ZeRo gives fans an update in interview following suicide attempt, video gets removed
Following his suicide attempt earlier last month, former Smash player Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios went on to do an interview, which was later taken down and reuploaded.
ZeRo faced allegations within the Smash community of messaging underage girls in a suggestive manner, with multiple people coming forward with their stories. Professional Smash player Leffen also made a statement on the situation. ZeRo himself eventually came forward and admitted to some of the allegations, further wishing he could “atone for what he’s done”. Earlier this month, ZeRo ended up in the hospital following a suicide attempt.
In the interview ZeRo spoke to caster EEVisu about the whole situation that unfolded, while also offering a little more insight into his mental health and the struggles he had following the controversy. The interview was taken down shortly after however, yet was reuploaded by multiple users, with a lot of members from the Smash community feeling like the interview was a little biased towards ZeRo, despite the probable good intentions behind it from the side of EEVisu.
Take it down
It’s a slap in the face to not just me, but to Katie, to the other girls, and to the entire movement. You should know better than this
— Jisu (@JisuArtist) April 28, 2021
One of the first accusers of ZeRo, Jisu, also responded to the interview. “Take it down. It’s a slap in the face to not just me, but to Katie, to the other girls, and to the entire movement. You should know better than this.”
Struggling with suicidal thoughts?
- (USA) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- (UK) Samaritans: 116-123
Image Credit: ZeRo via YouTube.
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Previous update: April 27th 2021
Update: Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios has broken his silence since the reported suicide attempt.
On Instagram the former Smash pro has posted a picture with the following message:
“Thank you, everyone, for the beautiful messages and birthday wishes. Life has been insane. I’m posting something this week to update you guys. I’m sorry for concerning everyone. I feel really guilty and bad about it. Take care, everyone.”
While he did not say anything about his current condition since the reported suicide attempt, ZeRo taking to social media again and promising to do so once more further down the line are signs of a recovery.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts?
- (USA) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- (UK) Samaritans: 116-123
Image Credit: ZeRo via YouTube.
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Previous update: March 26th 2021
Former Smash player Gonzalo ‘ZeRo’ Barrios has reportedly attempted to commit suicide following statements from his ex-girlfriend.
The news came to the surface when Vanessa, ZeRo’s ex-girlfriend, took to Twitter to share her thoughts following the situation, showing a picture where police and medical personnel are taking someone away on a stretcher. “On 3/23 Gonzalo attempted suicide. After being treated in the hospital he was sent in for further care. Humans are more than their mistakes, especially when they’ve put out more good into this world. I’ll always love u even if we’re not together & I’ll pray that u see the light”
On 3/23 Gonzalo attempted suicide. after being treated in the hospital he was sent in for further care. Humans are more than their mistakes, especially when they’ve put out more good into this world. I’ll always love u even if we’re not together & I’ll pray that u see the light🤍 pic.twitter.com/z2C83wH8nV
— vanessa (@healinghalos) March 25, 2021
ZeRo has been one of the most accomplished Smash players who also had a big following as a content creator, before retiring following allegations of sexual misconduct back in July of 2020. He was accused of sending sexually suggestive messages to an underage girl of 14 years old, among other things. His Twitch channel was subsequently banned by Twitch.
A lot of big names from the Smash scene have commented on the current situation, among them William “Leffen” Hjelte, wishing ZeRo a speedy recovery. It’s unclear how ZeRo is doing at this time and what his medical status is like.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts?
- (USA) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- (UK) Samaritans: 116-123
Image Credit: ZeRo via YouTube.
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Previous update: July 8, 2021
The Smash scene has been hit hard by recent revelations about predators in their scene. Among the many personalities implicated was also ZeRo. Today he annouced his withdrawal from the scene.
After allegations against Gonzalo “ZeRo” Barrios were first made public on July 3, there had been a back and forth of statements and responses between ZeRo and his accusers. The initial accusation was made by artist Jacqueline “Jisu” Choe on Twitter as a reaction to ZeRo’s first TwitLonger sharing his stance on the recent revelations.
