Aussie basketball star goes viral for wearing goth makeup during matches - and turning two of their teeth into FANGS
Australian basketballer Caitlin Cunningham has gone viral online not just for their basketball skills, but their unusual goth appearance.
Dubbed 'Caitlin Dark' after WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, the 39-year-old has grabbed global attention for their combination of athleticism and goth aesthetic.
'I was a MySpace kid,' Cunningham, who uses they/them/she pronouns, told the ABC.
'Emo music's a big part of my life and so the makeup has always been an expression, and I've always done it.'
The former WNBL player, who now plays semi-professionally for the Rockhampton Cyclones, says people have always noticed how at odds she looks compared to typical athletes.
'I found an old article from when I was 21, when I was signed to the Canberra Capitals, playing in the WNBL,' she said.
'The journalist touched on my black shoes, my black socks, my goth looks.
'So it's always been a thing for me.'
Cunningham explains that their look - dark makeup, tattoos, athleisure outfits in the same colour and those fangs - is all tied into the music she loves.
'When I was young, I would look up to these artists and be mesmerised by their self-expression and their art form,' Cunningham said.
'And if people are looking at me like I looked at those people … you have a role to play in these young people's journey of self-discovery and I do take it seriously.
'If I had someone like me when I was growing up, I would have felt so seen.'
Sports fans online have celebrated Cunningham's bold individuality, proving opposite subcultures can flourish together.
'Welcome back Dennis Rodman,' joked one Instagram user.
'Do you need a controversially far away girlfriend,' posted another
'She looks photoshopped in, I love her.' said a third.
Cunningham is overwhelmed by all the attention she is getting, with their TikTok quickly growing from 200 followers to over 50,000. A TikTok compilation of Cunningham has had more than three million views.
Some have even compared Cunningham to American actor and comedian Pete Davidson.
'A lot of very attractive women always seem to want to date me, and I think that may have a bit to do with the comparison,' Cunningham told pride.com
'But I think I'm tall, I'm skinny, I've got a lot of tattoos, I don't know, I'm a bit dorky, maybe similar to him.
'Maybe I've just got big d**k energy.'
Cunningham hopes that the increased visibility she has received can benefit LGBTQ+ people.
'It's harder to sleep because I've been getting some quite heavy DMs, and I really care about the people reaching out to me because they're feeling so seen and connected, and I'm helping them realize something about themselves or feel comfortable in their own skin,' Cunningham said.
'And that is so powerful, and if I'm that connection for them to be the best version of themselves, I just want to know how to keep helping people feel good with themselves.
'If I'm that role model for someone, I'll take it, I'll do it, I'll do the best I can to harness that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
The Wallabies can beat the Lions, here's how
James Horwill has a theory that the Sea of Red, certainly by the third Test, gets a bit salty."The Lions fans aren't the best at blending in," says Horwill, who skippered the Wallabies on the Lions' last visit in 2013."Some of them I don't think bought anything else apart from a Lions jersey last time."They're probably packing light, saving on the airfare - not paying for checked luggage for a three-week vacation."The arrival of the Lions and their supporters, along with 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups and the 2032 Olympic Sevens, has been pegged as a 'golden runway' of events to get union on the up Down really achieve lift-off though Australia needs winning Wallabies."The expectation of our national team is that they win and win regularly," Horwill explained."We want some good performances and I'm hopeful and confident that the Wallabies can get the job done." The bookies are less confident - the Lions are heavy favourites. But Horwill sees areas where they can be exposed."Depending on how [Wallaby head coach] Joe Schmidt goes with selection, I think we might have size in the back five [second and back rows]," he contrast, the Lions have plenty of back-row options, but their squad prioritises mobility, speed and athleticism over heavy-duty gain-line ball meanwhile, has called up 6ft 8in lock Will Skelton, whose 22-stone frame comes at defences at a surprising likes the balance the hosts have struck."In Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson we have two genuine world-class eights," he said"I think Fraser McReight will be the starting number seven and he is a difference maker for us."He's an out-and-out fetcher but also is that link between the forwards and the backs."On the northern hemisphere tour last year, the only game McReight didn't play was the defeat against Scotland and Australia just didn't have the same flow, understanding or functionality."He's a key player for us." Jake Gordon or Nic White may start at scrum-half, but Horwill says Tate McDermott could be a star turn as the tourists tire in the final quarter."Tate has had an excellent