LunarKats explains why TSM dropped her from Valorant team

Fariha Bhatti Published 23/03/2021

Katherine “LunarKats” has finally come out with an explanation for her dismissal from TSM three days after the organization revealed its female Valorant roster.

The Valorant professional player went live on Twitch and explained her side of the story. According to LunarKats, she was kicked from the active lineup on account of an old Snapchat rant video.

“There is a video of me of a Snapchat rant I made in 2019, and I said some really hurtful and insensitive things. I feel really bad. Everything I said was absolutely inexcusable. It was offensive,” said LunarKats.

In 2019, the Valorant pro posted a Snapchat clip where she was ranting about a fast-food worker. According to LunarKats, she said “offensive” things and realized it soon after posting. She instantly took down the clip, but not quick enough, since someone kept a copy of the clip and sent it to TSM, which led them to parting ways with LunarKats.

The streamer apologized for the said video and clarified that no slurs were used in her clip. In an almost 40-minute long Twitch broadcast, Lunarkats acquitted TSM of any blame and took responsibility for her actions. She further denounced the rant comedy culture that prompts content creators to release their frustration on camera and say hurtful things to other people.

TSM releases Lunarkats three days after signing

TSM recently joined the esports giants setting foot in the thriving female Valorant scene. The organization announced a female Valorant roster studded with former Counter-Strike: Global Offensive professionals and the finalists of Gen.G x Valorant’s proving grounds.

The newly minted lineup enjoyed a bombshell entry into Valorant Game Changers, but a last-minute announcement ahead of an important game had piqued everyone’s curiosity. TSM dropped LunarKats a day before a match against Cloud9 White in an ambiguous Twitter post. The organization kept the statement short and refrained from revealing a reason behind the change of mind.

TSM reveals its new all-female Valorant roster

Today we’ve agreed to mutually part ways with LunarKats.

We’re currently looking for a sub to avoid having to pull out of the VCT Game Changers Series.
— TSM (@TSM) March 21, 2021

With no explanation whatsoever, the community took it upon itself to dig up the drama. A few screenshots from a Twitch streamer’s chat started to surface in which LunarKats allegedly bullied and harassed other content creators. The posts quickly gained traction, letting people believe that TSM dropped LunarKats for inappropriate internet behavior a year ago.

However, LunarKats’ Twitch stream clarified that her Snapchat video was the cause of her dismissal from TSM.

Quickly after dropping Lunarkats, TSM found a replacement in Arianarchist to play against Cloud9 White. The fans have been badgering the organization for an unfair punishment against LunarKats. Many have compared her situation with that of Jay “sinatraa” Won, who was suspended after severe sexual abuse allegations levied against him by ex-girlfriend.

While it’s difficult to say whether LunarKat’s dismissal is justified since the content in the Snapchat clip is unknown, the verdict has triggered a whole new discussion in the community. Whatever the case, LunarKats will no longer play competitive Valorant for TSM.

Fariha Bhatti

About Fariha Bhatti

Fariha Bhatti is a long-time gaming writer who loves competitive FPS games and slots with particularly fun themes. She got her start playing classic games developed by SNK, from legendary fighting game series The King of Fighters to challenging platform franchise Metal Slug. She now spends most of her time playing Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 while working her way through new slot releases to find her next favorite. Fariha has been published at PCGamesN, TalkEsport and ONE Esports.

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