Maya Higa just reached a milestone no Twitch streamer has ever achieved before. The popular content creator and wildlife conservation advocate received a standing ovation after becoming the first Twitch streamer to deliver an official TED Talk. What began years ago as casual livestreaming has now evolved into one of the internet’s most unexpected success stories, blending online entertainment with real-world environmental impact.
The emotional moment unfolded in Vancouver, Canada, where Maya stepped onto the TED stage to explain how livestreaming helped her build a global audience passionate about animal conservation. By the end of the presentation, the crowd rose to its feet, leaving the streamer visibly stunned as she quietly responded, “Thank you.”