Super Rugby season. He is probably the best nine in the country, but his ability to attack teams with his feet might come into play as a replacement," says Horwill."You could play a gameplan to tire out the Lions and then bring on Tate in the last 20 to 30 minutes to attack those fringes and pick off the defenders around the ruck, which he does so well."When Australia beat England at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium in November, McDermott's dart set up a first-half try for captain Wilson. The last time the Lions toured Australia, Israel Folau, playing his first game of international rugby, scored two tries in Australia's narrow first-Test defeat."Izzy was the most naturally freaky sort of athlete that I've ever played with," says Horwill."Wherever we put him around the field, someone would have to mark his aerial threat - sometimes double mark him - and that would then create opportunities for others."Izzy just made everything look so easy, he moved and jumped so effortlessly for a big guy and Joseph's got a lot of that about him."Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - Australia's 6ft 5in big-money import from rugby league - was inspired by Folau as a boy, and the 21-year-old has shown similar aerial the Lions looking unconvincing in the battle for the skies against Argentina and struggling to regain kick-offs against Western Force, he will be chasing and leaping hard."Wherever Joseph is you are going to see defenders bunching around that area - maybe there's an opportunity to kick elsewhere and get a bit of ascendancy," says all the interest in England flanker Henry Pollock's supersonic ascent to the upper reaches, Australia have their own Toole was part of the Australian sevens team that finished fourth in the Olympics in Paris a year ago, but 11 tries in the Brumbies' 16-game run to the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals have given him a shot of stepping on to the biggest stage in the XV-man Max Jorgensen, the 20-year-old son of former Wallaby Peter Jorgensen, is back from an ankle injury in time to contend on the wing as well."The one thing you have got in Australia's back three is genuine pace," says Horwill."Corey Toole has got real gas and he has certainly bulked up a lot over the past year. He barged over Damian McKenzie to score against the Chiefs in that Super Rugby semi-final - if he does get an opportunity he is really exciting."Jorgensen is the sort of prodigious talent we've been building around."He has been a little bit unlucky with injuries, and just needs to get some some time in the saddle playing a bit of rugby." This will be the first series since 2013 that Horwill has watched from the southern hemisphere after he followed a stint at Harlequins with a degree at Cambridge University."I just probably didn't appreciate how big it was - the enormity and the importance of it to the fans, and the importance of selection to the players," said Horwill."Football's number one, it's everywhere, but for this period, the Lions is on the front and back pages."I was living In Putney in London and for that first Test against New Zealand in 2017, I walked along the street at 8am and every pub in Putney was red."Horwill will be playing host to his own Lions tourist this year. Wales centre Jamie Roberts, who scored the final try as the Lions ran away with the third deciding Test 12 years ago, was at Quins with Horwill."It's funny how the world works," says Horwill."That third Test is probably the only in my international career that I would like to have back for another run at it."Back then, in 2013, we probably never thought we'd be playing together, let alone become quite good friends."He was a great guy to have around at Quins and more importantly been been a good mate since."I'm looking forward to seeing him and his family when they come out here over the summer."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Lions star Blair Kinghorn lifts the lid on a whirlwind 48 hours as he celebrates Toulouse's Top 14 title triumph in Paris, before flying to Australia the next day - as he reveals his favourite position too
On the sidelines of Lions training in eastern Brisbane, Blair Kinghorn pedalled away by himself on an exercise bike. The Scottish full-back had a night of Parisian celebrations to flush out of his legs. Having won the Top 14 title with Toulouse on Saturday evening, he danced away in his speedos, partying until the early hours of Sunday morning. 'We got back to the hotel just before three,' he revealed. 'Then we had a party in the hotel with all the families, friends and some sponsors, which was really good. And then I was heading to the airport in Paris about midday. 'My bag was already packed. We came up to Paris for the final on Thursday, so I had to make sure all my s*** was ready before going up on Thursday. Now the Scottish star's attention is with the Lions having arrived in Australia on Monday night 'Luckily, my mum and my wife were there to help me take everything up, because packing for two separate things is a bit stressful. I think I've got everything. All you need is your boots and your passport, so that's fine!' A driver was waiting for Kinghorn at Brisbane Airport on Monday evening, shuttling him straight to the team hotel in the city. Lights were out by the time he arrived, meaning he gave captain Maro Itoje a fright when he bundled into their twin room just before midnight. 