MiladyConfetti didn’t soften to survive. She softened on purpose.
For many, she was first known for high-energy horror lobbies and chaotic Dead by Daylight streams — expressive, sharp, unfiltered. But behind that era was exhaustion. Racial harassment. The weight of being visible in spaces that didn’t always want her there.
What followed wasn’t a rebrand. It was a reclamation.
Through therapy, healing, and a return to the games that first made her fall in love with storytelling — Rune Factory, Dark Cloud 2, Pokémon Silver — MiladyConfetti rediscovered joy. Cozy gaming wasn’t a trend pivot. It was a homecoming. A deliberate choice to build a space rooted in comfort, whimsy, and authenticity.
But here’s what didn’t change: her voice.
As a dark-skinned Black asexual woman creating in cozy gaming, queer fandom, and nerd culture — spaces that often lack visible Black representation — she refuses to shrink. She refuses to dilute her experiences to make them palatable. Her community is soft, yes. Safe, yes. But it is not silent. It is not blind to bias. It is not built on respectability politics.
Her transformation wasn’t about becoming smaller. It was about becoming whole.
And in doing so, she created something powerful: a cozy space that still tells the truth.
Otaku: When I talk about your content, I often think about the balance between chaos and comfort. How would you describe your creative energy, and what do you want people to feel when they enter your space?
Confetti: I’d describe my creative energy as whimsical and just me being myself! I want people to feel comfy, safe and have a great time when entering my community.
Otaku: Your streams manage to feel relaxed while still being expressive and unpredictable. How do you personally balance those two sides of yourself as a creator?
Confetti: I am intentional about my online/offline time. I am an introvert and recharge through my alone time and hobbies. I have always been an expressive person, and my family has also described me as a person that keeps them on my toes. They never know what I’m doing, what part of the world I am in, and I think it’s funny. I just love to live for the now because tomorrow isn’t promised. If I feel inspired to do something or go somewhere, I go for it! Finding balance as a creator what I chose to share online versus not contributes to managing my energy so I can always give my best in my content.
Otaku: Do you feel like your current vibe was something you intentionally built over time, or did it naturally grow as you became more comfortable creating online?
Confetti: I think it is a mix of both. I have gone through a lot of changes, healing, and therapy throughout the years, and I believe that has contributed a lot to getting more in touch with my authentic self. As a Scorpio I am a very guarded, arms length type of person, and over time I have learned to open up more, express myself clearer, and find myself through the art I put out into the world. Everyone’s journey is different, and I give myself grace on mine as I keep moving forward.
Otaku: A lot of people first found you through higher-energy, chaotic games like Dead by Daylight. What was that era like for you creatively?
Confetti: Draining. Playing Dead by Daylight almost everyday and dealing with PTSD and racial harassment was a draining experience. My love for the game began to slowly chip away, realizing the community was not a safe space for all. I love the folks who have found me during my DBD days, and am honored for those who have stuck with me since. There is a saying that ‘people who post content on the internet just have to get used to bullying and cruelty’, and I hate that. Normalizing abuse is never okay. After speaking to a therapist about many things in my creative journey the good and not so good, I was diagnosed with CPTSD and dealt with a lot of traumatic symptoms alone. I took a serious step back from DBD content for my own personal well-being. There are many great creators in the space, but overall in 2020 to about 2023 the greater community, especially when fighting for representation in the game…was tough. I am much better now. And I have grateful to DBD for all it taught me, for the wonderful people I got to meet, and projects I got to be apart of. I will always be appreciative for the good that came out of that experience.
Otaku: At what point did you start feeling a shift toward slower, cozier, or more intentional content — and what prompted that change?
Confetti: After I began therapy! I was asked by my therapist, “What was a time when gaming brought you joy? Do you remember what games you were playing?” And I started naming the games I played growing up like: Rune Factory, Dark Cloud 2, Tales of Xillia, Nintendogs, Pokemon Silver and I just began telling her about all the things I loved about them. She gave me an exercise to try and revisit these games (if possible) and rediscover what I love about gaming. It was then I was introduced to Wholesome Games and the Wholesome Direct; and realized a lot of the games I played were considered ‘cozy’ games. So the shift happened intentionally to get back in touch with why I love video games and on my terms share that joy with others.
Otaku: How did that evolution affect your relationship with streaming and content creation overall?
