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'''Malik Ambersley''', also known by his username '''Leaks World''', is a ] based on ] and ]. He gained viral fame starting in 2023 for doing interactive ] cosplaying and acting as the ] superhero ], after which he was referred to as "NPC Miles Morales."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hargrave |first=Sam |date=2024-11-10 |title=NPC Miles Morales Gets Surprised by Real Spider-Verse Actor on Kai Cenat’s Stream |url=https://thedirect.com/article/npc-miles-morales-kai-cenat-stream-spider-verse-actor-real |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=The Direct |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, he appeared in online content with streamers like ] and ].<ref name=":1" />
'''Derek Tran''' is an American lawyer and politician.


== Background == == Early life ==
During the ], Ambersley worked at ] in ]. There, he was the subject of a viral clip depicting him "being outraged after not having received a tip from a customer while on shift" and smashing pizza boxes. He stated that no one was in the store at the time and that he was not fired for his actions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-27 |title=NPC Miles Morales goes viral after rage clip while working at Dominos resurfaces |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/npc-miles-morales-goes-viral-after-rage-clip-while-working-at-dominos-resurfaces-2666713/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref>
Tran grew up in the ] as the son of ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Hanna |date=2024-11-06 |title=2024 Election Results: Rep. Michelle Steel leads Derek Tran by 58 votes in California’s 45th congressional district |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/11/05/2024-election-results-michelle-steel-vs-derek-tran-for-californias-45th-congressional-district/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref> His father escaped from ] following the ] in 1975, but his wife and children were killed after their boat capsized. Later, Tran's father returned to Vietnam where he would meet Tran's mother, after which they immigrated to the ] together.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Laura J. |last2=Hernandez |first2=Angie Orellana |date=2024-10-22 |title='Red-baiting' accusations fly between congressional campaigns in competitive Orange County race |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-10-22/congressional-district-47-campaign-mailers-facebook-red-baiting-accusations-steel-tran |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

When he turned 18, Tran enlisted in the ].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Two Asian Americans in tight race for CA's AAPI heavy 45th District |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/inside-the-issues/2024/10/30/two-asian-americans-in-tight-race-for-ca-s-aapi-heavy-45th-district- |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=California's District 45, House of Representatives: Steel vs Tran - Election results |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/elections/californias-district-45-house-of-representatives-steel-vs-tran/103-4a22190b-6e5b-4962-8c45-cf714d2e7776 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=abc10.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He spent eight years serving.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Laura J. |date=2024-08-30 |title=Will a Vietnamese American candidate help Democrats win a congressional seat in Little Saigon? |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-30/vietnamese-voters-ca-45-derek-tran-michelle-steel |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2012, Tran moved to Orange County.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Angie Orellana |date=2024-10-03 |title=Your guide to California's 45th Congressional District race: Steel vs. Tran |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-03/2024-california-election-congressional-district-45-steel-tran-voter-guide?_gl=1*1gwtq0b*_gcl_au*NTEwODkzNjAxLjE3MzE4Nzk5ODQ. |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Career == == Career ==
Tran has worked as an attorney since 2014; he started his own firm called Tran Firm in ] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Lilly |date=2023-10-03 |title=Veteran and business owner Derek Tran announces bid to represent state's 45th District in Congress |url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-10-02/veteran-and-business-owner-derek-tran-announces-bid-for-ca-45 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Daily Pilot |language=en-US}}</ref> Specifically, he has worked as a ], ], and ] attorney.<ref name=":7" /> In 2023, Feher Law, a practice in ], acquired Tran's firm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Hanna |date=2024-08-26 |title=How gender-based issues are playing a role in the race between Rep. Michelle Steel and Derek Tran |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/26/how-gender-based-issues-are-playing-a-role-in-the-race-between-rep-michelle-steel-and-derek-tran/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== NPC Miles Morales ===
Tran has also served on the board of the Consumer Attorneys Association of America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Angie Orellana |date=2024-10-03 |title=Your guide to California's 45th Congressional District race: Steel vs. Tran |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-03/2024-california-election-congressional-district-45-steel-tran-voter-guide?_gl=1*1gwtq0b*_gcl_au*NTEwODkzNjAxLjE3MzE4Nzk5ODQ. |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> With regard to public office, he has served as a traffic commissioner for ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schallhorn |first=Kaitlyn |date=2024-10-04 |title=Derek Tran, CA-45 candidate, 2024 election questionnaire |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/04/derek-tran-ca-45-candidate-2024-election-questionnaire/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref> He also co-owns a pharmacy in ] with his wife, Michelle, and tutors underprivileged children at a nearby school.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Marans |first=Daniel |date=2023-10-02 |title=Democrat Derek Tran Announces Bid For Key California House Seat |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrat-derek-tran-california-house-seat_n_6519ffdfe4b05c5fe1b6ce11 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>
Prior to his career on social media, Ambersley was homeless.<ref name=":0" /> Starting in 2023, he began creating content on Twitch and TikTok under the channel name of Leaks World. In particular, he gained traction and attention for his live streams on ] where he performed out in public as Miles Morales by repeating a stock set of lines. For these performances, he was dubbed "NPC Miles Morales," referring to the video game and slang term of ] (NPC). At the time, content creators pretending to be NPCs was becoming a lucrative trend, as users would send paid gifts to them as they performed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Edith Jennifer |date=2023-08-08 |title=People are pretending to be ‘NPCs’ on TikTok and it’s not just weird, it’s also lucrative |url=https://theconversation.com/people-are-pretending-to-be-npcs-on-tiktok-and-its-not-just-weird-its-also-lucrative-210795 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> Through the platform's gift system, in which viewers can pay to send gifts to live streams, Ambersley, while imitating Miles Morales, would repeat a unique set of lines particular to each specific gift similar to how an NPC in a video game would.


