Angel Reese Breaks Silence On Facing Hate Speech And Death Threats: “I’ve Seen So Much”
Angel Reese has broken her silence regarding the backlash and hateful comments she’s received over the past year, revealing that she’s even been subjected to death threats.
The LSU Lady Tigers star spoke at a press conference following her team’s season-ending loss in the NCAA Elite Eight on Monday evening (April 1), during which she described her tumultuous rise to fame in the wake of winning the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve been through so much,” the 21-year-old lamented while addressing reporters. “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.”
Reese added that, despite the criticism aimed at her, she intends to remain true to herself and not alter her image or approach. “All this has happened since I won the national championship,” she 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.”
The standout forward’s Lady Tigers teammates also came to her defense, with Flau’jae Johnson insisting that how she’s portrayed by naysayers is in stark contrast to who she actually is in reality. “Man, let me tell you something. Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y’all don’t know her,” Johnson said. “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.”
Hailey Van Lith, who blasted “racist” comments aimed at Reese and the Lady Tigers in a controversial LA Times article, echoed Johnson’s comments, highlighting Reese’s resiliency.
“I think Angel is one of the toughest people I’ve been around,” Van Lith noted. “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.”
Reese and the Lady Tigers were defeated 94-87 by Caitlyn Clark and the rival Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA Elite Eight on Monday. The game was a rematch of the two teams’ matchup in the 2023 NCAA Championship, which LSU won.
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