If you spent any time on the "Minecraft YouTube" side of the internet around 2017, you definitely knew who they were. Thea Nicka Kornum and Benjamin Dreyer Vestergård—better known as Crainer. They weren't just another duo; they were the duo. Their dynamic was infectious, a mix of genuine relationship banter and the kind of chaotic energy that only Minecraft modpacks can produce.
But then, the uploads stopped. The joint channel went quiet. The "Thea and Crainer Minecraft" era didn't just fade; it seemingly vanished overnight, leaving millions of fans wondering where it all went wrong.
The Golden Era of Thea and Crainer Minecraft
Back in the day, the pair was unstoppable. They weren't just recording together; they were building a brand based on their real-life relationship. While Crainer was already a massive star through his collaborations with SSundee, his content with Thea felt different. It was more personal. It was "couple goals" before that phrase became a tired cliché.
They tackled everything. From Crazy Craft to Sky Factory, their videos usually involved Thea trying to actually play the game while Crainer spent half the time trolling her. It worked because it was authentic. You could tell they actually liked each other. Their joint channel, Thea & Crainer, racked up hundreds of millions of views. For a moment, it felt like they would be the face of the platform forever.
Why the Minecraft Collabs Stopped
The silence was deafening. One day they were posting "The Most Insane Thing We Have Ever Done," and the next, the joint content just... evaporated. Fans started digging.
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Honestly, the split wasn't a sudden explosion of drama like we see with influencers today. It was a slow burn of personal changes and shifting career paths. Thea, or Theagaming, eventually stopped uploading to her own channel entirely around 2020. By October 2021, her channel was deleted.
The reality is that their relationship ended years ago. While they were once a powerhouse, they moved in completely different directions. Thea stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her education and a life outside of the YouTube grind. She eventually enrolled in the Copenhagen Film and Theater School, choosing a path behind or on a different kind of stage rather than a gaming chair.
Crainer’s Shifting Alliances
While Thea exited the scene, Crainer’s career stayed in the headlines, though not always for the best reasons. After the era of Thea and Crainer Minecraft, Benjamin pivoted hard. He joined forces with Jelly and Slogo, forming the iconic (and later controversial) "Robust" trio.
However, Crainer’s history of "leaving" partners became a recurring theme for his audience.
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- The SSundee Split: Originally blamed on time zones, but later clouded by rumors of behind-the-scenes friction.
- The Lanceypooh Controversy: Allegations surfaced that Crainer had ghosted his early friend Lancey after using his help to gain a foothold in the US.
- The Robust Departure: Most recently, in 2024 and 2025, the gaming world watched as Crainer drifted in and out of the Robust group.
As of early 2026, Crainer has mostly moved on from the "couple-style" content that made him and Thea so famous. He’s currently in a relationship with Amalie, and they have two daughters, Karla and Laura. His life is fundamentally different now. The Minecraft videos he makes today are about high-energy challenges and group dynamics, a far cry from the cozy, banter-filled survival series of 2017.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Breakup
A lot of fans still comment on old re-uploads asking if they’ll ever do a reunion. Let’s be real: it’s not happening.
The biggest misconception is that there was some massive "Minecraft-shattering" fight that ended the channel. In reality, people just grow up. Thea wanted a normal life. Crainer wanted to keep the YouTube machine running. When your entire brand is built on being a "YouTube couple," and you aren't a couple anymore, the brand has to die. You can't fake that kind of chemistry for the algorithm without losing your soul.
The Impact on the Minecraft Community
Thea and Crainer Minecraft didn't just entertain; they pioneered a specific type of "vlog-style" gaming content. They brought a feminine perspective to a heavily male-dominated modded Minecraft scene at the time. Thea wasn't just a "guest" on Crainer's channel; she was a creator in her own right who held her own against some of the biggest personalities on the site.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking back at that era with nostalgia, there are a few things you can actually do to keep that vibe alive or find similar content:
- Follow Thea's New Journey: If you want to support her, look for her on Instagram. She’s moved on to the world of film and theater, and while she doesn't do Minecraft anymore, her creative journey is still worth following.
- Archived Content: Many fan channels have archived the original Thea and Crainer series. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the old modpacks, searching for "Thea and Crainer archives" is your best bet since the original channel is gone.
- New Duos: If you loved their dynamic, check out newer Minecraft creators like Aphmau or the various members of the Hermitcraft server who focus more on personality-driven storytelling rather than just "pro" gameplay.
The "Thea and Crainer" era is a closed chapter in the history of YouTube. It was a specific moment in time—2017 to 2018—where the platform felt smaller and more personal. While both have moved on to very different lives in 2026, the impact of their collaboration remains a foundational part of many people's childhood gaming memories.
To stay updated on Crainer's current projects, you should check his main channel for the "Squid Island" series, which represents his latest attempt to recapture that old-school Minecraft magic with a new cast of characters.