Other times, such as whenever his performance was interfered with by a passerby, Ambersley would break character, sometimes causing a viral moment.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2024-11-05 |title=NPC Miles Morales is the undisputed star of TikTok Live |url=https://www.polygon.com/culture/474340/npc-miles-morales-tiktok-live |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> Some of Ambersley's most viral and, at times, controversial moments included him getting robbed, landing in trouble with law enforcement, and even ending up in physical altercations.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Taylor-Hill |first=Grant |date=2024-12-04 |title=NPC Miles Morales Will Be Hanging Up The Suit To Do 'Real' Streams |url=https://insider-gaming.com/npc-miles-morales-retire-streams/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Insider Gaming |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=NPC Miles Morales breaks character & questions his future after being robbed on stream |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/npc-miles-morales-breaks-character-questions-his-future-after-being-robbed-on-stream-2675946/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref> Once, Ambersley drew controversy for performing inside of a store; he also broke character to swear and lash out at another NPC streamer beside him in public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bal |first=Aaratrika |date=2024-08-20 |title="This is just embarrassing now" — Internet reacts to TikToker NPC Miles Morales recording video on a store's top shelf |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-this-just-embarrassing-now-internet-reacts-tiktoker-npc-miles-morales-recording-video-store-s-top-shelf |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NPC Miles Morales Confronts Streamer Nearby for Being 'So... |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/tracewilliamcowen/npc-miles-morales-breaks-character-to-question-why-fellow |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=NPC Miles Morales breaks character to shout at "annoying" NPC cat girl |url=https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/npc-miles-morales-breaks-character-to-shout-at-annoying-npc-cat-girl-2659178/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref> On other occasions, he ran from police officers and spoke to a security guard while in character.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=NPC Miles Morales runs from police during gas station livestream |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/npc-miles-morales-runs-from-police-during-gas-station-livestream-2451218/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NPC Miles Morales refuses to break character after security guard confronts him |url=https://www.indy100.com/viral/miles-morales-npc-tiktok |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=www.indy100.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Miles Morales NPC TikToker Confronted by Security |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jose-martinez/miles-morales-npc-tiktoker-confronted-by-security |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> On August 11, 2024, '']'' reported that Ambersley had been arrested during one of his live streams; footage revealed that he had started a fight with other individuals in a parking garage prior to starting his NPC segment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byll |first=Brett |date=2024-08-11 |title=NPC Miles Morales Handcuffed by Police |url=https://gamerant.com/npc-miles-morales-handcuffed-police-arrest/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref>
== 2024 House election ==
{{See also|2024 California's 45th congressional district election}}At the end of 2023, Tran announced that he would run for the ] seat on behalf of ], thus entering the Democratic primary.<ref name=":8" /> In March, Tran secured his position as the Democratic nominee, beating another candidate, Kim Nguyen-Penaloza, by 366 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Hanna |date=2024-03-25 |title=In CA-45 race, Rep. Michelle Steel and Derek Tran will face off in November |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/03/25/in-ca-45-race-rep-michelle-steel-and-derek-tran-will-face-off-in-november/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>


