Sometimes I feel like I live in a different world. I try to keep up with streamers as best I can, not just because they form a significant part of the industry I cover, but also because they tend to speak to the most impressionable audiences. A large chunk of viewership for the top streamers are teenagers, and so it’s important to be aware of that when the likes of Adin Ross act as an Andrew Tate pipeline. But sometimes the world feels so distant, and recently, Chris from MrBeast is the latest to make me feel that way.

Chris is part of MrBeast’s entourage, occasionally appearing in videos themselves and getting involved in the team’s various stunts and schemes. They somehow have one million followers on Twitter, the platform they recently came out as trans on. After a fan unknowingly shared what was a before and after pic and asked ‘what happened’, Chris revealed that they are transgender and have been on HRT for a couple of months. Then an entire subsection of the internet exploded.

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It feels strange to say this when we have Elliot Page, Kim Petras, Chaz Bono, Hunter Schafer, and dozens more transgender people I would label as ‘actual’ celebrities, but Chris coming out might be one of the most significant moments in transgender pop culture. Chris reaches an audience none of those stars do, and while the youngest in our society tend to be the most tolerant and forward-thinking when it comes to progress and acceptance, trans kids also need a role model on their level like this.

Elliot Page in the umbrella academy

It would be fair to say that Chris is still near the start of their journey. Contrary to the narrative, starting HRT is not as simple as snapping your fingers, even for adults. But navigating all of that as a public figure is a minefield. Publicly, at least, Chris has not changed their name and has embraced ‘any pronouns’. This may remain Chris’ preferred way to be addressed forever, or it may change. But I can understand them taking it slow, especially if that means swimming through the minefield that is public right-wing discourse while also trying to transition and knowing your gender and changing appearance will continue to be a source of news and debate.

Chris is a pretty tame individual. I’ve written before that I don’t really like MrBeast’s whole vibe, from his pseudo-charity to his performative politics, culminating in his parasocial chocolate bars. MrBeast will love you if you clean up the shelves! Aside from being transgender, I can see nothing political about Chris’ existence online. MrBeast’s whole deal is ‘come on, no politics, let’s keep it light, now watch in wonder as I highlight the lack of universal healthcare for clicks!’, and from what I know of Chris, they’re no different. Being trans is also not inherently a left-wing position: just ask Caitlyn Jenner or Blaire White.

You can tell Chris is fairly tame because these people losing their minds are scrambling for anything to hold onto. They know Chris is popular and a big story, so they need to tear it down but they have nothing to cling to. Chris is married and has a kid, and the fact is no one knows what the future holds for them. Many couples remain together after one of them transitions and many cisgender couples get divorced.

mrbeast biting a feastables bar
via MrBeast

Having a parent come out as trans isn’t exactly a normal life but neither is having a parent who makes hundreds of thousands of dollars for standing in the background while some guy gives a waitress a car as a tip then makes her pay taxes on it.

Several right-wing loudmouths have leapt on potential issues with Chris’ family, despite having zero knowledge, because they just need to be angry. Whether motivated by hate, the grift for clicks, or a combination, the whole Bud Light drama (which, if you missed it, began with one 48-second Instagram story of a trans woman drinking beer) is dying down and they need a new story. So, the story is Chris. They’re trans now. That’s the story in three words. And still it thunders on.

Recently, MrBeast himself has gotten involved. Replying to a video from SunnyV2, another YouTube content creator called ‘Why Chris Will Soon Become A Nightmare For MrBeast’, MrBeast replied “Yeah, this is getting absurd. Chris isn’t my ‘nightmare’ he’s my fucken friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to piss me off”.

It’s a front foot response, and at least answers the selfish concerns some fans may have had - how will this impact MrBeast and his abilities to give Africans free shoes on camera? However, I do think it’s something of an orange flag to have your friend come out as trans, say ‘any pronouns’, then continue to use the default ones. ‘Any pronouns’, especially for people at the start of their transition, often means they’re a little apprehensive of using they or she because of fear of retribution or mocking. But, like everyone commenting on Chris’ marriage, I will concede that this is an overreach that lacks personal knowledge of Chris and MrBeast’s relationship.

MrBeast is an apolitical creature and this has sprung him into some sort of action, even if it’s of the Nancy Reagan, ‘this impacts me so now it’s a big deal’ flavour. I don’t think we can expect a hard swing to the left for MrBeast, but Chris’ continued presence in his videos, and MrBeast’s continued efforts to protect them, could be vital for trans kids watching.

Mr Beast

Chris deserves to be left alone. I know there’s a temptation with content creators to feel entitled to every aspect of their lives, and Chris has been bold to come out in response to a meme they could have easily ignored. Hopefully though, this storm will blow over soon and Chris and their family can navigate the upcoming complications, coming out the other side stronger and happier. That’s all we should ever want when trans people come out, and it’s a shame we’re so far away from that point.

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