Content creator Gloria Ntazola has spoken out against online criticism directed at young men who showed excitement during YouTuber IShowSpeed’s Kenya visit, urging the public to stop mocking men for openly expressing emotion.
In an Instagram post shared on Monday, January 12, 2025, Ntazola pushed back against claims that the men were simping or behaving excessively, arguing that their reactions were normal and human.
“Hi, I think we should not mock boys for being overly excited. I mean Speed. I mean, we should let people live, for real,” she wrote.
Normal human reaction
Ntazola argued that excitement around meeting a global celebrity should not be gendered or ridiculed, pointing out that many people would react the same way if placed in a similar situation.
“I’ll be so excited if I met Rihanna as well. It’s normal. Let’s be nice to each other,” she added.
She went further, calling out what she described as forced emotional restraint online.
“Be fr. You met your fave celeb today, won’t you be happy? This nonchalant behaviour, goshhhh,” Ntanzola wrote.
Her remarks come amid mockery on Kenyan social media following viral clips of male fans surrounding IShowSpeed in Nairobi, chanting, running alongside his convoy, and celebrating his presence across the city.
Addressing the criticism directly, Ntazola dismissed claims that the men were simping, saying their reactions reflected joy rather than weakness.
“They’re not simping. They’re just happy,” she stated.
She questioned why male excitement is often policed more harshly online, while similar reactions from women are widely accepted or celebrated.
Call for emotional openness
Ntazola challenged what she described as Kenya’s growing culture of emotional detachment, calling for a shift in how people view vulnerability and joy.
“Can we learn to have emotions in 2026 and quit this nonchalant behaviour?” she asked.
IShowSpeed was in Kenya as part of his ongoing African tour, drawing massive crowds wherever he went. His Nairobi stream was packed with high-energy moments and went on to rank among the biggest of the tour by live views and subscriber growth.
Speed repeatedly praised Kenyan fans, openly saying the country had delivered his best experience so far after visiting eight of the 20 African countries on his itinerary.
During the Kenya streams alone, he gained over 360,000 subscribers, a surge he celebrated live. Widely regarded as one of the world’s biggest YouTubers, the 20-year-old commands a huge Gen Z and Gen Alpha following and is expected to continue his Kenyan adventure on Monday, January 12, 2026.