Some publications, like ], have compared his performances to "those street performers who pretend to be statues"; ''Polygon'' also opined that "His genre of content blends the live stunt antics of someone like Kai Cenat with a specific meme-like video game humor that I associate with early Smosh YouTube videos."<ref name=":0" /> ''Insider Gaming'' called Ambersley "by far the most prolific creator" to have leaned into TikTok's NPC trend between 2023 and 2024.<ref name=":3" /> '']'' called him and ] "two of the most famous NPC streamers."<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeSena |first=Gabby |date=2024-11-03 |title=iCarly, NPC Miles Morales, Banned — Kai Cenat's Subathon So Far |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/kai-cenat-subathon-icarly-recap |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Esports Illustrated |language=en-US}}</ref> By November 2024, Leaks World amassed over a million followers on TikTok.<ref name=":0" />
After winning the March primary, Tran became the district's Democratic candidate to challenge ], a Republican running for a third term.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huang |first=Josie |date=2024-11-05 |title=This Orange County House race is the most expensive in the US |url=https://laist.com/news/politics/most-expensive-house-race-45-steel-tran-congressional |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref> The district is considered a "battleground district" insofar as it was won by ] in 2020 but has its seat occupied by a member of the ].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Montoya |first=Ruben |date=2024-10-28 |title=Election: Republican held CA-45 Michelle Steel seat closely contested by Derek Tran |url=https://dailytitan.com/news/election-republican-held-ca-45-michelle-steel-seat-closely-contested-by-derek-tran/article_a0b1a88e-9559-11ef-bd6b-a7947cb5ea7c.html |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Daily Titan |language=en}}</ref> Tran's campaign emphasized the centrality of his ] identity to his bid, as the district encompasses parts of ] and ] and is considered a ], including cities ] and ], which have predominantly Vietnamese American communities, as well as ] and ] where ] are the largest demographic by race.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fioresi |first=Dean |date=2024-11-05 |title=Orange County Republican Rep. Michelle Steel faces Democrat Derek Tran in closely watched congressional race - CBS Los Angeles |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-45th-congressional-district-orange-county-michelle-steel-derek-tran-2024-election/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Ken |title=How a California Democrat hopes to become Little Saigon's first Vietnamese House member |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/06/09/derek-tran-vietnamese-democrat-california-house/73926911007/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> ] reported that the district was 39% Asian.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Hanna |date=2024-11-17 |title=Election 2024: Derek Tran takes slim lead in California’s 45th congressional district |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/11/16/election-2024-derek-tran-takes-slim-lead-in-californias-45th-congressional-district/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== Endorsements === === Collaborations ===
Outside of his TikTok Lives, Ambersley and his NPC Miles Morales bit have appeared on online segments with other social media personalities like Druski.<ref name=":0" /> During streamer Kai Cenat's month-long streaming marathon, called ''Mafiathon 2'', starting on November 1, 2024, Ambersley participated in several days of Cenat's programming. One night, Ambersley read out the names of new subscribers to Cenat's channel while Cenat was sleeping on the stream.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kai Cenat Links NPC Miles Morales, 'Spider-Verse' Star Sh... |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/kai-cenat-npc-miles-morales-shameik-moore |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> Occasionally, he would break character and lash out at some of the streaming marathon's participants including Cenat himself, Druski, and comedian ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=December 5, 2024 |title=NPC Miles Morales on Streaming Career: ‘I Need to Branch ... |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/backwoodsaltar/npc-miles-morales-streamer-branch-out |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> Regarding the NPC Miles Morales bit, Hart joked that it seemed like Ambersley was "stuck in Nickelodeon".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title="They get the black kids and their voices never come back": Kevin Hart Says NPC Miles Morales is Trapped in Nickelodeon to Give Him a Reality Check |url=https://fandomwire.com/they-get-the-black-kids-and-their-voices-never-come-back-kevin-hart-says-npc-miles-morales-is-trapped-in-nickelodeon-to-give-him-a-reality-check/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=fandomwire.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tran was endorsed by the ''Los Angeles Times''. The editorial board stated that "In contrast to Steel, he is a believer in helping Americans gain quality, affordable education and healthcare—and respecting their freedom to make their own medical and family decisions."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |date=2024-09-09 |title=Endorsement: Rep. Michelle Steel needs to go. Derek Tran for the 45th Congressional District |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-09-09/endorsement-gop-michelle-steel-needs-to-go-derek-tran-for-congress |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


