Streamer Profile Destiny

Destiny

The mastermind of streaming debates

About Destiny

The controversial debate lord of the left, known as Destiny, is a streamer who made a name for himself challenging ideologies of right-wing fanatics online. Starting his career as a gamer, he has now solidified his place in the political ecosphere as unfiltered and unapologetic. Destiny always speaks his mind—whether that gets him banned off platforms like Twitch and Kick or not. His willingness to engage in heated debates with anyone, regardless of their platform or following, has earned him a dedicated fan base and a fair share of critics.

Personal

Alias
Destiny
Real name
Steven Kenneth Bonnell II
Age
35
Nationality
🇺🇸 United States
Location
🇺🇸 Omaha, United States
Net worth
$1.5 - $3 million
Relationship status
Divorced

Twitch

Channel
Status
banned
Twitch debut
2010
Main category
-
Followers
Average viewers

Kick

Channel
Status
active
Kick debut
2023
Main category
Just Chatting
Followers
110,000
Average viewers
1,000
destiny streamer
(Image via Destiny on Instagram)

Who is Destiny?

Steven Kenneth Bonnell II, better known as Destiny, is a prominent figure in the streaming world, particularly known for his left-wing political commentary. He has made a name for himself by debating notable personalities in the right-wing community, such as Piers Morgan and Dennis Prager.

When it comes to debating, Destiny has a very distinct style. If you've ever watched one of his debates on stream, you'll notice a lot of raised voices, logical arguments, and Destiny presenting facts with vigor—often resulting in his opponents being overwhelmed.

However, Destiny didn’t start streaming with the intention of becoming the powerhouse debater he is today. Like many other content creators, he began with Let's Plays—and streaming StarCraft II.

Destiny’s first streams

Destiny discovered his love for gaming while growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, in a conservative Catholic household. His early years were marked by financial instability, especially after his mother’s daycare business failed, which led to their home being foreclosed..

After high school, Destiny enrolled at the University of Nebraska, to study music. However, the demands of his night job as a restaurant manager eventually led him to drop out in 2010. Afterwards, he worked as a carpet cleaner, trying to make ends meet. Destiny found solace in video games. He began streaming "StarCraft II" on Justin.tv (now Twitch) in early 2010, a game he was already familiar with.

As his online following grew, he successfully tried out for the professional esports team Quantic Gaming. After playing for the team in the 2011 MLG Global North American Invitational, he placed fourth, playing Zerg. This success gave him some credibility in the gaming community, forming the foundation for his future viewership. These dedicated viewers helped him build his community and brand on Twitch, allowing him to transition to full-time streaming later that year.

Destiny's net worth

As of 2024, Destiny’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 to $3 million. His wealth has been accumulated through a combination of his streaming activities, sponsorship deals, YouTube ad revenue, and Patreon subscriptions.

Despite facing multiple bans from platforms like Twitch, Destiny has managed to maintain and grow his audience by diversifying his content across various platforms, including YouTube and Kick.

Man's face illuminated by red light strip.
(Image via destiny on Instagram)

Destiny, the political streamer

Destiny’s shift into political streaming was driven by his interest in social issues and the growing online discussions around them. With Hasan Piker being the only mainstream popular left-wing commentator on Twitch at the time, there was an opening for Destiny in this space.

Steven’s background in philosophy and social issues naturally led to casual political discussions on his streams. However, as interest from his community grew, his content gradually became more structured, focusing more on debating right-wing commentators.

The 2016 election cycle significantly boosted Destiny’s political streams. Viewers were drawn to him because he openly expressed his ideas and wasn’t afraid to challenge others with evidence. With his newfound fame, he began hosting debates with other streamers and political figures.

Ban follows ban follows ban

Destiny’s frequent bans, particularly on Twitch, are part of his brand and a reason why his community loves him so much. His unfiltered communication style often clashes with platform policies on harassment and hate speech—go figure. Some of his notable bans include:

  • 2018 ban: Destiny was banned for using a homophobic slur during a heated debate with m0E.
  • 2020 ban: His comments about the Kenosha protests, which were allegedly deemed to incite violence, caused a second ban.
  • 2022 indefinite ban: Destiny was indefinitely banned from Twitch for "hateful conduct," speculated to be due to his streaming with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who has also been permanently banned from the platform.

Kick ban after comments about Trump assassination attempt

Destiny's latest shenanigans even resulted in him being banned from Kick—which is quite an achievement by itself. This ban followed inappropriate comments about the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and was one of the most publicized incidents of his streaming career.

More specifically, a discussion with Piers Morgan escalated when he asked Destiny to condemn the attack. Destiny refused, arguing that the current political climate leaves no room for sympathy on either side. Morgan criticized Destiny for his lack of empathy, emphasizing the need for basic human decency in political discourse.

The interview split opinions online. Some supported Destiny, while others argued that he was just trying to stir the pot and rage-bait. After the interview aired and gained traction, even Elon Musk got involved, agreeing to demonetize Destiny's X account. Following this, Kick imposed a temporary ban on him until the end of July. As of today, Destiny is back up and streaming—business as usual.

Destiny's dating history

Destiny's relationships have been a significant yet turbulent part of his personal life and public persona, often spilling into his content and sparking widespread online discussions.

Rachel Bonnell, Destiny's first wife

Destiny's first wife, Rachel Bonnell, played a significant role during the early years of his streaming career. The couple has a son together, and their relationship—while initially private—became more public following their contentious divorce.

Destiny has frequently spoken about their struggles with co-parenting and how they impacted his career on stream. Overall, Rachel is a minor character in the Destiny meta.

Melina Göransson, married and divorced

Destiny’s second wife, Melina Goransson, brought a different dynamic to his personal life and streams, helping Destiny come out of his shell.

A Swedish streamer known for her IRL streams, she seemed to be a good fit at first glance. However, as more details about their relationship emerged, fans began to have questions. Destiny later admitted that they were having an open relationship, allowing both partners to date outside their marriage.

Woman in bikini on a sandy beach
(Image via melina.goransson on Instagram)

Neverless, Melina and Steven got married in December 2021, two years after they started seeing each other. Rumors quickly spread online that Melina was only using Destiny for his money and to obtain a green card. This was later confirmed by Destiny himself after their very public divorce.

Despite the unconventional foundation, their relationship quickly became a central theme in Destiny’s content. Together, they created travel vlogs, joint streams, and offered fans a glimpse into their everyday lives.

Their relationship came to an end when Melina left Destiny to pursue another relationship in December 2023. This breakup was even more public than their relationship, resulting in Destiny receiving an excessive amount of trolling and hate online.

Is Destiny a troll or a free speech advocate?

Destiny’s career sparks a debate: Is he just an online troll, or is he helping push the free speech movement forward? Some people see him as a troublemaker who loves stirring up controversy and platforming people who don’t always deserve it. His blunt style and intense debates can seem more like a show than serious discussion.

Others believe Destiny is doing good by using his platform to challenge false information and encourage critical thinking, especially from the far-right. His debates often reveal weaknesses in extreme views and make his audience reconsider their beliefs. By engaging with people who hold vastly different opinions, Destiny demonstrates his commitment to free speech and open dialogue.

Yes, his approach has its downsides—his harsh style and offensive language have led to criticism and many bans. Still, his role in online debates, especially political ones, is hard to ignore. Whether you see him as a troll or a free speech advocate, Destiny has made a big mark on the streaming world, always pushing the limits of online discussion. Good or bad, Destiny's influence in the online space is undeniable.