Twitch streamer Arky 'coming out' post was a prank: what actually happened

The viral announcement—and the reveal

A heartfelt coming-out post from Bryce “Arky” hit X (formerly Twitter) on August 29, 2025—and took off fast. The message said he’d struggled with the decision, that he wanted to tell the truth, and that he was “gay and proud of it.” Support poured in within minutes, pushing the story across the gaming world.

Big names backed him publicly. Nick “Nmplol” replied with a playful nod to supposed off-stream moments: “I knew it the way you and Arther were kissing that one time after stream. Then yall went on the jet skis together at sunset. Congrats man super proud of you!” Emily “Emiru” jumped in with “hell yeah arky!!!” Rachell “Valkyrae” wrote, “YAY ARKY!!!! happy and proud of you.” Ludwig Ahgren added, “congrats bro proud of you <3.”

Then the twist: during a later livestream, Arky said he didn’t write the post. He explained it was a prank pulled by fellow creators Nick “FaZe Lacy” and Jason “Jasontheween,” who had access to his account. The post was removed, but screenshots continued to circulate. The shift from celebration to confusion was whiplash for fans and creators who had rallied around what they thought was a real moment.

It’s not clear how long the prank had been planned or the exact circumstances that gave others access to Arky’s account, but his on-stream clarification drew a line: this was not his announcement, and it wasn’t his choice to share. For anyone who has followed creator culture, that line—between content and personal life—is where things often get messy.

Why did it land so hard? Coming out is one of the most personal things someone can do, and the community’s immediate, public support showed a strong instinct to stand with creators who share big life news. When that news turns out to be a bit, it doesn’t just feel like a joke—it feels like trust was bent to entertain.

• When: August 29, 2025, the post went live on Arky’s verified X account.
• What it said: that he was gay and had struggled with the decision to go public.
• Who reacted: creators including Nmplol, Emiru, Valkyrae, and Ludwig posted congratulations.
• What changed: Arky later said on stream it was a prank by FaZe Lacy and Jasontheween, who had account access.
• Status now: the post was deleted; screenshots and debate remain.

For fans, the takeaway is simple but frustrating: even high-profile posts from verified accounts can be misleading, whether through pranks, “bits,” or poor judgment. For creators, it’s a reminder that shared passwords and casual account access can blow up in unexpected ways.

Pranks, consent, and the line between content and harm

Creator communities thrive on collaboration and chaos. Pranks are part of the culture. But using someone else’s identity—especially for a fake coming-out—touches a nerve. It strips the target of control over deeply personal information and puts everyone who believed the message in an awkward spot.

There’s also the LGBTQ+ angle. Turning a coming-out moment into content reads differently than a harmless gag. Even if no malice is intended, the bit can feel like it treats identity as a prop. That’s why reactions split so fast: some laughed it off as standard creator hijinks; others called it out as crossing a line.

On the platform side, both X and Twitch discourage impersonation and deceptive behavior. Any time someone posts a false personal statement from another person’s account, they risk report-based enforcement and reputational damage, even if the intent was “just a joke.” Creators often operate in gray areas, but platforms don’t always see gray when accounts are misused.

The speed of misinformation made this worse. Big, emotional posts spread faster than walk-backs. Even after Arky’s clarification, the original screenshots kept traveling, detached from the update. That’s how rumors calcify: a dramatic first act, a quiet correction, and a long tail of confusion.

For Twitch streamer Arky, the damage calculation is twofold—personal and professional. Personally, having words put in your mouth about your identity is invasive. Professionally, it complicates brand trust with followers and partners who value clarity over chaos. When every post can be a bit, how do fans know what to believe?

Creators can reduce risk without killing the fun. Keep access tight, set boundaries, and treat personal topics as off-limits for pranks. If account-sharing is unavoidable during collabs or travel, use limited permissions and establish a “no post without approval” rule.

• Lock it down: enable app-based two-factor authentication and avoid SMS-only codes.
• Use permissions, not passwords: where possible, grant role-based access instead of sharing logins.
• Log the logins: review connected apps and sessions; revoke anything you don’t recognize.
• Set red lines: identities, medical info, finances, and family details aren’t content.
• Plan the undo: if a prank goes wrong, correct it fast and clearly across all platforms.

For fans, a little patience helps. If a creator posts major life news, wait for a follow-up on stream or across multiple platforms before treating it as confirmed. Celebrate once the person speaks in their own voice. It protects them—and you—from emotional whiplash.

As for Arky, he’s said his piece: the post wasn’t his. The original message is gone, but its ripple effects aren’t. The episode leaves the streaming scene with familiar questions: how far is too far, what’s fair game for a joke, and who gets to decide when the joke uses someone else’s identity. Those answers will shape the next “viral moment,” long after this one fades from the feed.