On November 2, Ambersley got to meet actor ], who voiced Miles Morales in '']'' and '']'', after Cenat invited Moore to the house where the streaming marathon was taking place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onder |first=Cade |date=2024-11-09 |title=NPC Miles Morales Meets Spider-Verse Actor Shameik Moore on Kai Cenat Stream |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/npc-miles-morales-meets-spider-verse-actor-shameik-moore-kai-cenat-mafiathon/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Together, they chatted outside of their personas and danced to songs from the Miles Morales films' soundtracks, including "Sunflower" by ] and ].<ref name=":1" />
== Political positions ==


During an interview with ], Cenat stated that he chose Ambersley to appear during his streaming marathon because he had "seen people making fun of him and not treating him like he was just trying to go and get it" and thus wanted to stand up for him and provide him with a platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapoor |first=Atharv |date=2024-11-24 |title=Kai Cenat explains why he chose NPC Miles Morales to collaborate on his Mafiathon 2 streams |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/streamers/news-kai-cenat-explains-chose-npc-miles-morales-collaborate-mafiathon-2-streams |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=] |language=en-us}}</ref>
=== Law enforcement ===
Tran has expressed support for Proposition 36, or the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, arguing that it will maintain order but also provide rehabilitation and "second chances" to community members.<ref name=":0" />


=== Economy === === Future plans ===
On a Twitch stream, Ambersley indicated his intentions to move past his NPC performances and start streaming as himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Connor |date=2024-12-05 |title=NPC Miles Morales is ‘retiring’ to stream more normally with help from Kai Cenat |url=https://www.dexerto.com/twitch/npc-miles-morales-is-retiring-to-steam-more-normally-with-help-from-kai-cenat-2999084/ |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref> When asked if he would still perform as NPC Miles Morales, he said, "No, I think I would rather want to be known as me. I'll still do the characters every now and then but as in doing the NPC thing, standing outside, I don't think so. I think at some point, I need to branch out." He also stated that Cenat had been inspirational to him in his decision to pivot as a social media personality.<ref name=":2" />
Tran supports a tax deduction on state and local taxes on ], stating it causes undue burden to the middle-class living in the state. He has also expressed his desire to reduce taxes and eliminate bureaucratic red tape to support small businesses and middle-class families nationwide; he is additionally interested in investing in ], combating ], protecting ], and making the ] livable.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" />


Along with other streamers, Ambersley has drawn criticism for leading streaming marathons of his own following the success of Cenat's. Pushing back on hate comments, Ambersley defended his choice, stating that Cenat encouraged him and others to continue streaming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kapoor |first=Atharv |date=2024-12-07 |title="You guys need some help": NPC Miles Morales responds to hate comments after starting his own streaming career |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/streamers/news-you-guys-need-help-npc-miles-morales-responds-hate-comments-starting-streaming-career |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=] |language=en-us}}</ref>
=== Social services ===
Tran has expressed his support for protecting ] and ].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Angie Orellana |date=2024-10-03 |title=Your guide to California's 45th Congressional District race: Steel vs. Tran |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-03/2024-california-election-congressional-district-45-steel-tran-voter-guide?_gl=1*1gwtq0b*_gcl_au*NTEwODkzNjAxLjE3MzE4Nzk5ODQ. |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== Housing === == References ==
<references />
Tran supports federal funding for affordable housing through expanding the ], endorsing ], and creating new grants at the federal level to help local and state governments nationwide with low- and middle-income households.<ref name=":5" /> With regard to ], he supports a ] approach as well as investments in mental health and substance abuse services.<ref name=":0" />


]
=== Environment ===
]
Tran has refused donations from the ].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=Derek Tran, CA-45 candidate, 2024 primary election questionnaire |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/01/20/derek-tran-ca-45-candidate-2024-primary-election-questionnaire/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref> He has stated his intentions to invest more money into ]'s infrastructure to support ] and jobs in ]. He supports ] and has indicated that he would ban ] while endorsing policies that develop clean energy, impose penalties on polluting entities, and protect water in the state of California.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" />
]

