[Guide] Sam Pepper: Why Is He Considered Controversial?

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The Basics

Sam Pepper is recognized as a controversial personality within the world of livestream and content creation, with numerous debatable actions and pranks leading to his notorious reputation. This 35-year-old streamer on Kick, originally hailing from Britain, has managed to be at the heart of multiple controversies throughout his career, earning him a high degree of notoriety.

The Birth of Sam Pepper’s Controversial Streak

Pepper's journey into the digital world began in 2010 when he dabbled in creating vines. His encounters with controversy began to intensify following his transition onto the YouTube platform. His content primarily revolved around pranks, varying in degrees of extremity, performed amongst the public. This era of controversial pranks is what put Pepper's name on the map, even though many criticized these antics for their extreme nature.

The year 2014 marked the escalation of his controversies as multiple women accused him of sexual harassment through various forms, including solicitation of explicit pictures from a minor. One of the significant factors that surged global criticism toward him was his “Killing Best Friend Prank” video, which involved the staged kidnapping and mock execution of his friend—drawing comparisons to the violent executions carried out by ISIS. The severity and drastically negative impact of this video led to calls for the removal of Sam Pepper’s channel from YouTube, culminating in a petition that amassed over 100,000 signatures. An unexpected reaction from Pepper was his creation of a GoFundMe campaign, where he demanded $1.5 million to delete his own channel.

Main Controversies Surrounding Sam Pepper

The scandals involving Pepper didn't stop there. In September 2014, the infamous video, “Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank,” starring Sam, was the epicenter of a heated controversy. In the video, Pepper was shown approaching women on the street to ask for directions, only to pinch their buttocks later. Though the video was immediately slammed as an act of sexual harassment, Sam claimed it was crafted to, ironically, highlight the issue of sexual harassment.

Furthermore, Sam found himself implicated in a notorious cryptocurrency scandal with fellow influencer Frazier Khattri, a member of FaZe Clan, in 2021. Accused of masterminding the scam which caused substantial financial losses for investors, Pepper was put under the scrutiny of prominent YouTuber and online investigator Coffeezilla, along with the disapproval of Frazier Khattri. Despite all allegations, Pepper maintained his innocence, insisting that his role was merely advisory.

Adding to his cascade of controversies, in December 2024, Pepper was accused of rape by fellow streamer Ac7ionMan, an accusation that according to Ac7ionMan, barred him from entering the United States. The community has yet to hear any response from Pepper about these charges.

The Recent Years and Personal Life

On December 23, 2024, Sam Pepper took to X to announce his sexuality, coming out as gay publicly. This revelation resulted in a cocktail of reactions, ranging from shock to acceptance by those who had foreseen it. The colorful and tumultuous life that Sam Pepper leads continues to hold a contentious status within the online community.

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