CookingWithKya Harassed at Kai Cenat’s Event, Boyfriend ZaayBron James Responds

A weekend meant to celebrate the next generation of digital talent has been overshadowed by controversy. A troubling incident at a club outing during Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University” event ignited fierce debate online.

The flashpoint came late Friday when ZaayBron James, the boyfriend of rising culinary content creator CookingWithKya, took to social media to condemn what he described as a “disrespectful” act involving his partner.

According to James, an individual slapped CookingWithKya’s backside during a club event connected to the immersive, three-day creator bootcamp. The post quickly gained traction, framed the moment as a breach of personal boundaries, and ignited broader discussions about respect, safety, and professionalism at high-profile influencer events.

“Kya is a professional, and she should be treated as such,” James wrote in a now-viral thread. “What happened was completely out of line.”

The incident unfolded during the inaugural Streamer University, a highly publicized creator mentorship program spearheaded by Cenat — currently the world’s most-subscribed Twitch streamer, with over 17.6 million followers.

Hosted at the University of Akron from May 22 to 25, the bootcamp brought together 120 emerging content creators out of over a million applicants, offering an all-expenses-paid crash course in digital branding, monetization, and community building. CookingWithKya, a lifestyle and food-focused YouTuber known for her warm, humorous style, was among the guest instructors, teaching a class on culinary content.

While CookingWithKya has yet to publicly respond to the allegations, James’ emotional post galvanized support from fans and fellow creators, many of whom applauded his outspokenness. Others, however, questioned the public airing of grievances, pointing to the high-energy, often chaotic nature of creator events like Streamer University.

This is not the first moment of friction during the gathering. Earlier in the weekend, streamer Young Dabo was reportedly dismissed from the program following a controversial comment about his haircut, which sparked criticism of Cenat’s disciplinary policies.

Similarly, creator Zoe Spencer was excluded from the event entirely, allegedly due to a previous verbal dispute with Cenat. Her tearful response on social media added to the tension, with critics citing a lack of transparency around selection and participation criteria.

Cenat, who has remained publicly silent on the recent club incident, launched Streamer University with the intention of creating a first-of-its-kind bootcamp where digital hopefuls could learn directly from established names.

Fellow creators, including rapper and YouTuber DDG and Twitch personality ExtraEmily, joined as instructors. The event’s launch day, dubbed “Orientation/Move-In,” was streamed live and amassed over 10 million views — a testament to Cenat’s draw and the audience’s hunger for behind-the-scenes creator content.

Still, managing 120 influencers under one roof has posed its challenges. Earlier in the weekend, Cenat abruptly shut down a pool party organized by DDG after violating program guidelines. The event, which reportedly involved alcohol and dancing, raised fresh questions about maintaining structure and accountability in spaces where the line between entertainment and professionalism is increasingly blurred.

“This incident is indicative of a bigger issue,” said Dr. Mariah Blake, a digital culture expert at Ohio State University. “As online creators move into physical spaces and real-world events, we’re seeing growing pains around how boundaries are maintained — not just between fans and creators, but among creators themselves.”

The broader streaming community has weighed in with mixed reactions. Some users on social media praised James for speaking out, calling the act he described “inexcusable” regardless of the event’s tone. Others have called for context, cautioning against rushing to judgment without more details from CookingWithKya or Cenat.

As of Monday morning, neither has issued a formal statement. Streamer University concludes later today with Cenat set to livestream the 2025 American Music Awards — marking a historic first as a Twitch streamer granted rights to broadcast the event.

But the moment, once poised as a triumphant milestone for the platform and its creators, now arrives under a cloud. For CookingWithKya and ZaayBron James, the incident has thrust them into an unexpected spotlight, sparking fresh reflection on how influencers — and their communities — draw the line between content, conduct, and consequence.