Who is WestCOL and why is he famous?
You might know him as WestCOL, but Luis Villa is more than just a streamer. He's an online phenomenon in the Latin American streaming community, known—among other things—for his signature baseball caps. It’s become so synonymous with his style that he’s even begun selling his own line of baseball caps as merchandise.
WestCOL's journey to success wasn't an overnight sensation. It began back in 2015, when he was just a 13-year-old kid, diving into the world of streaming. Starting with popular games like Minecraft and Call of Duty, he soon moved into streaming parties, hip hop, sports betting, and gambling.
Despite facing challenges growing up in a tough neighborhood, Luis managed to become one of Latin America's biggest streamers. With a strong presence across various online platforms, his content revolves around engaging with fans, indulging in banter, and showcasing a flair for humor.
WestCOL also become popular for surrounding himself with top models, like the Colombian influencers Aída Victoria, Maria Isabel, and others.
However, don't be fooled by WestCOL's nonchalant attitude. Luis puts in hours of effort into his streams and makes sure that he is on the latest trends on Kick.
His streams can last anywhere from 2 to 48 hours, with one session in October 2022 raking in an impressive $30,000 in a single day. These numbers made WestCOL one of the highest earners in the Latin streaming community with an estimated total net worth of $5 - $8 million.
Since about a year, WestCOL has moved his streaming operating from Twitch to Kick where he has ventured into the world of casino streaming. It seems like gambling just fit his niche like a glove: Partying with his friends, beautiful women, and fast money seem to be a mix that not only works with Latino audiences.
Is WestCOL homophobic?
Scandals have become almost a rite of passage for many young streamers, especially those drawn to gambling. For WestCOL, controversy seems to fuel his rise to fame, making his streams a magnet for viewers.
A glance at his Twitter reveals several incidents where Luis’s comments have outraged the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. His unfiltered remarks often cross lines, offending others in the streaming world.
One significant controversy, known as the "Pixel War" on Reddit, involved a clash with German streamer Papaplatte. Luis’s reaction to an image of two men kissing after the Berlin Wall’s fall included a disturbing comment about shooting gay individuals, escalating tensions and making him appear increasingly unsympathetic.
Despite the backlash, Luis has faced little in the way of meaningful consequences. His promotion of a sexist atmosphere might even endear him to a certain segment of his audience, perpetuating the cycle of controversy for attention.
"What If My Son Came Out Trans?"
In a more severe incident, Villa was directed by the Colombian Supreme Court to undergo education on LGBTQ+ rights after posting a highly controversial video titled "What if my son comes out trans?" In it, he used violent, derogatory language, describing scenarios where he would harm his child if they identified as anything other than heterosexual or cisgender. Even on Kick, a platform known for its leniency, these comments led to a temporary ban.
The severity of Villa’s remarks prompted LGBTQ+ activist José Francisco Montufar Rodríguez to file a complaint, citing the promotion of violence and discrimination. Although the video was eventually removed, concerns lingered about its impact during its time online.
The Colombian Supreme Court condemned Villa's statements as discriminatory and hate speech. Montufar Rodríguez advocated for the closure of WestCOL’s accounts, but the court chose a different approach.
Instead of censorship, they ordered the streamer to undergo training on LGBTQ+ rights and use his platform to educate his audience on the dangers of anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry. In a subsequent apology video, Villa attempted to downplay his remarks as dark humor intended to entertain.
WestCOLs streams in a nutshell
Despite being in his early 20s, Luis Villa has already amassed quite a bit of experience in the streaming community. Active on Twitch since 2017, Luis has had ample time to refine his skills, both in gaming and streaming. Whether he's cruising through GTA or diving into crypto gambling games, he knows how to entertain his fans and make content that is worth talking about.
If you were to follow WestCOL in just one place, it would be on Kick. Here, you'll find him gambling for hours on end and partying with his friends. Admittedly, his fixation on beautiful girls, fast cars, and quick money may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but his channel’s success proves him right.
Although his Kick profile is relatively new, he’s currently one of the fastest-growing accounts on the platform. It's worth noting that Luis primarily streams in Spanish, catering to the raging appetite for streaming in the Latin American market.
For his hardcore fans, WestCOL goes further than most other streamers. You can catch the Colobmian streamer sensation doing fan meetups in his local area, at resorts, and even hosting club events at the popular club Dulcinea in Medellin.
WestCOL's girlfriends
WestCOL has had a colorful dating history that often played out in the public eye. His relationships have attracted significant attention, not just because of his fame, but also due to the high-profile nature of his partners and the drama surrounding these romances.
Maria Isabel
The streamer was previously in a relationship with model Maria Isabel, who frequently appeared in his streams and Instagram posts. The couple traveled extensively, sharing their adventures with followers, including trips to destinations like Miami. Rumors circulated that they had an open relationship, but in 2023, WestCOL announced their split.
In a later stream, WestCOL reflected on the breakup, attributing it in part to his demanding nature and intense focus on personal growth. He also took the opportunity to defend his meaningful tattoos, criticizing those who judge people based on their ink.
Aída Victoria Merlano
Before Maria, WestCOL was in a relationship with Aída Victoria Merlano, a Colombian Instagram model with a notorious past. Aída was sentenced to over seven years of house arrest for aiding her mother, disgraced politician Merlano Rebolledo, in a daring prison escape in 2019. Her rebellious image seemed to align perfectly with WestCOL's infamous streaming persona.
The couple publicly broke up in September 2023, but a year later, they started making videos together again. This left fans speculating about the nature of their relationship. While Aída acknowledged that WestCOL's lack of attention had caused issues in the past, a heartfelt gesture from him rekindled their bond.
In a light-hearted moment, Aída jokingly admitted her attraction to WestCOL's wealth, adding to the intrigue surrounding their reunion. Despite mixed reactions from fans, it seems that for Aída and WestCOL, love—or at least a strong connection—has found a way to persist.
