Kai Cenat Headlines TIME100 Creators List, Joined by IShowSpeed, Pokimane, and Typical Gamer

Image Credit: Kai Cenat, Pokimane, Ishowspeed, and @Typicalgamer

TIME has revealed its first-ever TIME100 Creators list, a curated collection of the most influential digital creators in the world right now.

At the center of it all? None other than Kai Cenat, Twitch’s breakout star, who also graces the magazine’s global cover in a feature-packed issue that celebrates the evolving power of internet personalities.

It’s a big moment not just for Cenat, but for the creator economy as a whole—an industry that now includes over 67 million creators globally, according to a recent estimate by Goldman Sachs. Whether through streaming, vlogging, comedy skits, or IRL content, creators today aren’t just entertaining—they’re building brands, influencing pop culture, and even changing how people consume media.

Let’s break down why Kai and a few other familiar faces from the gaming world made the cut.

TIME100 Creators List Featuring Streamers and Gamers

Kai Cenat

• Age: 23

• Platform: Twitch (18M+ followers)

• What He Does: Improvised skits, wild gaming marathons, celebrity interviews, and massive livestream events like Streamer University, Mafiathon

• Highlight: Shattered Twitch’s subscriber record during “Mafiathon 2” with over 727,000 paying subs

• Estimated Earnings: Over $3.6M annually from Twitch subscriptions, plus major brand deals (Nike, McDonald’s, State Farm)

Kai’s story is the kind of rise-from-nothing tale that feels made for the big screen. He grew up bouncing between shelters in the Bronx, leaned into gaming and YouTube during his school years, and eventually dropped out of college to chase a dream. Fast forward to now, and he’s one of the most recognizable faces on the internet.

His recent Streamer University event, which brought over 130 content creators to a mansion for a live-streamed content bootcamp, showcased not just his entertainment chops but also his knack for building community.

And despite the laughs, he opens up about the pressure behind the scenes. “I’ll be really tired and drained,” he tells TIME. “But in my mind, if I say, ‘Just keep going,’ I’m gonna just keep going.”

IShowSpeed

• Real Name: Darren Jason Watkins Jr.

• Platform: YouTube (41.8M+ subs), Twitch, Rumble

• Known For: Loud reactions, soccer obsession, backflips on stream, viral chaos

• Big Moments: Met Cristiano Ronaldo, co-hosted “Kai ‘N Speed Show,” participated in the 2025 Sidemen Charity Match

Speed is energy personified. His streams are unpredictable, dramatic, and endlessly entertaining. Whether he’s screaming over Five Nights at Freddy’s, chasing Ronaldo around Europe, or flipping into his camera setup, Speed keeps his fans hooked—and often makes headlines while doing it.

Yes, he’s had his share of controversies, but there’s no denying his cultural pull, especially with Gen Z audiences who live for the high-stakes, high-reward energy of creators like him.

Currently, he's on his second European tour and has also promised to host his first-ever Fortnite tournament soon.

Pokimane

• Real Name: Imane Anys

• Platform: Twitch (9.4M), YouTube (6.6M)

• Content: League of Legends, Valorant, IRL chats, vlogs

• Achievements: Top female streamer on Twitch, co-founder of RTS, launched a snack brand (Myna Snacks)

Pokimane has been in the game for over a decade, and her presence on the TIME100 list shows that staying power still counts. Known for her authenticity, polished content, and vocal support for diversity in the streaming world, she’s become a role model—especially for women in gaming.

Even as newer creators rise, Pokimane continues to evolve her brand, balancing content creation with entrepreneurship and advocacy.

Typical Gamer

• Real Name: Andre Rebelo

• Platform: YouTube (15.8M), Twitch (900k)

• Focus: GTA V, Fortnite, daily gaming uploads

• Why He Stands Out: Family-friendly content, low drama, consistent uploads

Not everyone in the spotlight is loud or controversial—and Typical Gamer proves that. He’s been grinding content since 2008, especially in the GTA V and Fortnite space. His clean style and reliable uploads have earned him a loyal following, and his inclusion on TIME’s list is a nod to the creators who succeed by playing the long game.

TIME’s Take on the Creator Boom

TIME’s Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs points out that digital creators aren’t just entertainers anymore. They’re entrepreneurs, influencers, and culture-makers. “They are changing what we watch, how we spend our time, what we buy, and how we vote,” he wrote in his letter to readers.

These creators now rival—and in some cases, outperform—traditional celebrities in reach and impact. With platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok offering direct access to millions, creators have bypassed the old Hollywood gatekeeping and are building their own empires.

Though some streamers are labeled as “esports personalities,” these picks are foremost content creators who’ve helped build massive gaming communities. If you’re after traditional pro players—think Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok or Johan “N0tail” Sundstein—you won’t find them here. Instead, TIME spotlights the influencers driving viewership and culture around competitive gaming.

According to TIME CEO Jessica Sibley, this moment is all about recognizing creators who are “inspiring communities and setting new standards” across the internet.

To celebrate the list, TIME is hosting a TIME100 Creators Launch Party in New York City on July 10. The event will feature appearances from creators across various niches, including food critic Keith Lee, beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira, and finance guru Vivian Tu.