Who is FaZe Rain? Grace Van Dien and FaZe Clan co-founder's ongoing feud explained
In the world of e-sports, controversies arise frequently, and one such incident shook the community in the past week. The matter under discussion here revolves around Nordan Shat, more commonly known as FaZe Rain amongst his fans. He is a content creator and co-owner of the famous clan known as FaZe Clan in the gaming industry.
FaZe Clan recently announced their latest acquisition with Grace Van Dien, an actress-turned-Twitch streamer also known as BlueFille. The news raised a lot of eyebrows, but what happened next was unforeseen. FaZe took to social media, announcing Dien's joining before the official announcement, and the matter blew up. Some members of the community perceived it as disrespectful, and the issue escalated from there.
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Who is FaZe Rain?
YouTuber Nordan Shat aka FaZe Rain is a professional gamer from Canada who uploads video games to his YouTube channel, FaZe Rain (formerly known as TrickShotting). The 26-year-old is well known for posting Call of Duty videos, fan mail reads, and daily vlogs. He had earlier disclosed in 2021 that he could not walk without assistance due to chemical neuropathy.
The influencer has enjoyed a massive fan following for a long time. During the past two years, he has often detailed his daily struggles and experiences with his condition, which causes him intense pain when walking or sitting, and has even talked about his sustained drug abuse in one such stream. His parents' separation caused him stress and depression, due to which he attempted suicide by overdosing on Advil and got a medical condition that causes nerve damage.
FaZe Rain and Grace Van Dien feud explained
In response to FaZe Clan's tweet asking for more female recruits, FaZe leaked that 'Stranger Things' actress Grace Van Dien would join the FaZe Clan, on May 21, 2023.
Spoiler alert it’s Grace and the only reasoning I heard was cuz she was on one episode of stranger things 💀
— FAZE RAIN (@FaZe_Rain) May 20, 2023
Some members of the community thought it was rude to leak the information. FaZe responded, saying that his initial tweet was not directed towards Dien but rather was meant to be critical of the group for what he perceived as a "political move."
FaZe's comment caught the attention and backlash of some community members. However, he responded to Jake Lucky's criticism, stating that his Instagram story explicitly mentioned that he held no offense towards Dien. Furthermore, Nordan stated that he was entirely against FaZe's motive behind the appointment, which he believed was solely for garnering sponsorships. "Of course, I posted on my IG (Instagram) story it’s not (an) offense to her, IDK (I don't know) her. This is entirely a political move though, by them to get sponsorships by having women. Not because it’s the right thing to do, haha. I also looked her up with FaZe. Her name has never been in conversation with FaZe on Twitter EVER before today," Tweeted FaZe.
Of course, I posted on my IG story it’s not offense to her idk her. This is entirely a political move tho by them to get sponsorships by having women. Not because it’s the right thing to do haha. I also looked her @ up w FaZe. Her name has never been in conversation with FaZe on…
— FAZE RAIN (@FaZe_Rain) May 20, 2023
The situation got heated up even more when FaZe Rain, who hasn't officially left the organization yet, openly criticized "FaZe Clan". He accused them of mismanagement, and financial losses, and disapproved of the clan's decision to add Dien.
Dien replied to FaZe's criticism during a live stream, where she clarified that he wasn't present at her appointment with FaZe Clan. She countered FaZe's claim, which said the only reason she was signed with FaZe Clan is because of 'Stranger Things.' She said, "For me, signing with FaZe is because FaZe Rain said that the only reason I was signed with FaZe is because I was in Stranger Things. Umm... I'm sorry, sir. Were you in the meeting with us? Were you there? No! I've never f**king met you!"
She continued, "That is not why they signed me. Like, that is definitely how I got the meetings. Yes! I will definitely give that credit, to how I got the meeting. But, that is absolutely not... why I was signed," adding, "Things that we spoke about in the meeting are... why... so, get f**king wrecked... to everyone saying that."
"Get fucking wrecked" - Grace Van Dien addressing the FaZe drama and speaking about FaZe Rain. #DramaAlert pic.twitter.com/AwBvgoItDE
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) May 26, 2023
The story didn't end there, and FaZe replied to Dien's comments with more sarcasm and criticism. He mentioned her lack of knowledge and experience in the gaming industry. His jabs were directed toward Dien's perceived lack of gaming skills and knowledge of the streaming world. He responded by sardonically stating, "Grace, I'm sorry. All I want to say is, you're Gold in Valorant. Make Stranger Things your entire personality, even though you were on only one episode. You found out about Twitch through Tumblr. Not only have you not hit a trick shot, but you don't even know what the f**k that is!" FaZe also added, "When you were still playing with Barbies, I made my first million out of this industry. On top of it, you're excruciatingly mid, who I would never let touch me on my drunkest night."
Dien didn't take long to respond to FaZe Rain's critical comments. She quickly reacted to FaZe's verbal abuse, addressing the latter who claimed she didn't understand what a trickshot was, "He says I don't even know what a trickshot is, you're right, I don't. And I know that's kinda what you're known for. But I know you, Rain, as the person who almost overdosed on a live stream, and I know that you are better now and I'm really proud of you for that."
Grace Van Dien has responded to FaZe Rain
— Hunter (@HUN2R) May 28, 2023
She agrees that she doesn't know what a trickshot is, and brings up his history of almost ODing pic.twitter.com/XA1hV8POle
Responding to FaZe calling her "mid," Dien said, "That is a very classy joke considering you were in the organization at the same time as a man who is accused of sexually harassing multiple women (Mew) when they are intoxicated." On the other hand, FaZe has distanced himself from the personal remarks. In response to one of Jake Lucky's tweets, he stated that he felt regretful about making them. Although FaZe apologized for his personal remarks, he appears resolute about his stance against the current management handling FaZe Clan.
I agree with you, I actually feel really bad, I wasn’t being serious and I shouldn’t have said that last part. I edited it out at first but it just didn’t hit without it lmfao.
— FAZE RAIN (@FaZe_Rain) May 28, 2023
I already contacted grace and ima talk to her and apologize, I have zero problems with her. She’s not…