He’s definitely doing content. Nobody in their right mind will quit an $800,000-a-month paying job for no reason.”
Another simply said: “If you actually believed this, just go to sleep.”
This wasn’t Speed’s first rodeo. In 2024, he posted a longer emotional video reflecting on buying a new car and house while celebrating subscriber milestones, only to yell “April Fools!” at the end.
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