'I got in about quarter to 12,' said Kinghorn. 'I was thinking, "Surely there won't be anyone in the room". I was with Maro. I go in, chuck the bags down and up he pops. I was like "Uh, sorry". He'd been sleeping and I woke him up. It was funny, he woke up, shook my hand and went straight back to sleep.' Kinghorn's arrival will provide the Lions with a timely boost. Elliot Daly delivered a classy, influential performance from full-back against the Western Force, although the versatile Englishman is more likely to cover a range of positions from the bench. Kinghorn has been playing on the wing for Toulouse, although he is favourite to wear the Lions' No 15 jersey when the Tests come around, having developed into the complete player since he moved to France in 2023. Kinghorn's favourite position is full-back like at Scotland, but he plays on the wing at Toulouse His 6ft 4in frame makes him an authoritative presence in the backfield but he must quickly get up to scratch with the playbook, ahead a likely debut against the Waratahs on Saturday. 'Internationally, I have played the majority of my rugby at full-back,' he said. 'So I'd still say that's probably my best position. 'At club level, it is different. We have positions but we don't really have positions. Everything's interchangeable. The rugby over there is not as structured so it is kind of floating around. Wingers are the same as full-back in most instances; whereas internationally it is a little a bit different. 'I tried to keep thoughts about the Lions at the back of my head, just because I wanted to stay present in the moment and finish the season really strongly with Toulouse. All the coaches understand how intense it is to be in the knockout stages of your league competition, so they all know that overloading information then is not going to help anyone. 'The next couple of days will be the big days for me to learn everything and catch up where the boys are at, but hopefully I'll catch up pretty quickly. Now I can kind of turn my full attention to this, it's really exciting.' Back at Toulouse, Kinghorn revealed that his French club-mates Thomas Ramos and Josh Brennan had shown a particularly keen interest in the Lions concept. Lions tours in France have been mooted as an option for future years, although a one-off fixture would be more likely, as administrators are reluctant to break with tradition. A warm-up fixture against France in Paris could be a spectacular curtain-raiser and Kinghorn believes the Lions would be a hit with the rugby-mad public. 'There would be no jetlag for starters!' he joked. 'It would be pretty cool. I don't know how happy the French clubs would be though because the Top 14 season is so gruelling and so long. But they (the public) would love it. It would be awesome.' For now, all focus is on Australia, with Kinghorn likely to emerge as one of the key figures.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Big week ahead for Lions hoping to make Test squad
The British & Irish Lions have barely started their trek around Australia, but the all-important Test series is fast approaching. Some definitive selection calls will soon have to be made and this week's games will be pivotal for certain individuals. The Breakdown takes a look at the five main areas of debate. Dan Sheehan, as expected, has emerged as the Lions' Test hooker in waiting. The moment he was asked to lead the side in Perth, taking over from the tour captain, Maro Itoje, it was a sure indicator of how highly Andy Farrell rates him. Ronan Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie are probably contesting the bench spot; some consistent lineout darts from Kelleher against the Reds on Saturday could go a long way towards securing it. At loose-head prop, this is also a big game for Andrew Porter if he intends to start ahead of Ellis Genge. The latter was in rip-snorting mode against Argentina and the Lions need powerful, unapologetic ball-carriers. Which leaves tight-head, still an area with a slight question hovering over it from Farrell's perspective. Everyone knows how good Tadhg Furlong can be; the question is whether the big man can now replicate his past heroics. Finlay Bealham, only on the tour after Zander Fagerson's injury, took his chance against the Pumas but a commanding display by Will Stuart this week could yet help the Englishman book himself a starting role in the first Test back in Brisbane on 19 July. The lock conversation is fascinating. Itoje, as captain, is the first name on the Lions team-sheet but big Joe McCarthy had such a high-class game in Perth that it will be tough to leave him out of the first Test, particularly with the Wallabies primed to come hard early on. Some people thrive in the rarefied air of a Lions tours and the 24-year-old McCarthy – right down to his Aussie-style mullet – is relishing the opportunity. But if Itoje and McCarthy end up starting, that would probably require the Lions to consider a third lineout option at No 6, almost certainly Tadhg Beirne. There is just one snag. Beirne, by his absurdly high standards, has yet to show the absolute best of himself in his two games. Does Farrell back him