WNBA star Angel Reese appears to have deactivated her Instagram account following intense online criticism of her striking New Year’s Eve outfit. The 22-year-old Chicago Sky forward’s Instagram page, previously under the handle @angelreese5, was no longer accessible as of Thursday morning. Fans attempting to visit her profile were met with a message stating the page “may have been removed.”
While her Instagram is currently unavailable, Reese’s other social media platforms, including TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), remain active. Her TikTok still features the now-controversial New Year’s Eve content that sparked the backlash.
A Bold Look for the New Year
To celebrate the end of a successful 2024 and ring in 2025, Reese shared a sultry selfie and videos showcasing her daring party outfit. The 6-foot-3 basketball star wore a mocha-colored, animal-print, full-length gown adorned with ruffled details and an extremely high leg slit.
The eye-catching design featured a cut-out midsection that plunged below her belly button, connected only by a thin brown string across the chest. The bold look garnered mixed reactions online.
Divided Reactions
While some fans praised Reese for her confidence and style, calling her “gorgeous” and “stunning,” others were far less complimentary. Critics took to social media to express their disapproval, with some calling the outfit “disgusting” and accusing Reese of seeking attention.
“She has a lot of trust in that string,” one commenter quipped. Others made unfounded claims about the outfit being overly revealing, with one critic alleging, “It would be fine if you couldn’t literally see her areola.”
Several detractors accused Reese of prioritizing her social media presence over her basketball career. “This girl just wants attention and doesn’t want to hoop,” one user wrote, while another added, “I swear she goes viral for everything but basketball.”
Past Comments Resurface
The backlash also reopened a broader conversation about Reese’s struggles with being sexualized in the public eye. Following LSU’s loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight of last year’s NCAA tournament, Reese spoke openly about the challenges she’s faced since winning the 2023 national championship.
“I’ve been attacked so many times. Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened,” she told reporters. “I’m still human. All this has happened since I won the national championship, and I haven’t been happy since then.”
Despite her vulnerability in sharing these experiences, many critics unfairly weaponized her previous comments against her, suggesting that Reese’s New Year’s Eve outfit contradicted her stance against being sexualized.
“Wasn’t she just saying people sexualize her too much?” one user wrote, while another sarcastically added, “Now don’t anyone dare sexualize her.”
Unfair Criticism and a Broader Issue
While Reese has every right to wear what she chooses, the backlash highlights the double standards women in sports often face. Critics were quick to judge her outfit while ignoring her accomplishments on the court.
Reese has also been vocal about the darker side of her fame. On her podcast in September, she revealed that fans of rival player Caitlin Clark had created AI-generated explicit images of her and sent them to her family. “It sucks having to go through that and see other players have to go through that,” she said.
Moving Forward
Reese’s decision to deactivate her Instagram account may be a temporary step to shield herself from the negativity. As a young athlete navigating intense scrutiny, she continues to balance her rising stardom with the challenges of public life.
Whether on the court or in the spotlight, Reese remains a trailblazer, but her experience underscores the importance of supporting athletes as whole individuals, not just for their on-court performances.
