Popular Twitch streamer Tyler “Ninja” Blevins and EDM producer Marshmello reigned victorious at the inaugural Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am, earning $1 million for their respective charities.
The event, which featured some of the world’s most recognizable personalities, was broken down into three different games. To kick it off, the 100 players loaded into the Battle Bus and fought in a Solos match.
Ninja was taken out fairly early by French streamer and former Call of Duty player Corentin “Gotaga” Houssein in one of the most exciting gunfights in the entire event. YouTuber NoahJ456 would eventually seal the win, taking out Solary star Duong “Kinstaar” Huyh last.
The second game was a warm-up duos match, allowing players to get used to their teammate’s communication and playstyle. Ninja and Marshmello proved to be a solid pairing, with the duo making it to the final two before being eliminated by Kinstaar and his teammate, MMA fighter Sean O’Malley.
But it was the game that mattered the most, the $3 million charity duos match, where Ninja and Marshmello shined the brightest. Although the team did not have to stray very far in the game—they opted to stay in the middle of the map—they were right where they were supposed to be. The pair were able to secure the high ground as the storm closed in.
With a superior position and health on their side, Ninja and Marshmello rained gunfire down on Jack “CouRage” Dunlop, who was helpless at ground-level with just 7HP. The Twitch megastar finished CouRage off, winning the first $1 million charity grand prize for his team.
Here are the top 10 placings for the inaugural Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am tournament:
1) Ninja, Marshmello
2) CouRage, Kenneth Faried
3) Kristen “KittyPlays” Valnicek, Chandler Riggs
4) David “StoneMountain64” Steinberg, Jordan Fisher
5) Alastair “Ali-A” Aiken, Pete Wentz
6) Guillermo “Willyrex” DÃaz, Prince Royce
7) Brennon “GoldGlove” O’Neill, Witt Lowry
8) Kim Patriota, Kyla Drew
9) Samara Redway, Cyrus Spencer
10) Kathleen “Loserfruit” Belsten, Russell “The Backpack Kid” Horning
Following the win, Ninja revealed he would be donating his $500,000 to the Alzhemier’s Association, which funds advancements in research and care for people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Runner-ups CouRage and NBA star Kenneth Faried donated their $500,000 charity sum to the Aneurysm and AVM Foundation as a salute to CouRage’s friend that passed away from a brain aneurysm a few years ago.
The event looks like it was a massive success, with millions of people watching across the world and countless affected with the charities contributions. It could be the start of huge things for Fortnite esports—especially with the Fortnite World Cup coming next year.
