Sydney Thomas, viral ring girl from Tyson vs. Paul fight, graduates early from University of Alabama

Time of India

08-05-2025

Sydney Thomas
, the ring girl who went viral during the
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
fight in November 2024, has celebrated a major milestone: her college graduation. The 21-year-old influencer earned her undergraduate degree from the
University of Alabama
, completing her studies in just three years. This achievement comes amidst significant personal and public events, including the loss of her mother and her unexpected rise to fame.
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Thomas took to Instagram to share her excitement about her graduation. "Did it in 3🎓 @univofalabama," she wrote, alongside photos of herself in a white dress and graduation gown. In her post, Thomas reflected on her college journey, acknowledging the challenges she faced and how they helped shape her into the person she is today.
'As I look back and reflect on my college experience, I can't help but acknowledge how monumental each of these years has been in shaping me into who I am today,' Thomas shared. 'From navigating the loss of my mother to the whirlwind of unexpected overnight fame, Alabama has been the one constant through it all, continually welcoming me with open arms and keeping me grounded in who I am.'
Her post also conveyed gratitude for the time she spent at Alabama, despite the 'non-typical' college experience. "This has been such a beautiful chapter in the story of my life—one I'll look back on often,' Thomas wrote. 'And while it's bittersweet that it's come to an end a year early, I know that wherever my path leads next, Alabama will always be sweet home to me.❤️ Roll Tide, forever & always.'
The Rise to Fame
Sydney Thomas became a viral sensation when she appeared as a ring girl during the highly-publicized Tyson vs. Paul fight in November 2024. The event, which took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, garnered massive attention, especially after being featured in a Netflix broadcast. Her striking appearance and confidence captivated viewers, leading to a flood of social media attention.
Since then, Thomas's life has been a whirlwind. She quickly amassed millions of followers on
TikTok
, signed with
Creative Artists Agency
, and landed numerous brand deals. In fact, she reached the impressive milestone of one million followers on TikTok, marking her transition from a ring girl to an influencer with substantial social media clout.
'I still haven't been able to fully wrap my head around it all,' Thomas previously told PEOPLE. 'Just the fact that I'll go on
Snapchat
or something and all the news stories have my face in front of them...It's the weirdest mind game to me.'
Reflecting on the Journey
Despite her rapid rise to fame, Thomas has remained grounded and reflective. Her college experience, while extraordinary, was deeply personal, marked by both triumph and loss. As she celebrated this achievement, she shared with her followers that she was grateful for the stability and support Alabama had provided throughout her journey.
One of her friends, gymnast Olivia 'Livvy' Dunne, who graduated from Louisiana State University in December 2024, also congratulated her on the milestone.
'I came for a time, and I fell short. I also came to NOT give up, and I absolutely didn't,' Thomas wrote in a separate post about her marathon of achievements, both in school and beyond.
Also Read:
Who is Sydney Thomas and why is she trending?