Get to Know the Latin American Streamer WestCol – Bio, Net Worth, Full Name, and More
- Name Luis Fernando Villa Álvarez
- Streamer Name WestCOL
- Nationality Colombian
- Date of Birth December 23, 2002
- Place of Birth Medellín, Colombia
- Net Worth $6-9 Million
05 July 2024
Have you heard of the Latin-American streamer WestCOL? Well, if you’re into gaming, gambling, and a variety of other content, this Colombian superstar is a must-know.
WestCOL, whose full name is Luis Villa, is almost like the king of the Colombian streaming scene, raking in millions of hours watched a month and rocking a massive community. He seems to have a knack for bringing people around him, even if his takes can get him in trouble from time to time.
It also probably doesn’t hurt that the guy is an overall versatile streamer, offering a mix of chill Just Chatting sessions where he hangs with viewers, while also playing some fan-favorite games like Minecraft, Warzone, and slots.
So if you’re looking for a streamer who’s got energy, humour, and enough drama to fill a subreddit, then WestCOL is definitely worth checking out!
| WestCOL full name | Nationality | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Height | Net Worth | Favorite Casino | Marital Status | Popular Platforms |
| Luis Fernando Villa Álvarez | Colombian | December 23, 2002 | Medellín, Colombia | 5’38’’(164cm) | Around $6-9 million USD | Stake Casino | Single | Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram |
Top 10 Facts About WestCOL You Need to Know
- WestCOL began streaming at the young age of 13, honing his skills in games like Minecraft and Call of Duty.
- Before streaming fame, Luis Villa grinded long 10-hour days at a market stall and then as a waiter to make ends meet.
- WestcOL is the largest streamer in Colombia.
- WestCOL rose to prominence on Twitch, becoming a partner and holding the record for most viewers on a single stream in Latin America at 800,000.
- WestCOL’s online slots streams were massive on Twitch a couple of years ago, but due to platform restrictions, he transitioned to the streamer haven, Kick.com.
- WestCol’s dedication has paid off – he’s rumoured to have a net worth of over $3 million but likely has much more.
- He was involved in several controversies, including homophobia and fatphobia.
- WestCOL’s Kick streams often feature beautiful women, adding a twist to his broadcasts and generating major views.
- WestCOL isn’t afraid to mix things up, sometimes browsing non-gambling websites and keeping things interesting during his streams.
- WestCOL has a team in the Kings League Américas with the famous singer Arcángel, called West Santos FC.
Number of Followers:
WestCOL Early Life and First Streaming Experience
WestCOL, or Luis Villa, as his Mamacita might call him by his full name, originally comes from Medellín, Colombia – yes, the city from the TV show Narcos. And while nobody really knows the exact details about his upbringing, we do know it wasn’t always sunshine and roses. He’s opened up about facing some struggles before finding success online.
Despite those challenges, Luis’s entrepreneurial spirit started young. At just 13 years old, in 2015, he started his content creation grind, establishing a foundation for his content to come.
Back then, though, Twitch wasn’t his go-to platform. Instead, he started streaming and creating YouTube videos, playing popular games like Minecraft and Call of Duty, like we all were around that time.
Most Viewed Videos on YouTube
Unfortunately, WestCOL’s first YouTube channel eventually got the boot for one reason or another, but back in the day, a ton of kids used copyrighted music when editing, so it could’ve been something even as small as that.
However, as you might guess, he bounced back and now has several YouTube channels, though none have hit the same level of success as his Twitch (now Kick) streams. These days, his YouTube content is a bit more random, with uploads featuring reaction videos, outdoor vlogs, slot videos, and everything in between.
Joining Twitch: How WestCOL Became a Streamer
Screenshot of WestCOL streaming on Twitch
WestCOL’s journey to Twitch stardom started after he transitioned there sometime after his first YouTube channel got banned. Twitch, with its focus on live streaming and its chokehold on the niche until Kick.com popped up, was a natural fit for his huge personality.
Here, Luis Villa truly blossomed as WestCOL. He found his niche, offering a mix of gaming content, especially popular titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, Minecraft, and casino games. However, he soon found out that his real bread and butter was the “Just Chatting” section where he openly interacted with his viewers.
Louis’ Most Popular Streams on the Platform
As we mentioned, WestCOL found success with several different forms of content, but what really blew him up on Twitch was his controversial mouth and his online slot content. These streams gave a peek into who WestCOL truly was, freaking out and letting his emotions go wild.
It also probably helped that Louis had some crazy luck when it came to gambling, winning hundreds of thousands on multiple occasions. He wasn’t dropping M’s like xQc and Train, but it was still quality content.
