FaZe Clan sides with Grace Van Dien over FaZe Rain clash
FaZe Clan, the entertainment and esports company, is caught in a high-profile internal feud following the controversial signing of American actress and Twitch streamer, Grace Van Dien - known for her role as Chrissy in Stranger Things.
The decision by the management has been criticized by FaZe Clan's creator group, specifically Nordan "FaZe Rain" Shat, who argues that van Dien is a cultural misfit for the esports giant.
FaZe Rain stirred the pot, leaking information claiming that Van Dien was only signed due to her Stranger Things fame, leading to backlash from zealous fans. Consequently, Van Dien alleges that she received death threats due to these revelations, blaming the founder's group messaging.
Controversy escalates on social media
As the dispute amplified, it became increasingly personal, with arguments spilling over onto social media platforms. Notable streaming community members, including Hasan "HasanAbi" Piker and Ludwig Ahgren, have weighed in on the discussion.
The drama culminated in a face-to-face confrontation between Rain and Van Dien, which reportedly ended with Van Dien in tears, threatening to leave FaZe Clan if the footage of their confrontation was released.
In response to the escalating conflict, FaZe Clan released a statement via Twitter supporting Van Dien:
"FaZe is no stranger to contrasting viewpoints and passionate opinions on the future of the brand. Recruitment has always drawn that out. But make no mistake, the mistreatment of our newest member is in no way OK. Grace joined in hopes to bring her voice to FaZe & we stand by her."
FaZe Clan management and founder's public battle
The management's public support of van Dien sparked further backlash, this time, from the clan's founders. Ricky "FaZe Banks" Banks to the tweet with, "You guys lost the f***ing plot," while FaZe Rain continued his tirade with, "Ratio shut ur dumb*ss up Cbass."
In the fallout of this internal clash, Van Dien has made her Twitter profile private and removed any reference to FaZe Clan from her bio, raising speculation about her continued association with the organisation.
FaZe Clan, initially built on a community of trick shooters in the popular FPS IP Call of Duty, became a YouTube phenomenon in the early 2010s and eventually developed into a lifestyle and esports brand.
The organisation went public just over a year ago and now grapples with a plummeting stock price amidst the internal discord. FaZe's stock has dipped by more than 77% in the last six months, casting a further shadow over its future as it navigates the turmoil within its ranks.
FaZe Clan's ongoing conflict and the resulting negative publicity present a daunting challenge for the brand, which is already under significant financial strain.
