Gab Smolders, whose real name is Evelien Smolders, is a prominent Dutch YouTuber and Twitch streamer known for her captivating horror game playthroughs. Born on September 11, 1988, in the Netherlands, she has built a dedicated fanbase—affectionately called “Gabbers”—through her calm, immersive, and insightful commentary style.
Early Life and Background
Evelien grew up in the Netherlands as the youngest of four siblings, with two older sisters and one older brother. From a young age, she developed a passion for gaming, starting with classics like Super Mario Bros. on the NES and Super Mario 64 on the N64. Her love for horror games began around age 14 with titles like Fatal Frame, which would later become a staple on her channel.
After high school, where she played handball as a goalkeeper, Evelien pursued studies in Japanese language and culture. She earned a master’s degree and lived in Japan for about 7 years, working as a translator and even modeling. Her fluency in Japanese has been a unique asset, allowing her to play and translate obscure Japanese horror games for her audience.
Career on YouTube and Twitch
Gab launched her YouTube channel on September 24, 2014, initially under the name GirlGamerGab (or GG Gab). The nickname “Gab” originated from her old Xbox username “GebrekAanBeter,” which means “for lack of a better” option in Dutch. In 2019, as her channel grew, she rebranded to Gab Smolders to move away from the “girl gamer” label.
Her content primarily focuses on horror games, including series like Fatal Frame, Outlast, Silent Hill, Until Dawn, and Clock Tower. She also branches into narrative-driven, puzzle, and cozy mystery games. Known for her invested, quiet, and thoughtful reactions—contrasting louder streamers—Gab’s long-form Let’s Plays often run over an hour, drawing viewers who appreciate deep immersion.
As of late 2025, her channel boasts over 1.26 million subscribers and hundreds of millions of total views, with popular series continuing to attract new fans. She regularly streams on Twitch under the handle @gabsmolders, engaging with live audiences.
Collaborations and Personal Life
Gab has collaborated with fellow creators such as John Wolfe, Sinow, Mr. Kravin, and even the Game Grumps members Suzy Berhow and Arin Hanson. She was previously married to YouTuber Pyke (TaiyouInc), who appeared in her videos as “Gab-Man,” but they divorced amicably.
Since 2019, Gab has been in a relationship with Irish YouTuber Sean McLoughlin, better known as Jacksepticeye. The couple lives together in Brighton, England, along with their cat BB. They occasionally collaborate on videos and streams, delighting fans of both channels.
Legacy and Appeal
What sets Gab apart in the gaming community is her genuine enthusiasm, linguistic skills for translating Japanese titles, and a serene presence that makes even the scariest games feel approachable. Her journey from a Japan-based translator to a full-time content creator inspires many, proving that passion for niche genres like horror can build a thriving career.
With consistent uploads of new playthroughs in 2025, including titles like South of Midnight and Post Trauma, Gab Smolders continues to thrill and grow her community, solidifying her status as a beloved figure in gaming YouTube.
