Internet relationships are weird. One day you’re watching two people flirt on a laggy Discord call in front of 100,000 people, and the next, they’ve completely vanished from each other's digital lives. If you've spent any time in the corner of the internet occupied by Darren Watkins Jr.—better known as IShowSpeed—you definitely remember the "Ava" era. It was a chaotic, loud, and weirdly endearing saga that defined Speed’s early rise to superstardom. But looking back from 2026, the story of Ava and IShowSpeed is more than just a footnote; it was the blueprint for how modern streamers turn personal connections into global content.
Let’s be real. Speed’s energy is a lot. Most people can’t handle it. But Ava—known to many as Ava Hinojosa or "stackinbarbie"—was one of the few who actually matched his frequency. They weren't just "dating" for the cameras; they were a cultural moment for a generation of viewers who grew up on Twitch and YouTube.
The Viral Spark: How Ava and IShowSpeed Met
It feels like a lifetime ago, but it all started on those legendary Discord "date" streams. Speed was still finding his footing as the king of IRL chaos, and Ava was the girl who could actually take his "barking" and give it right back. Honestly, that was the charm. While other guests would get offended or awkward, Ava played into the bit.
She wasn't just some random girl from a dating app. Ava was already a burgeoning influencer from Sacramento with her own vibe—fashion, comedy, and a very distinct sense of humor. When she first appeared, fans were convinced it was scripted. Maybe it was. But the chemistry? That felt authentic enough to keep millions of people hitting the "Remind Me" button on every scheduled stream.
👉 See also: The Real Story Behind Love and Theft Songs and Why We Keep Stealing Melodies
They did everything. They played Fortnite. They argued about nonsense. They had these "e-dates" that were basically masterclasses in cringe-comedy. At one point, Speed even "exposed" the relationship, which, in streamer-speak, usually just means he admitted they were talking off-camera. It gave the fans exactly what they wanted: a narrative to follow.
Why the Fans Obsessed Over Them
The internet loves a "will they, won't they" story. Especially when it involves someone as unpredictable as Speed.
- The Contrast: Speed is pure, unadulterated chaos. Ava was often the "straight man" to his antics, providing a grounded (well, mostly grounded) foil to his screams.
- The Surprise Factor: Every time they hopped on a call, you didn't know if they were going to profess their love or start a screaming match over a video game.
- The "Real" Moments: Every so often, the persona would slip. A quiet laugh or a genuine smile would peek through, and the "shipping" community would go absolutely feral.
Moving On: Life After the Stream
Nothing lasts forever, especially not "relationships" built on the foundation of a 1080p webcam feed. By late 2024 and heading into 2025, the mentions of Ava on Speed’s channel began to dwindle. Speed moved on to massive global tours—Japan, South Korea, and most recently his record-breaking "Speed Does Africa" tour in early 2026.
💡 You might also like: The One First Song Justin Bieber Ever Released That Changed Pop Culture Forever
Just this month, January 2026, we saw Speed making history by being the first person to livestream from inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. He’s hitting 48 million subscribers and racing cheetahs in Kenya. He’s a global icon now. The era of sitting in his bedroom "dating" girls on Discord feels like a different universe.
As for Ava, she didn't just disappear. She’s carved out her own lane. If you check her socials, she’s still deep in the influencer game, focusing on lifestyle and fashion. She even did a "No Jumper" interview a while back where she kept it 100% about her experience with the "streaming house" culture. She admitted that being on those streams was a way to get her name out there—a strategic move that worked. She’s been open about her identity as a trans woman, navigating the often-toxic world of internet commentary with a lot of grace.
Addressing the Confusion: Ava vs. Ava Kris Tyson
We need to clear something up because Google searches get these two mixed up constantly. When people search for "Ava" in the context of big YouTubers, they often stumble upon the controversy surrounding Ava Kris Tyson (formerly of the MrBeast crew).
These are not the same person.
🔗 Read more: Who Did Vinnie Vincent Play For: The Rollercoaster Career of the Ankh Warrior
The Ava associated with IShowSpeed is Ava Hinojosa. The drama involving the MrBeast team—which involved serious allegations and a massive fallout in mid-2024—has absolutely nothing to do with Speed or the Ava he was "dating." It’s a common mistake, but a big one. One was a lighthearted, comedic stream dynamic; the other was a platform-shaking scandal that ended a decade-long partnership.
The Actionable Truth for Fans
If you're still looking for a "reunion" stream, don't hold your breath. The digital footprint of Ava and IShowSpeed is a time capsule. It represents a specific era of the internet where the lines between reality and entertainment were blurred beyond recognition.
Here is what you should actually do if you want to follow their current journeys:
- Follow the Content, Not the Ship: Speed is currently in the middle of his most ambitious tour yet. If you want to see where he is right now, check his "Speed Does Africa" VODs. He’s currently moving through Nigeria and Senegal.
- Support Ava’s Independent Brand: If you liked her energy, follow her on Instagram or TikTok under her "stackinbarbie" handle. She’s doing her own thing and isn't just "Speed’s ex-internet girlfriend."
- Check the Dates: When you see "leak" videos on YouTube claiming they are back together, look at the upload date and the quality. 99% of them are re-uploads of 2021-2022 Discord calls designed to farm views from nostalgic fans.
The reality is that Speed has outgrown the "Discord dating" phase. He’s a world-traveling, record-breaking entertainer who is more likely to be seen with Cristiano Ronaldo or the President of Kenya than on a webcam date. And that’s okay. That’s growth. We’ll always have the clips of him barking at his monitor while Ava laughs in the background, but the show has moved on.
To keep up with the most accurate updates on Speed's current 2026 tour, stick to his verified YouTube channel and avoid the "drama" channels that still use Ava's face for clickbait. If you're looking for Ava Hinojosa's latest projects, her fashion collaborations are currently her main focus. Separate the two and appreciate them for the individual creators they’ve become.