'I shouldn't just say no to any collab like that': Pokimane addresses creator controversy and regrets

Time of India

2 days ago

Image via: Getty
In November 2023, Imane 'Pokimane' Anys, one of Twitch's most prominent content creators, joined their ranks when she announced her cookie brand, Myna Snacks. The reception was anything but sweet.
Fans and critics alike couldn't believe the exorbitant pricing of the product $28 for a four-pack of cookies.
On her first livestream after launch, Pokimane went on the offensive against her critics, quote-tweeting complaints with responses such as 'If you're a broke boy, just say so.' The backlash, especially from her fanbase, was as swift as it was vicious, with critics accusing Beyoncé of dumbing down her supporters.
A Shift in Tone Two Years Later
Fast forward to June 29, 2025, almost two years after the fact, Pokimane put out an ambitious and deeply personal 25 minute video called setting the record straight about your assumptions on her YouTube channel. In that video, for the first time, she spoke about how the Myna Snacks fallout had continued to affect her, how it made her question herself, and how emotionally draining it was.
'I feel like now that it's been two years, and I've been able to really think about it, think about the mistakes I made… I've moved from like, 'Oh my God, keep me away from those kinds of things,'' she admitted.
From Regret to Reflection
Although she would later say the whole thing was 'a little traumatizing,' Pokimane identified it as an important crash course in branding 101 (branding, timing, and communication). Instead of completely giving up on all future brand collaborations, today she has learned to be more discerning and intentional.
'I shouldn't just say no to any collab like that,' she explained. 'But I really should learn from the past and know when would be the right time to do it, and how to do it right.'
The Internet Is Mad At Pokimane Again…
Pokimane's comments, thankfully, reflect a move beyond purely defensive frustration into a more thoughtful introspection. In the aftermath, she seems much more receptive to future partnerships with a reemphasized attention to authenticity, timing, and audience alignment.
The Myna Snacks saga is a cautionary tale in the sense that the expectations are so high for creators that decide to become entrepreneurs. Pokimane's story serves as a reminder that stone behaviors can quickly shatter glass ambitions, a balance she seems better equipped to navigate moving forward.
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