sparkle wrote:I have a serious question. How many people are sticking around for the are they/aren't they? I see so much discourse about it being 'the only reason people watch' but... is it? Does it not just turn people off??
Also re: the kid thing. Listen to how Dan talks about his childhood and parents, do you really think that man wants kids any time soon?
I've really never bought the idea that they are deliberately keeping their relationship ambiguous for the views. Like I really really don't see it. I don't watch their videos for hints about their relationship, I watch them because they are entertaining as heck and I love their chemistry. I'm genuinely baffled by queerbaiting arguments, because they really, really don't tease their relationship at all. They act cozy and casual but hardly ever reveal anything about their relationship that isn't out of bounds of what is to be expected of people who have been bffs for as long as they have. my sympathies to anyone who watches their videos strictly to get direct hints and be tossed a bone about their relationship status, because they must be very disappointed. I'm trying to think of a moment I could confidently consider ship baiting in their recent videos and...I got nothing. Even in crash bandicoot where they were acting #married, the personal ancedotes were funny but not like, romantic or suggestive or more than friendly. It's their overall vibe that gives people the impression that they are a couple, which I really don't think they can help much without risking their videos becoming weird and awkward.
I think the opposite is true. I think they know they are the biggest ship on YouTube (that I can think of, def in the top 3) they are known for Phan (try guys skit anyone?) and I think that on top of just wanting privacy for what is likely a very important and incredible personal part of their lives, they want to separate themselves from Phan as much as they can. The shipping with Phil bc kawaii part of Dans diss track comes across as bitter to me. I imagine it's annoying to be wanting to be taken seriously as a creator and entertainer when the audience is constantly squeeing about your relationship status. I know most fans talk about both their relationship and their content, but I'm sure the Phan related comments stick out, especially if they don't like seeing them. I imagine the idea state is, they continue to make videos which are creative and artistic, and if anyone is curious about their relationship they can google it and see, why yes, they are together. No big deal. Unfortunately, they've dug themselves a pretty big hole and any sort of coming out would not be quiet at all, they would be forced to draw more attention/tie their careers to Phan even more than it already is.
Basically, I think I'm the people who are only watching them for the ship will stick around if they came out (because their ship would be sailing and that is always nice) but idb traffic might slow down a little hah