Under fire after OnlyFans leak, Twitch streamer Sketch posts apology for a past that doesn't really need one: 'That was a dark time, [a] rough time'

An image of Sketch, on Twitch, apologising for his previous OnlyFans account.
(Image credit: thesketchreal on Twitch.)

Popular Twitch streamer Kylie Cox, otherwise known as Sketch (who made a name for himself playing Madden NFL 24) has confessed to being at the heart of a recent "controversy". I put controversy in quotes there, because the issue at hand isn't really an issue at all—unless you're in the public eye, in which case, certain people might make it one.

On July 7, Cox—who has over 1.2 million followers on Twitch (and more on Instagram and TikTok) had several images and webcam videos from a former OnlyFans account—which is implied by Sketch to have been his own—spread across social media against his will, in which Cox had sex with men.

FaZe Banks, CEO of esports company FaZe Clan and a supporter of Cox, shared several texts with him, showing his unconditional support while adding: "Sketch was my homie yesterday, he’s my homie today, he’ll be my homie tomorrow. You guys are fckin weirdos."

The weirdos Banks is addressing here? Well, the internet at large for one, but also other streamers—some with hundreds of thousands of followers—criticising Cox for "living a lie", and other deeply unpleasant things I won't share here.

Cox went live the next day—the vod of which can be seen below, as shared by riri on YouTube.

Cox begins the video in high spirits, joking: "Elephant in the room… I got a haircut," before confirming that the OnlyFans videos had, in fact, been made with his involvement. "Two years ago I did some stuff—I'm sorry if you've seen some of the stuff. Y'know, I'm a changed person … I did not have sexual relations with that man. I'm just kidding, I did. Possibly. Cat's outta the bag."

Cox then goes on to apologise for his past actions, stating that he was "dealing with some addiction problems, a couple of 'em," and reassuring his audience that he was "dead serious about not doing it again. That was a dark time, [a] rough time."

Cox's past work, he says, is something he'd dreaded coming to light for two entire years: "I've been living under the threat of that coming out … I'll tell you what, weight lifted off my shoulders. God is good, God is good, all the time."

He continues to credit FaZe Banks alongside his parents for helping him out of the dark place said leaks placed him in: "Plan A was to—I will say candidly—was to [probably] call it quits if this ever came out, but some people saved me … If I was alone and I was at my house I probably wouldn't be talking to you right now.

"People like FaZe, Banks especially, and my friends that I've made over the past couple of years came and they saved me. I don't know what I was gonna do."

I'm not familiar with Cox's streams, personally. It might surprise you to find out I'm not a big sports guy, even when it comes to videogames—but this entire thing is heartbreaking. Cox was likely outed against his will. I only say "likely" here because Cox has not, to my knowledge, confirmed or denied his actual sexual orientation (and is under no obligation to), but whether he was financially pressured or coerced into his prior work while remaining heterosexual, the impact on his life remains largely similar.

What Cox implies—that he was struggling with addiction and needed money—is deeply concerning. However, it goes without saying that having done some sex work in the past should not be a big deal, either. Markiplier has an OnlyFans, for goodness' sake. Who cares? To see Cox talk about his past as if he's anything other than a victim here is rough.

If there's a silver lining to this, though, it's that Cox's popularity appears to have temporarily pierced a veil of homophobic behaviour online, as seen in this tweet sharing TikToker Carter Folian's video talking, clumsily, about how the "Sketch situation" has shifted his views on LGBTQ+ individuals to the tune of 30,000 likes. I'll believe it when I see it, given Foilan still misgenders a trans person in the video.

I don't know. To say that this horror show will have a positive impact feels like a pyrrhic victory when it should've been a nothing issue in the first place. This isn't Dr. Disrespect messaging a minor, it's a person in the public eye daring to have a history and feeling like they have to quit their job—or worse—over it.

TOPICS
Harvey Randall
Staff Writer

Harvey's history with games started when he first begged his parents for a World of Warcraft subscription aged 12, though he's since been cursed with Final Fantasy 14-brain and a huge crush on G'raha Tia. He made his start as a freelancer, writing for websites like Techradar, The Escapist, Dicebreaker, The Gamer, Into the Spine—and of course, PC Gamer. He'll sink his teeth into anything that looks interesting, though he has a soft spot for RPGs, soulslikes, roguelikes, deckbuilders, MMOs, and weird indie titles. He also plays a shelf load of TTRPGs in his offline time. Don't ask him what his favourite system is, he has too many.

Read more
Dr Disrespect
YouTube's explanation for why Dr Disrespect can start making money on his channel again doesn't add up
Streamer Kai Cenat makes a sign at the camera.
Streamers including Kai Cenat named in Drake's UMG lawsuit for their reaction videos instantly respond with reaction videos: 'The biggest Ls come from not knowing how to take an L'
assassin's creed shadows review
Assassin's Creed Shadows streamer goes viral after confronting whining commenters: 'Normal people don't get upset about this sh***'
deadrop
Midnight Society, the studio co-founded by Dr Disrespect, is closing its doors the same day the disgraced streamer says his YouTube channel is being remonetized
The streamer Emiru gives the peace sign to camera.
Three women livestreaming on Twitch harassed by man who then goes for them while making repeated death threats: 'This happens off-camera to women all the time'
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 13: Elon Musk listens as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump addresses a House Republicans Conference meeting at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. As is tradition with incoming presidents, Trump is traveling to Washington, DC to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House as well as meet with Republican congressmen on Capitol Hill. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Elon Musk and Asmongold are beefing over who the best gamer really is, and no matter who wins, we lose
Latest in Gaming Industry
Monster Hunter Wilds' stockpile master studying a manifest
As layoffs and studio closures continue to deathroll the western AAA industry, analyst points out 5 of 8 major Japanese companies hit all-time share prices this year
A still from a video announcement of Game Informer's return, featuring the magazine's Halo 2 issue.
Game Informer is back from the dead: 'The whole team has returned'
Typing on internet search toolbar: What am I doing?
How a Microsoft exec managed to pitch Microsoft Word through the genius tactic of being able to actually use it in a 'type-off' demanded by clients: 'I was the only one who'd actually been a secretary'
Half-Life wallpaper - Gordon Freeman
Former Valve exec says the company struggled to sell Half-Life until coming up with the ultimate 'one simple trick' of marketing manoeuvres: slapping a 'Game of the Year' sticker on the box
Gabe Newell looks into the camera, behind him is a prop of a turret from Team Fortress 2.
Gabe Newell's cult of personality is intense, but a Valve exec who worked with him says his superpower is how he 'delighted in people on the team just being really good at what they did'
The Spy from Team Fortress 2 holds up a folder with an accusatory expression.
One of Valve's original executives shares a very simple secret to its success: 'You can't use up your credibility' by trying to make bad games work
Latest in News
The heroes are attacked by monsters
Pillars of Eternity is getting turn-based combat to mark its 10th anniversary, and that means PC Gamer editors will soon be arguing about combat mechanics again
Image of Ronaldo from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer
It doesn't really make sense that soccer star Ronaldo is now a Fatal Fury character, but if you follow the money you can see how it happened
Junah beginning a battle in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Today's RPG fans are 'very sensitive to feeling like they wasted time' when they die, says Metaphor: ReFantazio battle planner—but Atlus still made combat hard anyway
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'