]
=== Reproductive health ===
]
Tran considers abortion to be a "number one issue" in his district.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Jenna |last2=Kuang |first2=Jeanne |date=2024-10-21 |title=Why California Democrats believe abortion issue can win them back the U.S. House |url=https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2024/10/california-abortion-election-congress/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |work=CalMatters |language=en-US}}</ref> He supports nationwide legislation that provides access to ] and other fertility treatments as well as ] writ large, stating that individuals should be able to make medical and health decisions about their own bodies without government interference; he also stated he would vote for abortion rights at the federal level and that he supports ].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" />

=== Immigration ===
Tran has criticized the ]'s hardball stance on immigration, stating that mass deportations were inhumane.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Hanna |date=2024-10-21 |title=California’s 45th congressional race is a close one between Rep. Michelle Steel and Derek Tran |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/10/21/californias-45th-congressional-race-is-a-close-one-between-rep-michelle-steel-and-derek-tran/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref> He has shared his own ideas for immigration reform that emphasizes technology and officer training, modernizing ] procedures, and "a fair path to citizenship for the undocumented immigrants who are already contributing to our economy and society."<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":0" /> He also stated that he would reintroduce the bipartisan border security bill that previously didn't pass.<ref name=":0" />

=== Healthcare ===
Tran stated that he would take on ] and the ] in order to reduce the costs of ] and ].

=== Supreme Court ===
When asked about ]'s proposed reforms to the ], Tran specifically advocated for justices to put all of their relevant assets into ], to be forbidden from accepting gifts, and to be especially scrutinized for potentially "partisan actions they or their family members may be engaged in."<ref name=":0" /> Ahead of the March primary in 2024, he stated that ]' behavior around gifts was unacceptable. However, Tran does not support an expansion of the courts.<ref name=":10" />

=== Artificial intelligence ===
Tran supports federal-level regulations on ] in order to minimize ], establish penalties for misuse, and clearly label generated content.<ref name=":0" />

=== Foreign policy ===
Tran has declared support for America's allies, specifically ] and ], as well as the broader principle of promoting democracy and stability across the globe.<ref name=":10" />

=== Age limits ===
Tran has indicated interest in the possibility of age limits for presidential and Congressional candidates.<ref name=":0" />

== Controversies ==

=== Cases ===
During Tran's bid for Congress, Steel raised questions about Tran's record as a lawyer, pointing out a case where Tran defended a ] manager in ] who was fired after displaying a noose in his office, as well as another case involving a different Safeway manager who faced complaints for sexual harassment. In light of Steel's messaging, Tran's campaign has not commented on his case record.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Melanie |date=September 18, 2024 |title=A Democrat in a key House race is running on his law career. It could be a liability. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/18/derek-tran-former-clients-house-race-00179758 |work=]}}</ref>

=== Vietnamese American identity ===
During the 2024 election, Tran's opponent, ], stated on a Vietnamese television outlet that she understood and worked with the Vietnamese community in the district much better than Tran. Shortly after, Tran called the remarks "insulting and disgraceful."<ref name=":4" /> The ] subsequently condemned Steel's comments.<ref name=":6" />

In August of 2024, the ] called out Tran for bringing a translator with him to interviews and events, questioning whether he was actually fluent the ] despite Tran previously claiming to be.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Christenson |first=Josh |date=2024-08-30 |title=California House Dem candidate admits he's not fluent in Vietnamese — one day after The Post exposed him |url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/30/us-news/california-house-dem-candidate-admits-hes-not-fluent-in-vietnamese-one-day-after-the-post-exposed-him/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Steel's campaign additionally used Tran's waning proficiency as a point of criticism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Qin |first=Amy |date=October 31, 2024 |title=In Orange County, a Key House Race Could Come Down to Little Saigon Voters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/us/elections/steel-tran-vietnamese-ca-45.html |work=]}}</ref> At the end of August, Tran admitted to the ] that he had lost his childhood fluency and has since spoken "broken Vietnamese."<ref name=":9" /> However, Tran's campaign additionally provided a series of video clips in which Tran occasionally spoke Vietnamese on television.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Derek Tran says he’s fluent in Vietnamese. Rep. Michelle Steel’s campaign says he’s not. |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/09/06/derek-tran-says-hes-fluent-in-vietnamese-rep-michelle-steels-campaign-says-hes-not/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Comments against Michelle Steel's background ===
In May of 2024, Tran attempted to draw distinctions between his own family background to that of Steel's, stating that Steel immigrated to the United States for "economic gain," not because she was a refugee fleeing communism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dems go outside to flip a key Orange County House seat |url=https://punchbowl.news/article/election-2024/derek-tran-looks-to-flip-seat-michelle-steel/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Punchbowl News |language=en-US}}</ref> Several Asian American leaders and organizations subsequently condemned Tran's comment and asked him to apologize to Steel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Alex |title=How a top House race became a fight over communism, immigration, and Asian American identity |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/10/michelle-steel-derek-tran-californai-45-house-race-communism/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Allegations of communist sympathies ===
In the months leading up to the 2024 election, Tran accused Steel's husband, Shawn, of accepting bribes from the ] in exchange for information, stating that Steel thus cannot be trusted with political office in the ].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haskell |first=Josh |date=2024-10-30 |title=Accusations of red-baiting in OC congressional race between Michelle Steel and Derek Tran |url=https://abc7.com/post/accusations-red-baiting-oc-congressional-race-between-michelle-steel-derek-tran/15485918/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en}}</ref>