Confetti: When I stopped streaming DBD, I suffered a major loss in viewership but as far as content creation I felt many lanes open up for me. I was willing to try different things, experiment and share the impact games can have on audiences. I also was introduced to different types of games I would have never tried before, like Love and Deepspace or This Bed We Made. I’m positive the viewership will return but for now I am enjoying making content, sharing my passion for indie games and spreading laughter from my Twitch Clips.
Otaku: When you’re planning streams now, what helps you decide the kind of energy or experience you want to create for your audience?
Confetti: It all starts with me and how I take care of myself. Listening to my body, going on regular walks, diet, and selfcare. When I don’t take care of myself, it shows in my content. I don’t put pressure on myself to be ‘hyper’ or ‘chaotic’, I am show up as me and if I don’t don’t have the spoons, I communicate that with my community. I want everyone to have a great time in my streams, and I can’t be there for my community if I am not taken care of. Being intentional offline helps me be a better creator online!
Otaku: Looking back, what parts of your earlier, more chaotic content still show up in what you do today?
Confetti: I have always been someone who loves to laugh. I don’t think that is chaotic, per say but always looking for the joy in things is something that is consistent for me in my journey as a creator. I don’t really live in the past, since that time has come and gone.
Otaku: Your community feels very intentional and welcoming. What values matter most to you when it comes to the space you’re building?
Confetti: Coming as your authentic self, because that is what I do. Every thing I do I do intentionally. I know what it feels like to be an outsider looking for community and having no place to go, my community is that place to go especially for others who may feel the same. Respecting and uplifting others is another big thing. I support my community in their endeavors and talents just as they do for me. I let others be who they are and I have had many were they say my community is the safest they’ve ever felt when joining a creators discord or typing in chat. So I am very happy to provide a safe space, I do not take that trust for granted.
Otaku: How do you balance being open and authentic with your audience while still protecting your own peace and boundaries?
Confetti: Being a Scorpio helps (lol). I am always myself but I am very protective of my alone time and private life. If something doesn’t feel right or people feel entitled and get parasocial about me I am quick to check folks, block and report. I’ve mentioned before that I am an introvert so I really enjoy my time to recharge, which means I’m not in discord all day everyday, and my streaming schedule will be 3x a week because that is what I can give. I have always had strong boundaries, but reinforcing them accompanied with therapy have made them stronger, clearer and helped me in many ways.
Otaku: What’s something your community has taught you about yourself that you didn’t expect when you first started streaming?
Confetti: To not catastrophize everything. I used to think if I ever stopped streaming that’d I’d be forgotten. And since being in therapy i’ve learned to not trust my inner critic who is just loud and wrong most of the time. Anytime I have taken a day off streaming or when I was sick for 10 days bed ridden with the flu, I was not forgotten and everyone pulled up for me still. So I learned to not catastrophize and trust more when people say they had my back.
Otaku: You create content in spaces like cozy gaming, nerd culture, and queer fandom, where Black creators are still often underrepresented. How aware are you of that when you’re creating?
Confetti: I’m aware of it all the time because I wake up every day a Dark-skinned Black Asexual Woman. When I share my opinion, which are never hot takes, just my experiences based on what I see, play or participate in, I have often been the subject of harsh bullying. I did not particularly care for ‘Tale of the Shire’, and learned that there are many in the cozy community both gamers and creators alike or are not kind. DBD fought for representation and was often subjected to bullying. Even in Love and Deepspace, when I reacted frightened of a characters abusive behaviors in-game I was subjected to bullying, age shaming and slurs. I am aware that when I am in a fandom I’m probably not going to be welcomed among the masses, but I do not create content to be accepted by the masses. I create because creating makes my soul feel alive. Engaging with great stories expands my horizons. And deep diving on topics like Magical Girls from the 70s makes me happy. Even in marginalized spaces such as the queer community, there are many who do not accept Asexuality and Aromantic folks; but in MY community we accept all. I am very aware of my ‘otherness’ in many spaces, and I shrink myself no matter what room I am in. Gone are the days of cutting myself up into digestible pieces to be ‘acceptable’, I am my whole self through and through. If people do not like that they can choke or stay mad.
Otaku: Have you ever felt pressure — internal or external — to represent more than just yourself? How do you navigate that?
