Mellstroy, whose real name is Andrey Burim, was born in 1998 in Gomel, Belarus. At 26 years old, he has carved a unique niche in the streaming world. Mellstroy is currently single and has no children. Known for his outrageous and controversial content, his streams have made him a multimillionaire, with an estimated net worth of around $10 million. His journey to stardom has been anything but conventional, marked by a transition from classic gaming to IRL (In Real Life) content, which has significantly boosted his popularity.
Early Streaming Career
Andrey Burim began his streaming career in 2015 after dropping out of college. Initially, he focused on traditional gaming streams, playing Minecraft, CS
, and Dota 2 on YouTube. Despite his dedication, these streams struggled to attract a significant audience. In 2016, he switched to IRL streams, frequently broadcasting on chat roulette. His approach was bold and often controversial, engaging with random strangers, particularly women, in provocative ways. This edgy content quickly gained traction, albeit at the cost of violating several platform rules.
Transition to IRL and Trash Streams
In 2019, Mellstroy moved to Moscow, where he expanded his IRL content. His streams became more extravagant, featuring wild parties, heavy drinking, and a lavish lifestyle. The transition coincided with lucrative partnerships with online casinos and bookmakers, which saw Mellstroy earning approximately $20,000 per stream. This financial boost enabled him to indulge in a bohemian lifestyle, purchasing luxury items and cars.
Legal Troubles
Mellstroy’s trash streams and provocative behavior have frequently landed him in legal trouble. His content, which often promoted a hedonistic and reckless lifestyle, led to criminal cases in Belarus and Russia. Eventually, he relocated to the UAE, only to flee to Turkey after facing legal issues there as well. Despite these challenges, his streams continued to gain popularity, attracting a growing audience fascinated by his audacious antics.
Record-Breaking Streams
Mellstroy’s recent streams have shattered records, particularly among Russian-speaking audiences. His broadcast, which peaked at over 730,000 viewers, marked a personal best and the second-highest viewership in the history of the platform Kick. Only WestCol’s Stream Fighters 2 managed to surpass this feat. Mellstroy’s ability to draw massive audiences is a testament to his unique and controversial content style, which sets him apart from more conventional streamers.
Viral Fame and Memes
One of Mellstroy’s strategies for maintaining and increasing his popularity is his innovative use of memes. He offers substantial rewards to viewers who create viral memes featuring him, paying $200 for every million views on TikTok. This approach has flooded social media with Mellstroy’s images and videos, significantly boosting his visibility and fame. In 2023, he began donating large sums to other streamers for performing various outrageous acts, further amplifying his notoriety.
Controversial Challenges
In early 2024, Mellstroy extended his money-for-hype strategy to his viewers. He offered $330,000 to anyone who could get famous personalities like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Kylian Mbappe to send him a video greeting. Additionally, he promised $1.6 million to anyone who could get popular YouTuber MrBeast to follow him on Instagram. Such extravagant challenges have kept Mellstroy in the spotlight, continuously drawing attention to his unconventional content.
Collaborations and High Stakes
Mellstroy’s collaboration with Russian artist Morgenstern in March 2024 marked a significant milestone. The stream, which included a $1 million payment to Morgenstern, drew a record-breaking audience. The promise of large sums for content creators to gamble, totaling $3.2 million, was another major draw. These high-stakes collaborations highlight Mellstroy’s ability to leverage his financial resources to create buzz and attract viewers.
Popularity Despite Controversy
Despite his antisocial and often offensive behavior, Mellstroy’s streams continue to captivate a large audience. His content, which includes driving luxury cars in slippers, obscene proposals, and even attacks on random passers-by, is a stark departure from the norms of other streaming platforms. This radical difference in content has contributed to his enduring popularity, making him a unique figure in the streaming world.
Conclusion
Mellstroy’s journey from a college dropout to a record-breaking streamer is marked by controversy, legal troubles, and an unorthodox approach to content creation. His ability to consistently attract large audiences, despite the provocative nature of his streams, underscores the appeal of his unique brand of entertainment. As he continues to push boundaries and engage viewers with his outrageous antics, Mellstroy remains a polarizing yet undeniably influential figure in the streaming community.