This has taken me tremendous deliberation but I’m sorry @zerowondering
You were showing me explicit Craigslist ads of sex workers and hentai on the big screen and constantly harassing me at the sky house when I was 15 https://t.co/UFKkFnXeEM
— Jisu @ Hiatus (@JisuArtist) July 3, 2020
Following this first accusation other players and community figures also spoke up against ZeRo in support of Jisu, including pro player William “Leffen” Hjelte:
My thoughts about Jisu/Zero. It’s simply a long nuanced post with some more info
Read: https://t.co/TVMKSw8gL9
— LEFFEN#0 (@TSM_Leffen) July 3, 2020
The most serious allegations followed shortly after by a person wishing to remain anonymous and referred to as Katie.
Dear @zerowondering, all I wanted was an apology.
Read: https://t.co/9RRq2J0HUM
— Katie (@katietwtlonger) July 3, 2020
In her TwitLonger she detailled how ZeRo messaged her in a sexually suggestive way while she was 14 years old and underage. Then 19 years old ZeRo allegedly also requested her to “masturbate with ice and take pictures”.
ZeRo’s first response
ZeRo wrote a lengthy Google Doc in response to these allegations in which he claimed ignorance of Katie’s age before she told him and apologized to her and Jisu for being “a stupid irresponsible teenager”. ZeRo did not address the claim that he requested sexually explicit pictures from Katie. In regards to Leffen’s statement he acknowledged what happened and apologized for his behavior back then.
In a follow-up tweet ZeRo also banned himself from attending any Smash Bros. events in the future.
For the accusers ZeRo’s statement was not enough and did not address the main points of contentions. Leffen flat out said that ZeRo was lying in his statement:
Zero is straight up lying in his new statement. Wait for further responses.
— LEFFEN#0 (@TSM_Leffen) July 4, 2020
With other community members also speaking up and criticizing ZeRo’s response, Jisu took to Twitter again and said that evidence was being gathered to fully expose ZeRo’s misconduct in the scene.
Just to clear the silence
Me, Katie, former Sky House residents and many other community heads have been working together to bring you the truth
We’re compiling everything, please be patient
— Jisu @ Hiatus (@JisuArtist) July 4, 2020
ZeRo “confesses”
Responding to that on July 4 ZeRo issued another statement via TwitLonger.
I have to come clean.
Read: https://t.co/jm488OkabL
— ZeRo (@zerowondering) July 4, 2020
In his statement he claims to “want this all to stop and for me to at least atone.” He further stated that people should stop defending him as he did not deserve it. Within his “confession” he stated that Katie’s accusations “are true in general”. Additionally he also comes clean about another girl he spoke to during 2014, named Laura. Allegedly she was also underage at that time and ZeRo claims to have apologized to her in private recently.
He closes his statement by retiring from creating videos and urged the scene to not be like him and not forgive him either as he also would not forgive himself.
While there has not been any further statements from ZeRo at this point, Jisu has responded to ZeRo on Twitter.
After 2 twitlongers, blatant lying, and several attempts of damage control via messaging figureheads and victims only for you to realize you’re finally screwed– you finally fess up
Except this isn’t all of it. I’ll be releasing my statement and everyone’s accounts soon. https://t.co/JTA3bZlKnV
— Jisu @ Hiatus (@JisuArtist) July 4, 2020
She stated that ZeRo’s confession was not the end of this as she would soon release the gathered evidence and accusations, that she had been writing about prior.
ZeRo in therapy
On July 8 ZeRo made another short statement on YouTube regarding his current state:
He announced that he is currently in therapy for many reasons that were exposed prior and that he might make another video in the future. Leaving the door open for speculation that he might wish to continue creating content at some time later.
Twitch has banned ZeRo
Since his exit there have not been many news about ZeRo’s whereabouts. Tempo Storm and Facebook Gaming have also dropped the streamer while he has left social media. Tempo Storm also offered to reach out and support ZeRo in looking for professional help.
Yesterday, on July 23 Twitch has also banned ZeRo, who first left the streaming platform in December 2019.
❌ Twitch Partner “ZeRo” (@zerowondering) has been banned! ❌https://t.co/KaqCFSjHjX#twitch #ban #firstban #partner #twitchpartner 🧚🏿♀️
— StreamerBans (@StreamerBans) July 22, 2020
According to streamer and developer CommanderRoot the ban is permanent. Twitch was most likely acting in reponse to the accusations against ZeRo, ensuring that the former pro cannot return to their platform should he decide to.
ZeRo was one of the most influential Smash Bros. players of all time, who had amassed a massive streak of 56 tournament victories during the lifespan of Smash 4. After he retired from his progamer career he became a popular streamer and YouTuber who had over one million subscribers to his channel.
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