10 Unforgettable Moments: Why IShowSpeed's "Trying Not To Laugh" Challenge Is Still Dominating 2025

The "Speed Trying Not To Laugh" phenomenon is more than just a fleeting internet meme; it is a continuously evolving pillar of the online streaming world, and as of December 2025, it remains one of the most searched and celebrated pieces of content on YouTube and TikTok. This challenge, which forces the famously energetic streamer to suppress his explosive laughter, has become a guaranteed source of viral clips, turning his contorted, struggling face into an iconic reaction image used by millions globally. The enduring popularity of this content is a testament to the raw, unscripted chaos that defines the IShowSpeed brand, keeping his community hooked on every new attempt to maintain his composure.

The "Try Not To Laugh" format perfectly captures the essence of Darren Watkins Jr.'s appeal, showcasing his genuine, over-the-top reactions to the internet's most absurd, cursed, and unexpected videos. From its humble beginnings in a Fortnite stream to headlining 2025 compilations, the challenge is a staple that guarantees a deep dive into the latest and wildest corners of meme culture, all filtered through the unique, high-octane lens of IShowSpeed.

IShowSpeed: Biography and Profile (The Man Behind the Meme)

The man at the center of the "speed trying not to laugh" empire is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., an American YouTuber, streamer, and internet celebrity who has rapidly ascended to global fame. His career is characterized by hyper-energetic streams, controversial moments, and a deep connection to his young, passionate fanbase, the "Speed Gang."

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Full Name: Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
• Online Pseudonym: IShowSpeed (or simply Speed).
• Date of Birth: January 21, 2005.
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 20 years old.
• Primary Platforms: YouTube and Twitch (though he has faced temporary bans).
• Content Focus: Gaming (especially Fortnite and FIFA), reaction videos, IRL streams, and music (e.g., "Shake").
• Notable Achievements: Winner of "Streamer of the Year" (often at various awards shows), multiple viral memes, and collaborations with major celebrities and athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo.
• The Viral Moment Origin: The original "trying not to laugh" face meme stems from a December 30, 2021, stream where he was struggling to suppress laughter during a 1v1 battle in Fortnite.

The Anatomy of the Viral "Trying Not to Laugh" Face

The original "IShowSpeed Smiling Trying Not To Laugh" meme, which went viral in early 2022, is the foundation for the entire challenge segment. The clip captured a moment of pure, unadulterated internal struggle, where Speed's face contorted into a bizarre expression—a mixture of suppressed joy, concentration, and slight rage.

This single frame became a universal reaction image on platforms like TikTok and Twitter/X, often used to convey a situation where one is desperately trying to maintain decorum or seriousness in the face of overwhelming absurdity.

The Evolution from Meme to Mainstay Challenge

Recognizing the virality of the meme, IShowSpeed and his editors smartly turned the concept into a recurring content format: the "Try Not To Laugh Challenge." Unlike traditional TRL videos, Speed's version focuses less on generic funny clips and more on content specifically tailored to break his unique persona, including his own past chaotic moments, cursed fan art, and deeply absurd internet humor.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The stakes are often raised, sometimes involving punishments or simply the humiliation of "losing" the challenge. This continuous format ensures that new, fresh reaction compilations, often titled "IShowSpeed Funniest Moments Ever! – Try Not To Laugh Challenge 2025," are constantly being created and circulated, keeping the original meme relevant years later.

The 5 Funniest IShowSpeed Try Not To Laugh Moments of 2024-2025

While the original clip is legendary, the most recent challenges of 2024 and 2025 have delivered some of the most side-splitting and culturally relevant moments. These clips often involve current viral trends and his famous collaborators, cementing their "freshness" in the content cycle.

1. The Ibai Llanos Ballon d'Or 2024 Meme Reaction

One of the most viral "Try Not To Laugh" moments of late 2024 came from Speed's reaction to the meme created from his attendance at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The meme features a highly awkward moment where he and Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos are sitting side-by-side, sharing a strange, intense glance. The resulting memes—including AI-generated parodies—were so absurd that Speed visibly struggled to keep his composure, his face morphing into the classic TRL expression as he tried to explain the context of the awkward interaction.

