PGL Astana 2025 became the stage not only for clutch highlights and unexpected victories but also — as it turned out — for a staged “proposal show” that shocked viewers. One of the players kneeled on stage during the ceremony in front of a girl, creating the illusion of a genuine marriage proposal. The video quickly went viral — and only days later it was revealed: the whole thing was fake.
What Happened?
During the tournament, a participant — allegedly a player from Aurora — went on stage and got down on one knee in front of a girl, clearly mimicking a marriage proposal. However, the community quickly began to raise questions. Observers noted the lack of emotion, no kiss, and no real sign of genuine affection between the two.
The Truth: A Stunt, Free Tickets, and a Fake “Friend”
Everything came to light after the girl who received the “proposal” spoke out on her account. According to her, a guy named Roman approached her at a bar, claiming to be the best friend of popular streamer L3rich and an acquaintance of CS2NEWS journalist Stepa. He promised her free tickets for two days of the tournament if she helped him stage the proposal.
However, she later stated that when she met Valeriy — the man involved in the scene — they didn’t look like “friends” at all, more like strangers. Still, they went through with the act in front of the live audience.
Skepticism, Outrage, and Disappointment: Reactions from L3rich, mou, and hooch
The staged proposal sparked a wave of criticism from the CS community, especially from those who witnessed the event live. Streamers, players, and coaches shared their thoughts — each expressing their own brand of frustration and disbelief.
L3rich, a well-known streamer and commentator, responded calmly but with clear emotional undertones:
“Personally, there are things in life that I find sacred, and proposing is one of them. But that’s just how I feel. I understand the next generation has completely different values.”
Veteran player mou added his observations, expressing doubt over the authenticity of the moment:
“It felt strange to me that after the proposal there was no kiss, and everything just looked off. Then at the after-party, he was hanging out alone.”
The most explosive reaction came from hooch, the coach of Aurora — the team mentioned in connection with the incident:
“If this was really fake, then people have totally lost it, I don’t know. Who jokes about things like this? And the guy came up to us, saying it was super important for him. We thought we were helping with something meaningful — but we just got lied to. And all for two tickets…”
These reactions reflect just how unacceptable it is to exploit deeply personal themes — such as love and marriage — for attention, manipulation, or, worse, material benefits at a public event.
Why Did This Even Happen?
The main question still lingering across the community: why? Why would anyone stage something like this? Some assume it was an attempt to chase clout, while others suggest the man may have asked Aurora staff for tickets under the guise of proposing, using a “wedding story” as a cover.
This incident became yet another reminder of how easily public emotion can be manipulated in the age of social media. Faking heartfelt moments for showmanship and spectacle has been met with harsh judgment — and rightly so.
In the world of esports, where trust, community, and authenticity are cornerstones, events like this can damage not only individual reputations but the integrity of the entire scene.