Later, on October 22, 2024, the ] reported that Steel's campaign was sending out campaign mailers associating Tran with ] and accusing him of supporting socialism. Following Tran's disclosure in August that he held ], Steel also claimed that his cryptocurrency assets were bound up in ].<ref name=":2" /> In the ensuing controversy, Steel defended her position, stating it was a provoked defense from Tran's earlier messaging.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Angie Orellana |date=2024-11-06 |title=Steel and Tran locked in tight race for California's 45th Congressional District |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-11-05/election-night-results-for-california-congressional-district-45 |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The mutual accusations caused several Asian American nonprofits to pen a letter to both parties stating that such rhetoric should be withheld in the race.<ref name=":4" />

== Personal life ==
Tran lives in Orange with his wife, Michelle, and their three children.<ref name=":1" /> Tran is a fan on ].<ref name=":0" />

== References ==

Latest revision as of 00:57, 27 December 2024

Malik Ambersley, also known by his username Leaks World, is a social media personality based on Twitch and TikTok. He gained viral fame starting in 2023 for doing interactive live streams cosplaying and acting as the Marvel Comics superhero Miles Morales, after which he was referred to as "NPC Miles Morales." In 2024, he appeared in online content with streamers like Druski and Kai Cenat.

Early life

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambersley worked at Domino's in St. Petersburg, Florida. There, he was the subject of a viral clip depicting him "being outraged after not having received a tip from a customer while on shift" and smashing pizza boxes. He stated that no one was in the store at the time and that he was not fired for his actions.

Career

NPC Miles Morales

Prior to his career on social media, Ambersley was homeless. Starting in 2023, he began creating content on Twitch and TikTok under the channel name of Leaks World. In particular, he gained traction and attention for his live streams on TikTok Live where he performed out in public as Miles Morales by repeating a stock set of lines. For these performances, he was dubbed "NPC Miles Morales," referring to the video game and slang term of non-player character (NPC). At the time, content creators pretending to be NPCs was becoming a lucrative trend, as users would send paid gifts to them as they performed. Through the platform's gift system, in which viewers can pay to send gifts to live streams, Ambersley, while imitating Miles Morales, would repeat a unique set of lines particular to each specific gift similar to how an NPC in a video game would.

Other times, such as whenever his performance was interfered with by a passerby, Ambersley would break character, sometimes causing a viral moment. Some of Ambersley's most viral and, at times, controversial moments included him getting robbed, landing in trouble with law enforcement, and even ending up in physical altercations. Once, Ambersley drew controversy for performing inside of a store; he also broke character to swear and lash out at another NPC streamer beside him in public. On other occasions, he ran from police officers and spoke to a security guard while in character. On August 11, 2024, GameRant reported that Ambersley had been arrested during one of his live streams; footage revealed that he had started a fight with other individuals in a parking garage prior to starting his NPC segment.

Some publications, like Polygon, have compared his performances to "those street performers who pretend to be statues"; Polygon also opined that "His genre of content blends the live stunt antics of someone like Kai Cenat with a specific meme-like video game humor that I associate with early Smosh YouTube videos." Insider Gaming called Ambersley "by far the most prolific creator" to have leaned into TikTok's NPC trend between 2023 and 2024. Esports Illustrated called him and Pinkydoll "two of the most famous NPC streamers." By November 2024, Leaks World amassed over a million followers on TikTok.

