Interview With Elyse - Girlfriend of Yukeo
I chat with the girlfriend of Yukeo, Elyse, on what it's like to be in a relationship with a professional gamer.
Being in a relationship with a professional gamer can be much different than your typical relationship. Professional gamers have busy schedules and travel often. I talked with Elyse, who is the girlfriend of Dignitas Rocket League player, Maurice "Yukeo" Weihs. She talked about how they met, events she's been to, and what her hopes are for both of their futures. She is also a streamer herself and is a huge fan of Maurice and the team.
For those that don’t know, how did you and Maurice (Yukeo) meet and how long have you been a couple?
Elyse: Last year, I went to RLCS S6 LAN and it was my first time at a Rocket League event. I wasn’t super into the game, but I had decided to go because it was going to be my 21st birthday and I wanted to celebrate it in Vegas. I remember seeing him walk out onto the stage for the first time and thinking, “Woah…. he’s um… really cute.” I already was a fan of Flipsid3, but I had actually never seen their faces. I just saw some league play.
That weekend, a lot of crazy things happened with me meeting people because they liked my hair and eventually, on the last day, I was offered a VIP wristband at the afterparty. We met while we were dancing with everyone and then he left upstairs, but I used the bracelet to find him again and get to talk to him again. I never thought I’d see him again (I only told him my first name and I didn’t even tell him how to spell it ) but he found my Twitter the next day and asked if I wanted to play RL and we have talked every day since. We kind of just say that we’ve been together since we met each other, so I would say 5 months about to be 6.
What were some initial qualities that you found attractive about him?
Elyse: After the party, I went back to Texas and he went back to Austria, so I thought that was the end of that. So when I got a DM from him, he was so sweet and he just wanted to assure me that he was really polite and nice and respectful. You don’t really see a lot of people go to lengths of finding your Twitter just to tell you that. Also, our first Discord call was so natural. It was like I found my long-lost best friend.
When you aren’t watching or spending time with him, what things do you personally enjoy doing?
Elyse: I love theatre and dance. That’s what I study in college, so usually I am preparing for a show or learning new dances for auditions. In December, I started streaming on Twitch just to make new friends and meet people and be able to watch Maurice’s games with other people which has been so much fun! I also have attempted to learn Rocket League because Maurice said he won’t play with me until I’m Platinum… I’m Gold 3 division 3 and I have about 5 hours in the game.
Has he tried to get you to play Rocket League with him? If so, how did that go?
Elyse: He’s never tried to get me to play purposefully - it’s usually me trying to convince him why he should play with me even though I’m really bad at it, haha. He asked me to play with him for the very first time recently on stream and that was fun. He gets tilted when we play together because I’ll try, but that doesn’t mean much, but he loves me, so he tries to hide it and just coach me. But now he actually tries to teach me and I think one day we’ll become 2s players as a team… he just doesn’t know it yet.
What are some events that you’ve been able to attend to watch Maurice play in and do you have a favorite?
Elyse: Since I have met him in November, I have gone to every event he has played in. I’ve been to RLCS, but not as his girlfriend (which let me tell you, I miss when I used to not be stressed out watching this game, haha) ELEAGUE, WSOE, and DreamHack Leipzig. RLCS I think was my favorite just because it was the biggest, but DreamHack I think because we could watch them practice and play, so whenever he started to get nervous, he was able to quickly just look at me or hug me and I could remind him that everything was going to work out and not to be nervous.
What are your hopes for his personal and gaming future?
Elyse: For his gaming future, I really hope that he can one day win an RLCS title because that’s his whole dream and I know how badly he wants to work for that. I hope that he can be as successful as he tries to be and that one day, he can do everything he dreams. For his personal future I hope that he can also do everything he wants. Like, moving to the city and buying a place (possibly together) and just adulting successfully. Our goal is for me to move and go finish school in Austria so we can have a life together and not separate anymore.
Are your families supportive of his passion for gaming?
Elyse: His family is very supportive of him. Mine, on the other hand, had no idea what this was or how it was even possible. But I eventually explained it and showed them the game and now everyone understands the game and the league and the whole process and they find it just as interesting as football, so that’s pretty cool.
Being in the professional gaming scene can lead to busy schedules due to tournaments, practicing, etc. – Do you find it challenging to find time together? Especially being thousands of miles apart?
Elyse: Honestly, at first it wasn’t hard. It was really easy in fact. We are on a seven hour time difference, so we would wake up roughly at the same time and when he has scrims I am in class and then while he streams I’m usually working at my job and when I am on break we will call each other and we always have to call to say goodnight, even if it’s just for a few seconds. We just find the time that we both have and use it wisely.
Where do you hope both of you are a year from now?
Elyse: A year from now I would hope we’re living together and preferably in Austria. I hope that we are happy and can finally agree on which type of puppy we want as our first dog. I hope he will have won another major LAN title and that we’re secure enough to live own our own over there.
As a final, fun question – do you guys have any pet names for each other?
Elyse: “Rabbit”. If you know, you know.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for us! Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to?
Elyse: Anytime! I’d like to shoutout Mel, Mira, Cailee and Chelsea because I don’t know what I’d do without them! I love each of them so much! I’d like to should out all the "Flexers" who watch the games with me and laugh with me and support Maurice. Also, shoutout to everyone who supports me in my streams. I love all you guys so much, and you all are all seriously my favorite people to spend time with online!
Be sure and follow Elyse below to keep up with her and Maurice!
