Latest news with #Hiedeman
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How the Hot Pink Haze of StudBudz Took Over WNBA All-Star Weekend
A neon pink cloud rolled toward me, illuminating the dimly lit Indianapolis convention center in which I stood. Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, dressed in matching blush track suits and fuchsia hair, made their way through a sea of euphoric fans participating in an activation put on by Unrivaled (the 3x3 league created by their Lynx teammate Napheesa Collier). Tenzin, a member of the pair's management team, followed close behind with a phone held horizontally, nestled casually in the palm of her hand. If one wished to interview Williams and Hiedeman over WNBA All-Star weekend, that meant joining the duo's 72-hour Twitch livestream, entitled StudBudz (which doubles as a nickname for the pair). As I asked Williams and Hiedeman about their webcast's meteoric rise to becoming a cultural phenomenon around the W, I felt an existential pang as an itch took hold of my brain that I couldn't quite scratch. To bear witness to the StudBudz was to assume a minor role as an extra in their Twitch universe. It was all very meta, which is precisely what had made StudBudz the WNBA media juggernaut it has become. StudBudz-much like the league the duo plays in, and the players the livestream highlighted-is queer. Yes, many of the league's players and fans are gay, but the culture surrounding the WNBA was also built on an elemental queerness. It's part of why the league is endlessly entertaining, joyful, subversive and holds a singular place in American culture. But that fact was not always embraced, and players weren't always encouraged to freely express themselves. Williams and Hiedeman offered an unflinching, all-access pass into what has long been the league's essence, but still beholding it in all its unedited glory in 2025 was simply delightful. The fact that this generation-defining piece of WNBA content occurred on Twitch is also notable. If the medium is the message, then StudBudz is a show for our time. The platform has recently evolved into something of a town square, with various Twitch personalities, like Hasan Piker, dominating the recent political discourse. Many online pundits, often young men, sit for hours on their respective streams, dispensing and commenting on the day's news as a graveyard of various beverages accumulates before them. StudBudz flipped that formula on its head while staying true to the platform's spontaneous ethos. Twitch's webpage is ornamented with purple accents and lined with a nonstop rolling chat. It's the stuff of brain-rot's dreams and Foucault's nightmares, but the ad-hoc look, sporadic emojis and lo-fi vibes fit so seamlessly into a pop culture ecosystem that simultaneously reveres nonchalance and is obsessed with authenticity. Williams and Hiedeman met their audience where it was at, creating an utterly raucous and random show. When asked for one word to describe the weekend, in unison, Williams and Heideman exclaimed, "Lit!" That much was evident as a hot pink haze wafted into Sports Illustrated's All-Star afterparty on Saturday night. Much like how I met them, the pair floated through the dark, cavernous space, immediately bringing to life a drowsy party. Williams jumped onstage, joining Grammy-award winning artist Diplo, holding the crowd in the palm of her hand, almost as if to say, this is how it's done. There's something to be said for people who know how to curate fun, I thought, when I felt a bump on my shoulder. I turned to find a man holding a phone attached to a tripod pointed in my direction with Hiedeman dancing in the vicinity. "We were definitely just on StudBudz," I heard over a thumping bass. More WNBA on Sports Illustrated This article was originally published on as How the Hot Pink Haze of StudBudz Took Over WNBA All-Star Weekend. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WNBA reality TV: Minnesota Lynx 'Stud Budz' live stream dominated All-Star weekend
INDIANAPOLIS — Walking the halls in the bowels of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse before the WNBA All-Star Game Saturday, Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman was omnipresent. One half of the "Stud Budz," Hiedeman and her Lynx teammate Courtney Williams — who both have pink hair —started a live stream on Twitch a couple of months ago and spent All-Star weekend giving the fans a behind-the-scenes look at the W. Their Twitch bio describes the stream as "just two Stud Budz who hoop and live our best life." "It really started off as two friends, we knew about Twitch, and said, 'Let's just start streaming,'" Hiedeman said, not pausing the stream to do an interview with USA TODAY Studio IX. "It's a platform that's unique, that really no one in the W has touched, so we was like, 'Let's be the first ones.'" Williams, playing on Team Collier, said the 72-hour All-Star stream has been eye-opening. "We are so surprised, honestly, we did not know how much love we'd be getting," Williams said. "I think people just love getting that behind the scenes, being so authentic, seeing players mess with us." There were close to 15,000 people streaming the duo as they made their way through Indianapolis this weekend. All-Star captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier talked to Hiedeman about the Twitch stream before their pregame media availability on Saturday. "How does your phone not overheat?" Clark asked. Then she copped to being a fangirl. "I was watching the live stream all last night, downstairs on my TV." Team Collier's Angel Reese said the authenticity of the Stud Budz is what sets the content apart. "It's like a reality TV show with them," Reese, a member of the Chicago Sky, said. "They have made it the best. No matter where we are, what party we at, the players made the weekend what it is and you really enjoy the moment because it's so much fun. "Getting to know everyone off the court. You're battling all year, it's competition, but just being able to build relationships has been great. I am happy for what they are doing, I hope they continue to do it and make some money." The best moment of All-Star weekend? "Not a favorite moment, but Stud Budz has been the highlight of, I think, everybody's weekend," Collier said. Hiedeman said the sky is the limit now that their brand has been unleashed."We going to be at the Grammys, ESPYs, what other live events?" Hiedeman said. "Paris fashion week, the Met Gala — anything big and, like a good time, if it's fun and live, call us and we will be there."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Minnesota Lynx Duo to Stream All 72 Hours of WNBA All-Star Weekend