Bans on Twitch
Unfortunately, as time went on, Twitch’s policy changed in regards to gambling content, outright banning it across the platform. Not only that, WestCOL was banned from Twitch for a period of time in 2023. However, this wouldn’t be the end of WestCOL’s streaming career, as one Redditor elegantly put it, “WestCOL was made in a Kick streamer lab,” which let him easily transition to Twitch’s competitor.
WestCOL’s Favorite Games
Early Days: As we mentioned, WestCOL’s streaming career began with popular titles like Minecraft and Call of Duty. These games were dominating the scene in 2015, perfectly aligning with his teenage years.
Just Chatting and Beyond: Once WestCOL’s content went past simple let’s play videos, he really began to see some growth. And over the course of several years, he’s managed to build a strong reputation for his long “Just Chatting” sessions, while still having the ability to play games like Minecraft and retain his audience.
Casino Content: More recently, casino games, particularly online slots, have become a major draw for WestCOL’s streams. His main platform, Kick.com is owned by Stake at the end of the day, so it would be nonsensical to not bet.
Partnership with Stake
In July 2023, WestCOL went ahead and signed a deal with the popular crypto casino, Stake.com. This partnership gave him several massive cash injections to gamble with, which let him make the best content possible, dropping tens of thousands of dollars on individual blackjack hands-on slots.
Without any real budget, he was able to embrace his personality even more and turn his casino streams into some great content. It’s easier to keep a straight face and lose $200,000 when you know you were given several million to burn at the end of the day.
Excited to join the kick family https://t.co/kO45XnJE5K pic.twitter.com/ektk8n7IgV
— ☠WestCOL☠ (@WestCOL_) April 27, 2023
WestCOL Now Prefers Kick?
Absolutely! After Twitch’s restrictions on gambling content put his career in limbo, WestCOL, like many other streamers, looked for a new home. That’s where Kick.com stepped in, offering a platform specifically designed for content creators who enjoy gambling.
His controversial takes were also much more accepted on the platform, as it was privately owned, instead of being an Amazon subsidiary like Twitch.
Louis’ First Streams on Kick
WestCOL’s transition to Kick was smooth, all things considered, as he really hit the ground running. He immediately started pumping out the same great content everyone had come to know and love, only this time he seemed more in his element on a more adult-focused streaming platform.
WestCOL’s Most Popular Videos on Kick
With 730,000 followers on Kick, WestCOL has farmed a ton of clips, here are some of the most popular:
Best Streams with Other Influencers
WestCOL seems to understand the power of collaboration more than anyone, as he always seems to have a girl or other influencer on his stream. It was also hilarious watching him and Adin Ross go back and forth with broken Spanish and English early in the year, which helped him gain a ton of clout in the NA space.
@zephyr.clipz Adin having hard time teaching WestCol English 😭 #adinross #westcol #kick #viral #fyp #fypシ #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Zephyr.Clipz
What is His Place Among Streamers on Kick
WestCOL entered Kick as a well-established streamer with a massive fanbase already in tow, which made things a hell of a lot easier for him. He was able to instantly grab thousands of viewers.
In terms of his palace among streamers on Kick, it depends on what market you’re talking about. In the Latin American streaming community, the only bigger player might be Ibai, but in terms of Kick as a whole, he isn’t one of the big dogs.
Adin Ross, xQc, Amouranth, Roshtein, and even Trainwreckstv bring in far larger overall audiences, but they have the benefit of speaking English.
Why WestCOL Streams Are Popular
- Energy and Charisma: First and foremost, WestCOL’s infectious energy and charismatic personality are a major draw. He clearly enjoys what he does, and that enthusiasm translates to fun and engaging streams.
- Content Variety: As Ludwig says, there is always room for a good “yoink and twist”, taking ideas from across the streaming space and making them your own with some changes. WestCOL seems to understand this and isn’t a one-trick pony. He offers a variety of content, from thrilling games like COD to “Just Chatting” sessions where he interacts with viewers.
- A Touch of Controversy: While not necessarily a positive for everyone, a sprinkle of controversy (like his past homophobic comments) can sometimes keep a streamer in the spotlight, although it’s important to handle such situations with sensitivity.
- The “Extra Spice” on Kick: Let’s be honest, the presence of beautiful women on his Kick streams definitely adds a layer of entertainment for some viewers. This strategy, while not for everyone, contributes to the overall “showmanship” of his streams while making others look down on him.
Screenshot of WestCOL and Chanty gifting flowers to Karina and Mariana
What Content He Usually Makes
WestCOL is known for his variety content, offering a little something for everyone. He enjoys picking up several games, but he more often than not sticks to just chatting or gambling.
What are Just Chatting Sessions
For the uninitiated, “Just Chatting” was originally a category on Twitch, but has now come to be a catch-all word for a type of live stream focusing on streamer and viewer interaction, rather than a specific game or activity.
