And the self-dubbed “main girls” are the leading attraction.
In the East, its another story, however.
The live-streaming platform is one of the industrys largest apps, with a user base exceeding 400 million.
Tim Robberts / Getty Images
“On Bigo, you might be yourself.
Every creator in this sphere of Bigo cites the same person as starting the craze:Jay Nedaj.
From there, it all took off.
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Panelists like Jones cultivated a following from this show through his personality, combative flare, and sleuthing skills.
Thats how the creators earn a significant portion of their income.
The relatively expensive gifts can be converted into cash for the streamers to pocket.
Bigo Live
Bigo Black queer space is a modern, digital iteration of that tradition.
Personality sells, and the community theyve created on Bigo has that, and more, in spades.
“The LGBTQ creators were the most creative and consistent ones on the app.
The gays pretty much can keep an audience.
We can keep an audience and keep people entertained.
Our community is the best when it comes to content on any social media platform.
Jones said his streams average 2,000-4,000 concurrent viewers.
The creators dont see it that way.
“What is entertainment with a little bit of good ole drama?”
Jaybies asked, dismissing critics concerns.
Im not doing anything to make anybody else look good,” Jones said.
“Im doing it for me.
If I was living for other people that would be different, but Im living for myself.”
“Its like old school Comedy Central,” Jaybies said.
“The jokes are harsh, you might get offended, but its funny as hell.
With us being Black queer people we were not meant for everybody.”
Bigo has become an unlikely place of refuge and free expression for those involved.
“Weve built a massive gang of Black queer creators,” Jones said.
