"That was the first time I had seen negativity like that on social media" - Angel Reese on the moment she had to change her entire lifestyle after experiencing intense cyberbullying
For every athlete who strives to have a generational impact on their respective league, not receiving due credit is tough and Angel Reese knows all about it.
Put simply, it becomes incredibly difficult to balance self-expression with the constant need to prove one's worth. So, while fans may continue to debate whether Caitlin Clark is the superior force to Reese, often criticizing the latter for embracing her "Bayou Barbie" image, there's an untold side to Reese's journey that reveals just how much she's endured.
In the lead up to the All-Star weekend, the Chicago Sky forward opened up about the tough lifestyle changes she's had to make, having faced unapologetically harsh cyberbullying since her teenage years simply for staying true to who she is.
Reese talks about how cyberbullying has affected her since her early days
Especially during the early years of fame in high school and college, athletes are encouraged to focus on their craft and develop personalities, yet there is still a large segment of the public that expects them to keep their heads down and remain stoic. For Reese, that contradiction became increasingly difficult to navigate.
When she led Louisiana State University to a national championship in 2023, even though Angel's popularity skyrocketed overnight, it wasn't like that kind of fanfare only brought positivity. In fact, she made it known that she's been relentlessly bullied, not just by trolls online, but by people who seem threatened by her unapologetic personality.
"I've experienced it. It was hard for me in the beginning. After I won the national championship, my whole life changed. That was the first time I had seen negativity like that on social media. I thought I had a huge following before, but it skyrocketed to millions," Reese said in an interview with Elle Duncan with a grim face.
"It was bigger than basketball, when they were finding my address, my car. I had to change my whole lifestyle," Angel confessed.Reese has found support in the WNBA community
On a brighter side, thankfully, she also shared that several WNBA players have reached out to support her, offering reassurance and solidarity - something she had not experienced as much during her transition into professional basketball.
"That's what I really love about this league: being able to have sisters. I don't have any sisters," Reese continued in the same interview. "Being able to have sisters here who really, really care about me and knowing I can take that and transform that into the community."
This admission serves as a stern reminder that in the midst of fiery rivalries and fan-fueled narratives, people often lose sight of the human behind the jersey. In choosing harm, fans sometimes go so far that they forget how their words can leave lasting harm. But credit to Reese, despite the hate, she's stood her ground and opened up about her experience, proving that her strength lies beyond the time on the hardwood.
Safe to say that the glitz and glamor that most expect come with fame isn't always bright. While on the showbiz side, athletes try to flaunt a smile, on the backend is where they have to keep themselves mentally strong.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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