to come good or slide him back into the second row at the in-form McCarthy's expense? The door remains fractionally open, consequently, for the combative Ollie Chessum if he has a barnstormer alongside Itoje against the Reds. Should Farrell opt for a 6-2 bench – and even if he doesn't – Chessum could easily be in the Test squad conversation. The blindside conundrum is further complicated by the presence of Tom Curry, the sort of relentless operator every coach loves to have. The Wallabies will have big Rob Valetini in that position and the Lions can not afford to let him roam free. Should Beirne start at six, though, that means deploying Curry either at 7 or 8 or else on the bench. Finding a slot at openside will be tricky given Josh van der Flier's timely return to form; the Irishman is experienced, reliable and showed up well in Perth. Then there is Henry Pollock: the reason Farrell likes the 20-year-old is that he brings pace and dynamism few others possess. The Reds game is massive, accordingly, for Jack Conan who was probably the narrow frontrunner for the No 8 shirt (in the absence of Caelan Doris) – when the squad was unveiled. Ben Earl has had limited opportunity to show the form that has made him an England regular. The most compelling option of the lot? What a shame Jack Willis – brilliant again for Toulouse in the Top 14 final – is not here. The Test half-back pairing, barring injuries, is set to be Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, but the combination that will start outside them is less certain. On paper, Sione Tuipulotu would be the perfect foil for Russell at 12, but the Glasgow Warrior has not played much this year. Farrell has also mixed and matched, declining to use the all-Irish duo of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose or the Scottish combo of Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for the moment. The selection to watch, as a result, will be the side to face the Waratahs on Saturday; Farrell may well be tempted to trial his optimal backline against the Brumbies in Canberra the following Wednesday. If Aki and Ringrose are picked it could be good news for 'Huwipulotu' as the regular Scottish partnership has become known. Similarly it is easy to imagine Farrell being tempted to plump for two Ireland wingers who are used to dovetailing in a green jersey. James Lowe is such a smart footballer and has helped to create a couple of stunning tries in Perth. Mack Hansen is a different type of player but his kick-chase ability and energy also make him an awkward opponent. Unless this week changes the narrative completely. Maybe the powerful Duhan van der Merwe will take the Reds to the cleaners? Perhaps Tommy Freeman will remind everyone of his aerial ability, a vital area against the Wallabies? Then there is the battle at full-back. Blair Kinghorn, last seen celebrating in his Toulouse budgie smugglers, has finally arrived and will almost certainly feature against the Waratahs. In his absence, Elliot Daly has not put a foot wrong and Hugo Keenan has plenty of credit in the Bank of Farrell. A Test back-three of Kinghorn, Lowe and Hansen – with Daly on the bench – would not be a surprise but nothing is set in stone. The Lions have been in Australia for a little more than a week but they are already growing accustomed to increasing climatic extremes. Having swapped the clear blue skies of Perth for a damp Brisbane their next destination will be Sydney, which is braced for heavy storms and torrential rain over the next 24 hours or so. After that comes Canberra where temperatures on the night of the match are forecast to dip down close to or below zero. With better drained pitches and more enclosed stadiums, the weather should not massively affect the Lions, but, tactically, the touring side are keen to play a good deal of ball-in-hand rugby. If it hoses down again when they return to 'Brisvegas' for the first Test they may yet have to demonstrate they can be a team for all seasons. Leicester Tigers' new signing – and former Wallaby fly-half – James O'Connor became the youngest player to feature for a Super Rugby franchise when he came off the bench for Western Force against Queensland Reds in 2008. Pictured in his debut season against the Brumbies, O'Connor, now a veteran 34-year-old who has plied his trade with the Super Rugby Pacific winners Canterbury Crusaders this year, was overlooked by Australia's coach Joe Schmidt in favour of three younger pivots for the Lions series warm-up Test against Fjji. This is also a significant week for Australian rugby. Yes, the bulk of their Wallaby squad players are away preparing for the Test series, but it will still be instructive to see how the Reds and the Waratahs – and subsequently the Brumbies – front up. With some mix-and-match opposition to come – an Invitational Aus/NZ XV and a First Nations & Pasifika XV – the tour needs at least one of Australia's Super Rugby franchises to stand up and be counted. Australian rugby's incendiary attitude towards nationality needs extinguishing, writes Rob. Martin Pengelly met Houston's Seth Smith and found how rugby will develop in the US. Former Lion Ugo Monye explains how thinking of Strictly can help. And to subscribe to The Breakdown, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
