Canadian-Moroccan Youtuber Pokimane, whose real name is Imane Anys has been the source of online scrutiny after she posted a collab cooking video with Chef Kevin Lee on her Instagram on November 21, 2024. The duo combined elements of Korean cuisine with traditional Moroccan tagine to craft a fusion dish that represents both cultures.
The video received several comments from social media users who targeted her race. Responding to this online scrutiny, the online streamer took to her Instagram stories where she pointed to adding cheese to the tagine, which some claimed "ruined" the dish.
She also highlighted comments accusing her of race-baiting, including one stating, "Guys, don’t be fooled, she’s not Asian." Pokimane said,
“I don’t feel the need to go out of my way to correct people on my ethnicity or where I am from but I also feel like I try very hard to put on Morocco cause I am very proud of being from Morocco.”
She continued,
“So, to have people try to pretend like I am pretending to not be Moroccan, that’s the whole point of the video. It’s the whole point!”
The YouTuber expressed frustration over recurring comments from people assuming she is Asian, noting that she didn't view such assumptions negatively. Discussions about her ethnicity have occasionally surfaced among viewers, especially after she revealed her naturally curly hair in 2022, following years of straightening it on camera.
However, in one of the Instagram stories, Pokimane expressed exhaustion over comments that dismissed her identity as a Moroccan, saying she was frustrated by the negativity surrounding ethnicity and lived experiences. The YouTuber moved from Morocco to Canada at age four and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English.
Pokimane previously opened up about going through biopsies
A popular figure on Twitch since 2013, the streamer recently revealed a health scare for a possible breast cancer diagnosis. In a YouTube video on November 4, 2024, she shared the emotional impact of discovering a lump in her chest, which led her doctor to conduct two biopsies. She said,
“And that really freaked me out because I have never had a biopsy done and oh my God, I am sorry. I am having a hard time even talking about it. Even though I went through all of these already, it still gives me such stress and anxiety even just to express to you.”
This went back to when Pokimane underwent an MRI on various parts of her body, including her chest. When she consulted her gynecologist, the doctor found some areas of the chest scans difficult to interpret and recommended further tests. After additional ultrasounds, the doctor remained unsure about the results. She had previously undergone a lumpectomy.
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Pokimane received the first biopsy results, which fortunately showed the findings were benign. The second MRI-guided biopsy on another area of her chest also came back benign, bringing her significant relief as she processed the experience. She mentioned that the results arrived on the same day as her mother’s birthday so it was a good gift for both.
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