Kick streamer MikeSmallsJR found himself in a storm—both literally and figuratively—after chasing Hurricane Milton, following what he believed was a $70,000 challenge issued by fellow streamer Adin Ross. The challenge, which involved livestreaming through the intense hurricane, took a dramatic turn when Ross clarified that the cash prize wasn’t for MikeSmallsJR, leading to a heated exchange between the two streamers.
Adin Ross, a prominent figure on the Kick streaming platform, had allegedly announced a $70,000 reward for content creators who could livestream themselves during Hurricane Milton. The storm was heading toward Florida with winds reaching 120 mph, and authorities had already urged residents in the Tampa area to evacuate. Despite the danger, two Kick streamers, MikeSmallsJR and Shoovy, decided to take on the challenge.
MikeSmallsJR set up his tent in Tampa, where he began livestreaming as the storm approached, ignoring evacuation orders. Meanwhile, fellow streamer Shoovy took things a step further, allegedly breaking into a building while broadcasting live, in a bid to capture the hurricane for the promised cash prize. Shoovy’s decision ultimately led to his arrest, with charges including armed burglary and trespassing.
As MikeSmallsJR was livestreaming from the heart of the storm, viewers were stunned when Adin Ross entered the chat to clarify that the $70,000 challenge was not intended for MikeSmallsJR. Ross explained that the reward was meant for other Kick streamers, specifically “sweater god” and “Sambond,” and urged MikeSmallsJR to evacuate for his safety.
In a message shared during the stream, Ross said:
“Evacuate bro. The 70K was intended for sweater god and Sambond, not you. You need to evacuate. Evacuate, bro.”
This unexpected clarification infuriated MikeSmallsJR, who had been risking his life in the hurricane in hopes of winning the reward. Venting his frustration live on stream, MikeSmallsJR accused Adin Ross of misleading him and abandoning him at a critical moment:
“Adin Ross just commented and said he is not paying me. What the fk? What? There is no fking way. Nia, fk you, fk you!”
He continued, expressing his outrage at Ross:
“I am out here risking my life to feed my family, and you bail on me like that? Nia, fk you! Fk that nia. Nia just scammed me, that’s fked up.”
While MikeSmallsJR was grappling with Ross’ clarification, Hurricane Milton was wreaking havoc along Florida’s west coast. By Wednesday evening, over 350,000 residents were without power, and tornado watches were in effect across the state. The storm’s dangerous conditions only heightened concerns for the streamers who had deliberately stayed behind to chase it.
Shoovy, the other Kick streamer involved, faced even greater consequences. He was arrested on multiple charges, including armed burglary and crisis profiteering. According to reports, Shoovy had allegedly broken into a building while livestreaming and resisted arrest, adding to the controversy surrounding the challenge.
In response to the backlash, Adin Ross took to social media to further clarify his stance. Posting on his alternate X (formerly Twitter) account (@AR15thed3mon), Ross reiterated that the $70,000 challenge was only directed at two specific streamers and that others should not have participated. He also urged anyone chasing the hurricane to leave immediately and prioritize their safety, writing:
“Bro. Nobody getting paid, leave. Evacuate, save yourself, brother.”
Ross’ clarification and advice came too late for MikeSmallsJR and Shoovy, who had already put themselves in harm’s way for the chance to win the prize.
MikeSmallsJR’s fallout with Adin Ross highlights the dangers of content creators taking extreme risks for the sake of internet fame or financial gain. While Ross claimed that the hurricane-chasing challenge was not meant for MikeSmallsJR, the lack of clear communication left the streamer feeling scammed and betrayed. As Hurricane Milton continues to make landfall, the incident serves as a reminder of the real-life consequences of chasing viral content in dangerous situations.