A streamer goes live with a strange plan to pay rent, and viewers aren’t impressed

A popular Twitch streamer is facing backlash after unveiling an unconventional plan to cover his rent. Instead of launching a donation drive or offering new content, he asked his audience to help him exploit ad revenue in a way many viewers found uncomfortable.

The situation drew attention after coverage by UNILAD, which reported that the streamer, known online as Lacy, told his nearly two million followers he planned to host a monthly “sleep stream,” designed entirely to run advertisements while he sleeps. Lacy laid out the idea during a recent livestream, explaining that once a month he would go live on Twitch and sleep on camera with ads running at maximum frequency.

He told viewers the stream would not be entertaining and that he did not expect anyone to actively watch it. Instead, he instructed his audience to open the stream in a browser tab, lower the volume to one percent, disable ad blockers, and leave it running overnight. Viewers were encouraged to go to sleep themselves while the stream quietly played ads in the background.

This crossed a line for a lot of people

The goal was to boost viewership numbers, which directly affects ad revenue payouts. Critics compared the approach to other attempts to game systems for easy money, which often draw scrutiny, such as when suspicious accounts were flagged for exploiting timing and loopholes around major news events, like the Venezuela strikes.

Lacy framed the request as a simple favor. He said the monthly sleep stream would help him “pay my rent,” presenting it as a once-a-month effort rather than an ongoing obligation. Many viewers, however, felt the request undercut the basic premise of advertising on livestream platforms.

Criticism came quickly. Streamers typically build large audiences by creating content that encourages engagement, which is what advertisers are paying for. Asking fans to silently run ads while the creator sleeps struck many as a shortcut that bypasses that exchange.

Reactions ranged from disbelief to mockery. One commenter said they understood how expensive rent can be but still described the tactic as “shameless.” Others joked that if sleeping on camera once a month was enough to make money, anyone should be able to do it.

Some users also pointed to Lacy’s apparent lifestyle. Based on clips from his stream, viewers noted that his setup appeared to be in a large, expensive space. Several suggested downsizing or living within his means instead of asking fans to manipulate ad systems.

This reaction was similar to other viral discussions about choices that look fine on the surface but come with hidden costs, such as when everyday vehicles appeared affordable up front before mechanics warned how quickly the repair bills add up.