2. The "Cursed" Fan Art Compilation Streams

A recurring segment that consistently breaks Speed is his reaction to fan-submitted "Fan Arts." These are not traditional drawings but often highly exaggerated, bizarre, or intentionally cursed images of the streamer, frequently featuring his signature high-pitched screams or his obsession with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a 2025 compilation, a specific piece of fan art depicting him as a distorted, football-headed creature caused him to completely lose the challenge, resulting in a classic on-stream meltdown that immediately became a new reaction clip.

3. The Return of the Talking Ben App

The "Talking Ben" application was a major source of early viral moments for Speed. The simple premise of the app—a cartoon dog that repeats phrases—was amplified by Speed's chaotic interactions with it, often leading to him screaming at the dog.

The 2024 TRL challenges frequently feature compilations of his most frustrating and funny interactions with Ben, forcing him to laugh at his own past rage. The juxtaposition of his current attempt at seriousness with his former chaotic self is a guaranteed laugh for viewers.

4. VR Horror Game Fails

While not a traditional "Try Not To Laugh" clip, Speed's virtual reality (VR) streams often generate content that ends up in the TRL compilations. His genuine terror and subsequent over-the-top physical reactions to jump scares are often cut and sped up.

A specific moment in a 2024 compilation showed him flailing wildly after a jump scare in a VR horror game, with the footage edited to a comical soundtrack. His attempt to suppress laughter at his own expense proved impossible.

5. The KSI Collaboration Challenges

Collaborations with fellow UK-based YouTuber and boxer KSI are always high-stakes events. When the two participate in a "Try Not To Laugh" format—whether in person or over a call—the competitive nature and mutual history of absurd content raise the comedic tension.

A 2025 challenge saw KSI presenting Speed with a series of deep-cut memes only their respective fanbases would understand. The pressure to win, combined with the specificity of the jokes, resulted in a protracted, silent struggle from Speed before he inevitably broke into his signature high-pitched laugh.

Why Speed's Reactions Dominate the Streaming World

The success of "speed trying not to laugh" is a masterclass in modern content creation, blending genuine personality with a format built for virality.

The Authenticity of the Struggle

IShowSpeed's primary appeal is his authenticity. His reactions are not manufactured; they are raw, immediate, and often explosive. When he struggles to hold back a laugh, the audience can see the genuine internal conflict—the tight-lipped grin, the bulging eyes, and the desperate efforts to look away. This realness is what makes the clips so shareable and meme-worthy.

The Power of the Contagious Laugh

Laughter is inherently contagious, and Speed's laugh is one of the most distinctive on the internet. It is high-pitched, chaotic, and often devolves into an incomprehensible scream. The entire premise of the "Try Not To Laugh" challenge is to delay the inevitable eruption of this iconic sound, building massive anticipation for the moment he finally breaks.

SEO and Content Loop Strategy

From an SEO and content strategy perspective, the TRL challenge is brilliant. It creates a perpetual content loop:

• Phase 1: Creation. IShowSpeed streams a "Try Not To Laugh" challenge.
• Phase 2: Virality. A specific reaction becomes a viral meme (e.g., the Ibai face).
• Phase 3: Compilation. Editors create "Funniest Moments" and "Try Not To Laugh" compilations (e.g., "TRL Challenge 2025").
• Phase 4: Feedback Loop. The compilations are then used as content *within* future TRL challenges, forcing Speed to react to his own viral moments.

This self-referential cycle ensures that the content is constantly fresh and that the "speed trying not to laugh" keyword remains highly relevant, regardless of when the original meme was created. The continuous flow of new collaborators, like KSI and Ibai, and new content topics, from Fan Arts to the latest viral TikToks, keeps the format from ever going stale.