IShowSpeed Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Assault on Humanoid Influencer Rizzbot
In September 2025, renowned content creator IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., live-streamed an encounter with Rizzbot, a humanoid robot celebrated for its comedic roasts and irreverent gestures. Rizzbot boasts over a million followers and 800 million views across various social media platforms, while IShowSpeed commands a substantial audience with more than 50 million followers and 6 billion views.
The live-streamed meeting between IShowSpeed and Rizzbot took a contentious turn, leading to a lawsuit filed in November by Social Robotics, the creators of Rizzbot. The legal action targets IShowSpeed, his management company Mixed Management, and an associated producer present during the incident. The petition alleges that IShowSpeed inflicted irreparable damage upon Rizzbot through a series of aggressive actions.
According to the lawsuit and corroborated by the live-stream footage, IShowSpeed engaged in multiple acts of physical aggression towards Rizzbot. These actions included repeatedly punching the robot’s face, placing it in a chokehold, pinning it to a couch, and ultimately throwing it to the ground. The petition asserts that IShowSpeed was fully aware that such behavior was inappropriate for interacting with a sophisticated robot and that his actions would likely cause significant harm.
The alleged mishandling resulted in a complete loss of functionality for Rizzbot. The robot sustained significant damage to its mouth and neck, rendering its head cameras inoperative. Additionally, the ports behind its neck, which connect to sensors enabling sight and hearing, were rendered non-functional. The robot also became unstable, impairing its ability to walk properly.
Social Robotics is seeking compensation for damages, including actual losses and projected lost profits. While the exact monetary amount has not been disclosed, the company emphasizes the substantial financial impact resulting from the incident.
Following the altercation, the Austin Police Department was called to the scene. A police report obtained by TechCrunch indicates that the responding officer observed damages to Rizzbot inflicted without the owner’s consent. The owner expressed a desire to press charges, and an investigation is currently underway.
Efforts to reach IShowSpeed’s management team for comment have been unsuccessful. Social Robotics’ attorney, Joel Levine, stated that the lawsuit was initiated after discussions with IShowSpeed’s team regarding compensation for the damages reached an impasse. Levine emphasized the need for accountability, noting that the live-streamed nature of the event leaves little room for factual discrepancies.
The petition further alleges that IShowSpeed failed to act as a careful and reasonable individual, wrongfully exercising control over Rizzbot. As a result of the destruction, the team behind Rizzbot has lost significant economic opportunities. The robot is now indefinitely unable to participate in high-profile appearances and deals, including scheduled engagements with CBS’s The NFL Today and popular YouTuber MrBeast.
The petition highlights the magnitude of the setback, comparing an appearance in a MrBeast production to the exposure gained from a Super Bowl commercial. In the month preceding the incident, Rizzbot generated over 600 million views on TikTok and 200 million on Instagram. However, in the 28 days following the incident, the robot was unable to produce new content, leading to a more than 70% decrease in viewership. The petition asserts that the intentional destruction caused significant financial damage, likely permanent given the viral nature of social media.
Levine noted that there has been no formal response to the lawsuit yet, as the litigation is still in its early stages. When contacted, Rizzbot provided a statement via email, indicating that it had to acquire a completely new body after the incident. The robot humorously mentioned that everything is brand new except for its Nike shoes and cowboy hat. Rizzbot expressed enthusiasm about returning online, mastering the art of rizz, and working on complex leg movements like twerking, teasing upcoming TV appearances.