Confetti: Yes. And honestly the pressure almost ended me. Too many times I have ended up in the hospital due to stress, heart problems, suffered serious ideation, had my hair falling out taking too much on. A lot of that pressure came internally, as someone who is a recovering perfectionist. I had to stop putting pressure on myself and realizing that I am enough. I take up space. That no battle was won by a single person. I navigate it better now with tools I have learned through therapy and understanding my limits more clearly.
Otaku: From your perspective, what does the industry still struggle with when it comes to Black representation in gaming and creator spaces?
Confetti: The industry doesn’t ‘struggle’ with Black representation, they actively ignore it until it’s something for them to profit off of/exploit. In creator spaces, most companies have rolled back DEI, way before the current administration but even more so under the current administration. Companies are asking SO much for ‘organic’, meaning work for free, opportunities where the benefits are heavily in the company’s favor, while many Black employees are being laid off (experienced both of these myself). I wish we could get masterpieces like South of Midnight all of the time that represents Black culture so beautifully, but more often than not we are still getting games (indie or not) releasing with 4 dark skin tones for life sim like games, lazy rendering for Black hair, or stereotype storylines for Black characters. When you watch Award Shows or Developer Directs notice how there are barely any Black people on stage, in BTS videos or even has hosts. Many of the folks who run things like video game companies, PR/Marketing companies, have no or little Black people who are there to add input or even put them on game to Black creators. And often the people who do care about diversity get laid off or move on to other ventures. I think like any industry, the game community loves Black culture for profit but nine times out of ten does not like US. And that’s not struggling, it’s just straight up bias and exploitation. It would take something radical to get things to change.
Otaku: Where have you seen progress, or moments that made you feel hopeful about the direction things are heading?
Confetti: South of Midnight. South of Midnight was a beautiful love letter to Black Southern culture, our myths, colloquialisms, music and so much more. I love that the game centered on Black Women and it wasn’t a tragic story that relied on stereotypes. The core of game was the bond of a mother and her daughter, and by the end I was in tears (Happy tears). I hated how the games community at large treated this game. However, I am very happy it won Games for Impact Award at the Game Awards.
Otaku: What changes do you think would make these spaces more supportive and inclusive for Black creators moving forward?
Confetti: Having TOS’s enforced that actually ban/demonetize racists. Having more legal protections from mass layoffs for creatives working within the games industry. Letting go of respectability politics when it comes to hiring Black creatives. Heavily dismantling colorism and the role it plays when certain companies go to hire Black creators, especially Black Women. For audiences seeing Black women outside of the closed minded lanes of being your educators or emotional dumping grounds, because you’ve JUST realized the world is burning (we know, and we told you). To Black Women, being yourself whimsical self no matter what, never shrink and keep shining your light wherever you go.
Otaku: You draw inspiration from a wide range of things — games, anime, fandom, music, and more. What influences have shaped your creative voice the most?
Confetti: The theatre actually. When playing a role on stage, you have to pull from so many resources, books, music, tv, anime you name it. When I in Alice in Wonderland, I had to go into places of myself I did not know existed to embody my roll and it was exhilarating and fun! I am preparing for a place right now, and I will say nothing pushes you more than a stage play. I think all of my hobbies make me a well rounded person to pull inspiration from!
Otaku: As your content continues to evolve, what feels most important for you to hold onto as a creator?
Confetti: My authenticity and my ‘why’. Showing up as your authentic self can be challenging for folks, because it is such a vulnerable thing to do. As I mentioned before the internet is a place where many abusive behaviors are ‘normalized’ so when you are yourself and that is met with cruelty it can be challenging. But staying true to who you are coupled with your ‘why’ can help through tough times. Your ‘why’ is why you do the things you do. ‘Why Do you create’ is a question that should be central to what any creator does, even if the reason changes as your journey continues.
Otaku: What’s something you wish people understood better about you or your content that doesn’t always come through at first glance?
Confetti: 1) That I am not the ‘chaotic’ DBD creator anymore, and to really let it go. To let go of ‘what used to be’ and grow with me instead of clinging to the past. 2) My space, while comforting, is not a place where we ignore issues that are happening in the world 3) any game that I am promoting I do actually play and more than often I am paying for it myself unless I express otherwise. My opinions, even if I was given a code or paid are my genuine experience. No company dictates my opinions 4) I genuinely love being a creator and trying new things
Otaku: For someone discovering your work for the first time, what do you hope they walk away feeling?
Confetti: Comfort. Laughter. Joy. And curiosity to research deeper on the topic being discussed.
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