Tech

Brian Michael Hinds Confirms Role as 'Bottom G' in Viral Duel Casino Livestream

Cryptocurrency casino Duel admits the stream was a bait-and-switch, while the performer plans to distinguish his identity through maximalist fashion.

Author
Owen Mercer
Markets and Finance Editor
Published
Draft
Source: WIRED · original
Bottom G Wants You to Know He’s More Than Just ‘Gay Andrew Tate’
Pop star says he was hired specifically to impersonate Andrew Tate, a move that has sparked new opportunities despite the shadow of the controversial influencer.

Cryptocurrency casino Duel has aired a blackjack livestream featuring Brian Michael Hinds, a half-German, half-Barbadian pop star known by the stage name 'Bottom G'. The performer bears a striking physical resemblance to the controversial masculinity influencer Andrew Tate, a similarity that propelled the broadcast to viral status. While the stream initially sparked widespread speculation that the real Tate was hosting the event, the performance quickly diverged from the expected macho persona with flamboyant dancing, singing, and twerking.

Duel founder and owner Ossi Ketola confirmed that the casino had been duped by an influencer management agency into hiring an impostor rather than the actual Andrew Tate. Ketola stated that when the performer arrived at the studio, it was realised the individual was not the real Tate, yet the casino was forced to run with the stream to save face after costs were incurred. Despite this admission of a bait-and-switch, Hinds has confirmed he was hired specifically for the role and intends to continue collaborating with the casino.

The viral nature of the broadcast stems from the stark contrast between Hinds' energetic performance and the stoic, serious image associated with Andrew Tate. Hinds, who describes himself as an avowed night person currently based in Istanbul, told WIRED that he embraced the coincidence of his resemblance to Tate as a marketing strategy. He noted that his true fans appreciate his joie de vivre, leading to new offers to perform in locations such as Bangkok and Las Vegas driven by his unique energy rather than just his likeness to the influencer.

In an effort to distance himself from the 'Gay Andrew Tate' narrative, Hinds is actively working to differentiate his identity through maximalist fashion choices. He recently experimented with an intentionally 'ugly' quilt-like shirt for a wedding in Thailand, a garment he noted Tate would never wear. He also declined a request from prospective clients to wear temporary tattoos mimicking those on Tate's chest and arms, stating that such measures would obscure his individuality.

Looking beyond his current persona, Hinds is exploring future business ventures that pivot away from the influencer economy. He has ordered a new wig to test a potential male wig business, drawing on a childhood passion for hairpieces and the ability to change one's appearance dramatically. This venture represents a possible way out of the drama and anxieties inherent in the current online landscape, aiming to rekindle an older dream of a legitimate wig enterprise.

While Hinds acknowledges that his association with the Tate brothers has had downsides, including the deletion of social media accounts on platforms like TikTok, he remains committed to his music career. His latest single, 'Another Time', deals with the themes of alienation and distance that accompany his globe-trotting lifestyle. As he continues to expand his fashion sensibilities and build toward a full-length album, Hinds aims to prove that he is more than just a lookalike, even as he maintains a working relationship with Duel.

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