DDW takes a look at the multi-millionaire, former kickboxing champion and entrepreneurial king who has a habit for self-sabotaging behaviour.
Even as a multi-millionaire, former kickboxing champion and advocate of controversial opinions, it wasn’t until last month that Western culture became aware of Andrew Tate, actual existence.
While the former athlete may have achieved greatness in the world of kickboxing, it seemed nobody truly cared for Andrew Tate’s accolades other than himself. The half-American, half-British turned influencer appeared in the UK’s 17th series of Big Brother and still failed to leave a lasting impression in the public eye.
Since hanging up the gloves, Tate has instead relied on clout and controversial podcast appearances to help promote his persona in a bid to stay relevant in an oversaturated influencer age. Whether he’s claiming to be the first billionaire athlete — with a net worth proven to be $350m, showing off his luxury car collection on TikTok or just posting questionable monologues, Tate has effortlessly become one of the most viewed and searched names on TikTok, in quick succession.
According to his brother, Tristan, Andrew left the kickboxing scene with nothing to show for it. Other than the silverware, Tate was borderline broke. His financial situation was that severe, he would spend most of his days outside local supermarkets waiting for the out-of-date food to be discounted, or hustling leftovers from the local bakeries. What’s even more shocking, is that this was only five years ago.
Five years later, Tate’s net worth has exploded from $10m in 2017 to now $350m in 2022. All thanks to his multiple pornographic and strategic left-field business endeavours. Owning a total of five businesses — An online casino, Hustlers University, The War Room, An Adult webcam business and an OnlyFans management company — as well as two YouTube channels — TateSpeech and Tate Confidential.
In the aftermath of his kickboxing career, Tate found himself becoming increasingly unpopular. Unfamiliar in the public eye. Almost forgotten. A sporting relic of the past. The promotions he fought under, were the likes of the ISKA, and the IKF. And well, if you ask any casual Martial Arts fans, they’d have no clue what those letters stand for.
Always having shown signs of narcissism, self-importance and arrogance. Tate decided to try his luck at becoming the next Joe Rogan. The only difference is if you’re going to launch a podcast and start preaching philosophical and stoic words of wisdom, at least make sure you’ve been through actual adversity in life to back it up. Otherwise, you just sound like a pseudo-intellectual trying to be deep.
Tate’s attempt at being a positive influencer backfired instantaneously with the kickboxing finding himself under constant scrutiny for his misogynist and dangerous comments referring to women as property and claims that the former fighter had exercised physicality towards ex-partners as a display of dominance.
Tate also took aim at those suffering from mental illnesses and anxiety, calling them lazy and selfish. Excusing himself from criticism by playing the freedom of speech card.
Already treading on thin ice, Andrew Tate found himself once again at the centre of further controversy with the athlete’s Romanian home being searched earlier this year in part of an investigation into claims of human trafficking, sexual abuse and rape as well as the belief that Tate could be holding a women hostage. Upon searching the residence, Romanian authorities discovered the woman however she did not wish to pursue further charges. Whether due to the claims being false or her being paid off, nobody knows. But we can take a guess.
This wouldn’t be the first time, Tate found himself linked to allegations of abuse, with the former Big Brother contestant being evicted from the 2016 house after The Sun released a video which saw Tate beating a woman with a belt, and shouting obscenities.
Tate then became cancelled and broke. He hustled his way through life, begging for leftovers and scraps before ultimately re-inventing himself through adult entertainment and multiple business ventures. Only to find himself, once again, cancelled.
Andrew, in the last year, has become an inspirational icon for young teenagers across America. Portraying himself as the image of Male excellence and true alpha-male dominance. Tate teaches young males to treat women the way he believes they deserve to be treated. Indoctrinating his followers.
Like the real-life version of Tom Cruise’s Frank Mackey in Magnolia (1999), Tate teaches his followers that women “should respect the c**k” and that men are here to “tame the c**t”. Many young American viewers and international incels believe Tate’s advice to be the key to success with women.
Thankfully, many news outlets and online viewers were quick to pick up on the toxicity in Tate’s social media posts and solidarity and acted swiftly to have Tate’s social media accounts flagged.
This week, YouTube shared an official statement with Bloomberg, admitting that in the past, the platform has had numerous run-ins with Tate’s content as on multiple occasions, Tate had violated the community guidelines and openly spread dangerous misinformation on subjects such as Covid-19 and Pride. Now, YouTube has decided to remove such exemptions and instead, permanently ban Tate from the online platform. Meaning that Tate will no longer be able to post, through his own, or co-owned channels.
Tate’s talent representative quickly refuted YouTube’s statement by arguing that “There is a running contradiction in today’s society where men are encouraged to speak and be open/honest with how they feel but are generally met with a negative response to their truth.”
TikTok and Instagram were next to follow suit, with the platforms permanently banning Tate and removing all prior content. However, whilst Tate has been indefinitely blacklisted from the aforementioned sites, his content still pollutes the internet with fan accounts still promoting and sharing his conversion videos. Even with Tate being removed, the #andrewtate has over 14 billion views on TikTok alone. Let that sink in. 14 billion. On one platform alone.
Whether or not there is any truth to Andrew Tate’s agent’s defence, one thing is for sure. With the internet becoming a modern form of inspiration for many, more has to be done to make sure people like Tate aren’t being allowed to abuse their followers and platform to openly spread hate speech and dangerous views.