From Kansas High Schooler to Multi-Million Follower Gaming Empire Builder
When you think of successful Twitch streamers who've managed to build empires beyond just gaming, Emily Schunk stands out as someone who turned a high school hobby into a multi-million follower empire. Better known as Emiru, this 27-year-old content creator has become one of the platform's most recognizable faces, blending gaming prowess with creative cosplay and an authentic personality that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Growing up in Wichita, Kansas, Emiru's journey began in the most relatable way possible - a friend encouraged her to start streaming League of Legends while she was still in high school back in 2015. Her mixed Chinese and German heritage and small-town roots gave her a unique perspective that helped her connect with viewers from diverse backgrounds. After graduating in 2016, she made the strategic move to Austin, Texas, placing herself at the heart of the content creation scene where many top streamers collaborate and cross-pollinate their audiences.
What sets Emiru apart from other League of Legends streamers isn't just her Diamond-level gameplay, but her incredible attention to detail in cosplay. Her costumes are so meticulously crafted that Riot Games actually drew inspiration from one of her cosplays when designing Gwen, a League of Legends champion - a testament to her creative influence extending beyond streaming into game development itself. She seamlessly weaves gaming content with cosplay showcases, creating a viewing experience that appeals to both hardcore gamers and those interested in creative arts.
Her business acumen became evident when she joined major esports organizations, first with Cloud9 and later becoming a co-owner of One True King (OTK). This isn't just a token partnership either - she actively contributes to the organization's direction while co-hosting the popular "Steak & Eggs Podcast." These ventures demonstrate how modern content creators can evolve from entertainers to legitimate business operators, building sustainable careers beyond individual streaming success.
Currently sitting at nearly 1.9 million Twitch followers and ranking 45th on the platform in 2025, Emiru maintains impressive engagement with average viewership around 18,000 per stream. Her peak of over 65,000 concurrent viewers shows she can still draw massive audiences for special events. Beyond Twitch, she's cultivated strong presences on Instagram and TikTok, understanding that modern content creation requires multi-platform thinking. While she was previously in a public relationship with fellow streamer Dyrus, she's now focused on expanding her brand and business interests. Her streaming schedule remains consistent across weekdays, typically running evening sessions that cater to her core audience. What makes her particularly compelling isn't just the numbers, but how she's managed to maintain authenticity while scaling up - something many creators struggle with as they grow larger.