Andrea Botez Reveals All: Levy Rozman Feud, Dating Life, And Self-Image

In a spicy new episode of Chess.com's Lie Detector Chess, Andrea Botez dives into everything from her life as a content creator and competitive chess player, her dating life, her dynamic with her sister, and even candid thoughts on her appearance.

The questions were bold and unfiltered: Would she give her life for her sister? Has she been attracted to GM Magnus Carlsen? What's the truth behind her beef with IM Levy Rozman? And more provocatively, is Andrea only famous because of her looks?

Watch the episode here:

The newest installment of Chess.com's Lie Detector Chess series follows last month's episode on her sister, WFM Alexandra Botez, who faced her own grilling, where she candidly revealed sibling rivalry, family tensions, and even her Carlsen crush. Now the tables were turned as it was Andrea's time to face questions from her sister and special guests WGMs Dina Belenkaya, Nemo Zhou, and WFM Anna Cramling with the polygraph controlled by Orjan Hesjedal.

Chess.com's Lie Detector Chess has previously featured top chess personalities such as WFM Anna Cramling who was forced to reveal her true feelings about her career, while IM Anna Rudolf opened up about mean comments on social media and the "lipstick scandal," while Carlsen appeared in April together with GM David Howell. 

Together with her sister, Andrea Botez is among the chess world's most famous personalities thanks to her massive 867,000 Instagram followers, with 430,000 on X (formerly Twitter). Last year the sisters were named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Games category, followed by Rolling Stone's list of the 20 Most Influential Creators in 2023. 

They have a massive following on their YouTube (1.7 million followers) and Twitch (1.3 million) channel BotezLive, but Andrea has recently launched a music career as a DJ, and her most popular song has 3 million views on YouTube.

new dark techno mix on YouTube 👹 you know where to go 🥰 pic.twitter.com/FdEBclxvx5

— Andrea Botez (@itsandreabotez) October 5, 2024

The episode kicked off with Belenkaya asking a cheeky question if she was her best friend. Andrea responded: "My best friend is my sister, but Dina is one of my best friends"—before answering the same question from Alexandra. "I love all these ladies very much, but my sister is my favorite person in the world," Andrea said, a claim the polygraph backed up.

The sisters recently returned to competitive chess with success, playing several tournaments around Europe, and even hosted a FIDE-rated chess camp for female creators. Andrea proved her skills on the board with excellent results and set a personal FIDE best of 1906. She has since dropped below the barrier, but the talent is indisputable.

But does Andrea actually enjoy playing chess? Her answer may come as a surprise to many. "I enjoy chess content, and I enjoy streaming. I don't enjoy competitive chess." Fact check: True.

Another surprise came with her acknowledgment of tension with Rozman. Confirming that she has a "beef" with him, Andrea didn’t hold back against GothamChess: “He genuinely annoys me,” she laughed, alluding to his clickbait tendencies. "I bet he thinks I'm annoying too. Our job is to annoy each other, literally." The polygraph confirmed her playful banter.

He genuinely annoys me! I bet he thinks I'm annoying too. Our job is to annoy each other, literally.

—Andrea Botez on Levy Rozman

It didn't take long into the episode before Andrea was forced to answer a question about her dating life. "I am very single and I would like to fall in love, but the cards just aren't in my favor," she said with a grin. She admitted she has been unattached since she was 18, calling her situation “depressing” but claims her previous relationships have been "problematic."

The lie detector wasn't convinced. "That's a lie! So I think she knows. She sometimes dates," Hesjedal said.

"I don't date. That's the issue. I haven't dated in a long time," Andrea responded. "I think I am attracted to problematic men if that's the question." This answer was verified.

The lie detector also raised a red flag after her response to a question about the former world champion:

"Have you ever been physically attracted to Magnus?" Alexandra asked. Andrea responded with a straight "no," but the polygraph controller declared it a lie. Andrea insisted, saying: "I don't generally find him attractive."

Their trademark sibling rivalry eventually took center stage, with Alexandra asking if Andrea thought she is smarter than her. "Yes," was her reply, but polygraph controller Orjan Hesjedal labeled her answer as a lie.

Andrea clarified that, while she treasures their partnership, she sometimes feels creatively stifled by Alexandra’s influence. Andrea said she might approach content differently if she were on her own. However, she made it clear that she appreciates working together, especially for the unique balance their sibling dynamic brings to their content.

Their bond became even clearer when Andrea confirmed that she would give her life for her sister. "If I had to sacrifice myself to let her live, I would do it," she said.

Hey @alexandrabotez thank you for having me. I had a great time at chess camp! Sadly, due to my last 3 performances, I will not be making it back pic.twitter.com/4BbXlsZvHg

— Andrea Botez (@itsandreabotez) July 27, 2024

Alexandra also addressed online trolls that claim Andrea has become famous because of her looks, not her content creation. Is that true?

"Obviously my looks helped me to get where I am today. I don't think my looks are why we stayed so successful, but it's definitely one of the reasons why we blew up," she answered.

Obviously my looks helped me to get where I am today. I don't think my looks are why we stayed so successful, but it's definitely one of the reasons why we blew up.

—Andrea Botez

She does find herself beautiful, but she also revealed a vulnerability. "I would love to look like my sister. It would solve so many of my self-confidence issues," she said, as the questions took a serious turn. To Alexandra's question about whether she thinks she has body dysmorphic disorder, she answered, "Yes."

"I think I just don't like my body. I don't know if it's body dysmorphia. I think body dysmorphia is seeing something in the mirror that [makes] you look differently. But I think I see myself in the mirror how I look, but I think I just don't like it. So I don't know if that's body dysmorphia. I would give [call] it something else."

The episode wrapped up with Andrea’s closing remark: “I have definitely ruined my chess career and burned a hundred bridges, but thank God I have my sister to clean up the mess.” 

I have definitely ruined my chess career and burned a hundred bridges, but thank God I have my sister to clean up the mess.

—Andrea Botez

We're still looking to make more "Lie Detector Chess" videos. Who else would you like to see? Be honest!