Valkyrae is a popular YouTube streamer as well as part-owner of the gaming organization 100 Thieves. As one of a number of streamers to successfully move from Twitch to YouTube in the past couple of years, she has amassed a large fan base. Using her influence within the streaming community, she decided to launch a new line of skincare products called RFLCT. Unfortunately, these new products were met with backlash from her community and caused significant mental trauma to the streamer.
The reasons for the controversy regarding the RFLCT brand revolved around the claim that the skincare products could protect users from blue light. Many questioned not only the legitimacy of the promises of the brand but also the integrity of Valkyrae. The fallout from the controversy resulted in the YouTube streamer taking an extended break from streaming, except for one broadcast where she talked about the contentious product on October 23. However, she recently returned to streaming following the controversy and decided to reveal the toll the ordeal had on her mental health.
During a November 2 stream on YouTube, Valkyrae told her viewers the difficult situation she had been going through. Based on all the unfortunate events surrounding the controversy, the streamer worried about the future of her career and image. “I’m going to therapy… I’ve got a lot of trauma,” she said candidly to her audience.
She continued, describing the challenges she faced following the end of the RFLCT drama. “I’ve really been having a bad time… I do think I have mental damage from all of this, for sure,” she admitted. She went on to say that she became extremely depressed following the difficult events of the last couple of weeks.
However, it wasn’t all bad news from the streamer and co-owner of 100 Thieves. Beyond revealing she had been seeing a therapist, Valkyrae announced that she had separated from the RFLCT brand without having to deal with a lawsuit. In addition, she said that while she was “still in a terrible mental place,” she had confidence that she would eventually get better. She emphasized that she needed to give herself time to recover.
This news comes as the skincare company RFLCT reportedly shut down operations on October 30. While the company initially stood by its claims that the products protected gamers from the supposed harmful effects of blue light, it wasn’t enough to save the brand. Based on information disclosed by Valkyrae, the company is in the process of removing RFLCT brand products from over 400 stores.
It will be interesting to see where the streamer goes from here. While the situation was traumatic, Valkyrie said that “it’s been a big learning lesson.” She stated that she intends to be “more careful” regarding future decisions about her career.
Source: Dexerto