Angel Reese, the star forward of the LSU Tigers, soared to fame after her team clinched the national championship in 2023. The victory catapulted her into the spotlight, but little did she know that fame would come at a cost. In a candid interview following the Tigers’ Elite Eight loss to Iowa, Reese revealed the emotional toll she has endured since that championship win.
A tweet by NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) capturing her post-game comments highlights the emotional toll faced by athletes in the digital age:
“I just try to stay strong… I’ve been attacked so many times. Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’e been threatened… All this has happened since I won the national championship & I haven’t been happy since then.” – “Angel (h/t @ClutchPoints).”
"I just try to stay strong… I've been attacked so many times. Death threats, I've been sexualized, I've been threatened… All this has happened since I won the national championship & I haven't been happy since then."
– Angel
(h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 2, 2024
This story sheds light on the immense pressure and negativity athletes can face, even after achieving the pinnacle of success.
From Champion to Villain: Angel Reese Battles Online Abuse and Double Standards
Angel Reese’s journey from relative obscurity to national acclaim was swift. She became one of the top earners in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) game, with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok. But with fame came scrutiny. The double-edged sword of notoriety cut deep. Reese faced relentless attacks—death threats, sexualization, and constant threats. Her once joyful existence had turned into a battle for resilience.
During the national championship game, Reese called out the double standard between her celebratory ring finger gesture and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark’s “You Can’t See Me” taunt. The media spotlight intensified, and Reese became a polarizing figure. A Los Angeles Times column labelled the Tigers as “dirty debutantes” who played basketball the “wrong” way. Teammate Hailey Van Lith, a white player, condemned the article as racist and biased. Reese trolled the article on Instagram, highlighting the disparities in how she and her teammates were treated.
The rivalry between Angel Reese and Clark added fuel to the fire. Many believed there was genuine animosity between the two stars, but Reese denied it. She embraced the role of the villain, standing strong for her teammates. Reese’s trash talk received different reactions, and she navigated the fine line between competitiveness and controversy.
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