- Free Flowing Conversation: Just Chatting streams are essentially live online hangouts. The streamer sets the broad topic (if any) and then interacts with viewers through chat comments, voice messages, or on-screen polls.
- Challenges and Games: Some streamers, like WestCOL incorporate interactive games or challenges during streams. This could be anything from viewer-submitted dares to crazy TTS donations.
- Reacting to Content: If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve probably heard of a “react andy,” or a person who steals content and simply reacts to it. WestCOL is somewhat known for eating or chilling on streams with a video in the background.
Is WestCOL an Active Casino and Slot Streamer?
Yes! Casino content, particularly online slots, was a major factor in WestCOL’s rise to fame, so why would he kick his meal ticket to the curb? Just look at his numbers, when he streams slots and gambling, he’s able to pull in a cool 32,000 viewers per stream.
WestCOL’s Private Life
Biography Details
WestCOL’s bio is slightly vague, but he’s from Medellín, Colombia, and has hinted at facing some challenges before finding success online. As we mentioned, we do know he first started creating content on YouTube in 2015.
Is Luis Villa a Homophobe?
Yes and no, there have been controversies surrounding homophobic comments WestCol made in the past but he himself renounces any title like “homophobe”. However, his track record isn’t great, he’s on record saying he’d “Shoot a gay person 17 times to make 17 holes” – pretty brutal stuff.
WestCOL’s Social Media Presence
- Kick.com (Streaming): As we discussed, Kick is currently WestCOL’s primary platform for live streaming. Here, you can catch his live broadcasts featuring a mix of gaming, casino content (especially slots with Stake.com), and his popular “Just Chatting” sessions.
- YouTube: WestCOL has had several YouTube channels, though none reach the same level of popularity as his Twitch (now Kick) streams. His content here is more diverse, featuring travel vlogs, house tours, and glimpses into his jet-setting lifestyle. You can find him at https://www.youtube.com/@WestCOL242
- Instagram (@westcol): With over 2.7 million followers, WestOL’s Instagram is a hub for photos and stories showcasing his life outside of streaming. He has great travel pics, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and even the odd motivational quote.
Luis Villa and Stream Fighters 2
WestCOL managed to break Kick’s viewership record with his influencer boxing event, Stream Fighters 2. Peaking at 806,667 viewers, he demolished any previous records and helped Kick grow substantially in the Latin American market.
The event itself showcased an array of top Spanish-speaking streamers stepping into the ring. And realistically, who wouldn’t want to see their favorite millionaire streamer beat the hell out of another top influencer, it’s hilarious.
The winners of Stream Fighters 2:
- Leandro “LaSapaaa” Loaiza
- Pelicanger
- Maria Alejandra “Mav” Villegas
- Belmer “Belosmaki” Ospina
- Manuela “Manuela QM” Quintero
- Chanty
Key Factors Behind WesCOL’s Popularity as a Streamer
- Global appeal
- Controversial takes
- High energy
- High-wager casino games
WestCOL’s Net Worth and Impact on the Streaming World
WestCOL’s exact net worth is difficult to pinpoint, in part due to how hidden a lot of his deals with Kick and Stake have been throughout the years. However, he has been able to pull in huge numbers, specifically within the highly lucrative gambling niche, and if people like Trainwreckstv, who has been more open about his payouts from Stake, are anything to go off of, his worth is probably several times higher than the estimated $3,330,000. WestCOL’s net worth is likely in the $6-9 million USD range.
Did WestCOL Inspire His Followers to Learn Spanish?
WestCOL has definitely had an impact on the Latin American streaming world but hasn’t really managed to gain a lot of traction amongst English speakers.
If you speak Spanish and like gambling and gaming content, WestCOL is likely a go-to choice, but his reach is only within his niche.
WestCOL’s Main Source of Income
Throughout most of his career, WestCOL’s income has been primarily based on ads and donations on his streams, however, in recent years, gambling sponsorships have likely boosted that number specifically.
In all likelihood, his income sources are 40% streaming/YouTube related while the other 60% are gambling sponsorships.
Why People Appreciate WestCOL: Final Words
WestCOL really rode the streaming boom since 2020, taking a different approach to streaming than most of Latin America. Like Adin Ross, Rice Gum, and many others, WestCOL understood the appeal of controversy, Instagram models, and gambling, capitalizing on what others in NA had been doing for several years.
However, unlike some others who tried to copy his strategy, WestCOL has been lucky enough to also succeed in gaming, as his fans watch for his personality more than the content itself.
All in all, as long as WestCOL doesn’t go too far with something controversial, he’ll likely continue to grow in Latin America for years to come.
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