Ninja, the well-known Fortnite player & gaming influencer, whose real name is Tyler Blevins, made a surprising announcement on X recently. He revealed that he’d been diagnosed with skin cancer. He dropped the sad news in a heartbreaking post making the rounds on X.
“Alright I’m still in a bit of shock but want to keep you all updated,” Ninja wrote who has a record 16 million Twitch followers & 24 million Youtube subscribers.
“Alright, I’m still in a bit of shock but want to keep you all updated. A few weeks ago I went in to a dermatologist for an annual skin/mole check that Jess proactively scheduled for me,” he shared.
“There was a mole on the bottom of my foot that they wanted to remove just to be careful.
He continued: “I had another dark spot appear near it, so today they biopsied that and removed a larger area around the melanoma with the hopes that under the microscope they will see clear non-melanoma edges and we will know we got it.
“It came back as melanoma, but they are optimistic that we caught it in the early stages.”
Ninja’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 to $40 million. During his peak fame in the Fortnite era, Ninja reportedly earned multi-millions of dollars annually from streaming on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Mixer (prior to its shutdown), as well as from endorsements and brand partnerships.
What is Melanoma?
Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can spread to other parts of the body. While exposure to ultraviolet light from sources like the sun is a common cause, factors such as age, skin paleness, moles, and family history can contribute to its development.
Surgery is a common treatment for melanoma, but its effectiveness depends on the cancer’s spread and progression. In Ninja’s case, the connection between sunlight and foot melanoma remains unclear, as the foot is typically less exposed to UV.
Support & Well Wishes for Ninja
Despite the uncertainty, many have sent their well wishes to Ninja and his wife, praising Jess for her proactive approach to health. “Praying for you Tyler. W Jess for making that get looked at,” one person wrote, while another added, “Hoping for the best. Lots of love to Jess for being proactive as well.”
“I’m grateful to have hope in finding this early, but please take this as a PSA to get skin checkups.”
Following Ninja’s announcement, his wife Jessica Blevins also posted on X:
“Crazy butterfly effect moment—I probably wouldn’t have started scheduling annual skin checkups yet if we didn’t move to Florida. Foot melanoma is not sun-related, so it would have been there anyways and we might not have found it. Thank God.
The tragic update had the gaming community reeling.
“Hoping for the best,” wrote fellow Twitch streamer SypherPK. “Lots of love to Jess for being proactive as well.”
Canadian gamer and YouTube streamer Nick EH 30 added, “Sending the best vibes your way!”
Meanwhile, gaming enthusiast and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also sent Ninja his best wishes, writing: “Praying for you brother.”
“Also, thank you for your outpouring love. I’m here to be strong for @Ninja and give him all the help and support he needs! We feel strong knowing God is walking with us through all of this!”
Ninja’s Massive Fanbase
Ninja, boasts a massive following across various platforms. As of the latest available data:
- Twitch: Ninja has over 16 million followers on Twitch, where he initially gained widespread recognition for his gaming streams.
- YouTube: On YouTube, Ninja has around 24 million subscribers, where he shares highlights of his gaming sessions, vlogs, and other content.
- Twitter: Ninja has a significant presence on Twitter, with over 7 million followers. He often shares updates, announcements, and interacts with his fans on the platform.
- Instagram: On Instagram, Ninja has amassed over 15 million followers, where he shares glimpses of his personal life, gaming content, and sponsored posts.
- Facebook: Ninja has a substantial following on Facebook as well, with over 4 million followers. He utilizes the platform to connect with fans and share updates about his gaming endeavors.
Overall, Ninja’s combined following across these platforms reflects his widespread popularity and influence within the gaming community and beyond.
Journey to Success
After first joining Twitch in 2011, Ninja quickly became a fixture on the platform for his viral play-throughs of the multiplayer game Fortnite. The YouTuber’s videos became so popular that players can pay to make their characters resemble him.
His rise to fame accelerated during the surge in popularity of Fortnite, a game that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Ninja capitalized on the game’s popularity by streaming his gameplay sessions, attracting a massive audience of viewers eager to watch him play and interact with him live.
Ninja’s peak of fame occurred during the height of the Fortnite craze, around 2018 and 2019. During this time, he achieved numerous milestones, such as breaking viewership records on Twitch, collaborating with celebrities like Drake and Marshmello, and appearing on mainstream media outlets like The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He became one of the most recognizable figures in gaming, transcending the gaming community to reach a wider audience.
Additionally, Ninja’s success led to lucrative sponsorship deals, partnerships with brands, and opportunities for merchandise sales. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in gaming and played a significant role in popularizing esports and live streaming as mainstream entertainment.
While Ninja’s fame has somewhat declined since the peak of the Fortnite era, he remains a prominent figure in the gaming industry and continues to have a dedicated fan base.