Collaborations

Outside of his TikTok Lives, Ambersley and his NPC Miles Morales bit have appeared on online segments with other social media personalities like Druski. During streamer Kai Cenat's month-long streaming marathon, called Mafiathon 2, starting on November 1, 2024, Ambersley participated in several days of Cenat's programming. One night, Ambersley read out the names of new subscribers to Cenat's channel while Cenat was sleeping on the stream. Occasionally, he would break character and lash out at some of the streaming marathon's participants including Cenat himself, Druski, and comedian Kevin Hart. Regarding the NPC Miles Morales bit, Hart joked that it seemed like Ambersley was "stuck in Nickelodeon".

On November 2, Ambersley got to meet actor Shameik Moore, who voiced Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, after Cenat invited Moore to the house where the streaming marathon was taking place. Together, they chatted outside of their personas and danced to songs from the Miles Morales films' soundtracks, including "Sunflower" by Post Malone and Swae Lee.

During an interview with Nardwuar, Cenat stated that he chose Ambersley to appear during his streaming marathon because he had "seen people making fun of him and not treating him like he was just trying to go and get it" and thus wanted to stand up for him and provide him with a platform.

Future plans

On a Twitch stream, Ambersley indicated his intentions to move past his NPC performances and start streaming as himself. When asked if he would still perform as NPC Miles Morales, he said, "No, I think I would rather want to be known as me. I'll still do the characters every now and then but as in doing the NPC thing, standing outside, I don't think so. I think at some point, I need to branch out." He also stated that Cenat had been inspirational to him in his decision to pivot as a social media personality.

Along with other streamers, Ambersley has drawn criticism for leading streaming marathons of his own following the success of Cenat's. Pushing back on hate comments, Ambersley defended his choice, stating that Cenat encouraged him and others to continue streaming.

References

  1. Hargrave, Sam (2024-11-10). "NPC Miles Morales Gets Surprised by Real Spider-Verse Actor on Kai Cenat's Stream". The Direct. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  2. ^ "Kai Cenat Links NPC Miles Morales, 'Spider-Verse' Star Sh..." Complex. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  3. "NPC Miles Morales goes viral after rage clip while working at Dominos resurfaces". Dexerto. 2024-04-27. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  4. ^ Diaz, Ana (2024-11-05). "NPC Miles Morales is the undisputed star of TikTok Live". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  5. Hill, Edith Jennifer (2023-08-08). "People are pretending to be 'NPCs' on TikTok and it's not just weird, it's also lucrative". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  6. ^ Taylor-Hill, Grant (2024-12-04). "NPC Miles Morales Will Be Hanging Up The Suit To Do 'Real' Streams". Insider Gaming. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  7. "NPC Miles Morales breaks character & questions his future after being robbed on stream". Dexerto. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  8. Bal, Aaratrika (2024-08-20). ""This is just embarrassing now" — Internet reacts to TikToker NPC Miles Morales recording video on a store's top shelf". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  9. "NPC Miles Morales Confronts Streamer Nearby for Being 'So..." Complex. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  10. "NPC Miles Morales breaks character to shout at "annoying" NPC cat girl". Dexerto. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  11. "NPC Miles Morales runs from police during gas station livestream". Dexerto. 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  12. "NPC Miles Morales refuses to break character after security guard confronts him". www.indy100.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  13. "Miles Morales NPC TikToker Confronted by Security". Complex. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  14. Byll, Brett (2024-08-11). "NPC Miles Morales Handcuffed by Police". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  15. DeSena, Gabby (2024-11-03). "iCarly, NPC Miles Morales, Banned — Kai Cenat's Subathon So Far". Esports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  16. ^ Price, Joe (December 5, 2024). "NPC Miles Morales on Streaming Career: 'I Need to Branch ..." Complex. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  17. ""They get the black kids and their voices never come back": Kevin Hart Says NPC Miles Morales is Trapped in Nickelodeon to Give Him a Reality Check". fandomwire.com. 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  18. Onder, Cade (2024-11-09). "NPC Miles Morales Meets Spider-Verse Actor Shameik Moore on Kai Cenat Stream". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  19. Kapoor, Atharv (2024-11-24). "Kai Cenat explains why he chose NPC Miles Morales to collaborate on his Mafiathon 2 streams". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  20. Bennett, Connor (2024-12-05). "NPC Miles Morales is 'retiring' to stream more normally with help from Kai Cenat". Dexerto. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  21. Kapoor, Atharv (2024-12-07). ""You guys need some help": NPC Miles Morales responds to hate comments after starting his own streaming career". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
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