Minnesota Lynx Duo to Stream All 72 Hours of WNBA All-Star Weekend originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Minnesota Lynx players Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman are setting up to stream all 72 hours of WNBA All-Star Weekend. Morning, night, midnight, you name it, they will be live. Advertisement And even with Williams participating in the All-Star Game, she made it clear there is no stopping the stream from going dead. Pro players over the last few years have started to tip-toe there way into many platforms of media. Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce have a podcast. Draymond Green has one, too. Kyrie Irving now streams on Twitch often. There are countless professionals out producing content outside of the games they play. Williams and Hiedeman have started streaming on twitch this year, and have grown a good size following rapidly. Social following growing for Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman aka 'Studbudz' They go under the username "studbudz" and since there first stream on May 31, they have garnered more than 15,000 followers. In the last 30 days they have gained 60% of their current follower total. Their humor and relatability highlight their streams. The pairing of the two are just non-stop entertainment. Advertisement And as funny as they are off the court, they are great players on it. This is Johnson's second time being named an All-Star after earning a spot in 2021. This year she averaging 13.5 points, 5.9 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Hiedeman is having a solid year, averaging 7.4 points and 3.2 assists. The Minnesota Lynx are first in the Western Conference and have the best record in the WNBA, at 17-2. The WNBA All-Star weekend starts on the July 18, and although it is not on the list of the official festivities, the Williams and Hiedeman stream will be a must-watch event. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lynx news: Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman debut matching hairstyles before taking on Storm
The post Lynx news: Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman debut matching hairstyles before taking on Storm appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Lynx are one of the most dominant teams in the WNBA. Not only are the Lynx off to a historic undefeated start, they are doing so with some of the most colorful players in the league. Advertisement Most notably, guards Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman. Speaking of colorful, both got in touch with their inner Dennis Rodman and dyed their hair pink before their game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. The Lynx posted on their X page, 'twins.' Williams is a nine-year WNBA veteran. She was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2016 before playing for the Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky. Williams joined the Lynx in January 2024. She's developed a reputation for being one of the most outgoing and personable players in the WNBA. Hiedeman was drafted by the Lynx in 2019 before being traded on Draft Day to the Connecticut Sun. Advertisement She spent five seasons there before returning to the Lynx last year. Much like Williams, Hiedeman is equally fun-loving and vivacious. On May 31, it was Hiedeman who hit a big shot against the Mercury with Napheesa Collier out with an injury. Besides their similar choice of hair styling, Williams and Hiedeman share a lot in common personality-wise. That translates to a team known for building a vibrant culture. The Minnesota Lynx know how to have fun The Lynx are one of the most upbeat teams in the WNBA. The atmosphere they created at the Target Center in Minneapolis is ideal for players like Williams and Hiedeman. Advertisement Their mascot, Prowl, performs wacky stunts and gets the fans engaged. Minnesota has a unique fan club called Los Lynx Nation, which finds ways to connect fans across social media, sets up fantasy leagues, and organizes travel to away games. After a win, the team likes to celebrate with the electric slide, which has become a tradition. Related: Liberty's Breanna Stewart speaks up about 9-0 Lynx Related: WNBA icon Rebecca Lobo makes clear choice for league MVP
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Lynx stay unbeaten with second-half surge to down Valkyries
Natisha Hiedeman scored all eight of her points in two second-half runs, Napheesa Collier returned from a night off with a game-high 24 points and the Minnesota Lynx surged past the host Golden State Valkyries 86-75 on Sunday night in San Francisco. Returning from a sore knee, Collier completed her third consecutive double-double with a season-high-tying 11 rebounds, and Courtney Williams added 20 points for Minnesota, which remained unbeaten through seven games. Veronica Burton had a team-high 21 points and Kate Martin a career-high 14 for Golden State, which led by one at halftime and retained a 56-53 advantage after Kayla Thornton's interior hoop in the third minute of the third period. But the Lynx, who made the WNBA finals last season, took charge from there, starting with a 14-2 burst that featured 3-pointers from Hiedeman, Williams and Bridget Carleton. Attempting to avoid a third consecutive loss, the Valkyries hung within 68-60 through quarter's end, before Hiedeman had two hoops one that she turned into a three-point play and Collier added a basket in a 7-0 flurry to open the fourth period that broke the game open at 75-60. Williams also found time for five rebounds and a team-high five assists. Her three 3-pointers in seven attempts helped Minnesota outscore the hosts 33-27 from beyond the arc despite taking eight fewer attempts. Kayla McBride chipped in with 16 points and six rebounds, while Carleton had 12 points for the Lynx, who completed a two-game Western sweep after dispatching the Phoenix Mercury on Friday without Collier. The Lynx and Valkyries were meeting for the first time. Thornton finished with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds for Golden State, which had played the defending-champion New York Liberty on the road in its two previous games. Julie Vanloo dished off a team-high four assists and swiped two steals for the Valkyries, an expansion team that has sold out all three of its home games at the spacious Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. Field Level Media
