Karupups’ Twitch Account Banned and Backlash Ensues
Karina “Karupups” Martsinkevich found herself in hot water recently when her Twitch account got banned after a livestream. The Lithuanian cosplayer had applied blackface makeup while portraying her favorite Apex Legends character, Lifeline.
The Ban and Social Media Debate
According to Russian news outlet, Cybersport, Karupups’ Twitch account received a 30-day ban for “incitement to hatred towards a person or a group of people.” The incident sparked a debate on social media, drawing attention to Karupups’ cosplay.
Apology and Explanation
After her Twitch ban, Karupups created a Twitter account and posted an apology video on YouTube. In the video, she expressed her ignorance regarding the connotations of blackface, stating that she only wanted to accurately portray Lifeline and meant no harm or offense. She emphasized that her intention was solely to have fun and pay homage to her favorite character.
Others Join the Debate
As the controversy unfolded, other cosplayers, including “Kayyybear,” who had previously cosplayed as Lifeline, gave their perspective. Kayyybear tweeted, “being black isn’t a costume you can wear when you want,” highlighting the importance of understanding the implications of blackface. Despite Karupups’ non-malicious intentions, it seems that she will remain banned on Twitch.
Karupups, Twitch, ban, blackface, cosplay, Apex Legends, Lifeline