LSU basketball star Angel Reese bravely faced her critics in an emotional moment, revealing the challenges she has endured since leading her team to victory in the 2023 national championship. Following LSU’s Elite Eight defeat to Iowa, Reese opened up about the harsh realities of being in the public eye and the toll it has taken on her.
In a tearful address, Reese shared the struggles she has faced, including hateful speech, death threats, and being subjected to various forms of harassment. “I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened, I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time,” she said after LSU’s season-ending 94-87 loss to Iowa on Monday. Although she tries her best to remain strong for her teammates, Reese explained that it’s hard to do sometimes. “All this has happened since I won the national championship,” Reese said. “And it sucks, but I still wouldn’t change anything, and I would still sit here and say I’m unapologetically me. I’m going to always leave that mark and be who I am and stand on that.”
Reese’s vulnerability resonated with her teammates, including Flau’jae Johnson and Hailey Van Lith, who rallied behind her in support. Johnson, in particular, defended Reese against her critics, highlighting her strength and character beyond the public persona. She said, “Man, let me tell you something,” Johnson asserted. “Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her. I know the real Angel Reese and the person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person. But the crown she wears is heavy.”
Van Lith, who spoke out over the weekend about the racism her teammates face, so described Reese as a person with great strength and leadership.
“I think Angel is one of the toughest people I’ve been around,” she said. “People speak hate into her life. I’ve never seen people wish bad things on someone as much as her, and it does not affect her. She comes to practice every day. She lives her life every day. She lives how she wants to live, and she don’t let nobody change that. That’s the key to life right there. Y’all do not get to her. Let me say it again. Y’all do not get to Angel Reese. So you might want to throw the towel in because you’re wasting your energy.”
As Reese navigates the complexities of fame and scrutiny, she remains focused but unapologetically herself.