The Chicago Sky’s rookie sensation, Angel Reese, has certainly been no stranger to controversies, and recently, her New Year’s Day dress set the internet on fire. The outfit sparked a huge wave of online criticism, which co-incided with a huge step– the Chi-Town Barbie deleted her Instagram account. But it didn’t stop there.

A few days later, Reese was at it again on social media, this time reposting some powerful words on X. She shared a tweet by SZA that read: “YOUR LIFE IS YOURS !!! YOURSSS!!! Not anybody else’s!! Not the ones disappointed, not the ones talking sht, not the ones that never sent an apology…THE COFFIN ONLY HAS ROOM FOR ONE. YOU. Live. F** it.”

And if that wasn’t enough, Reese followed up with another repost, this time from Shedeur Sanders, who made waves with his tweet: “Don’t allow my confidence to offend your insecurities.” It seems like Reese is finding some comfort in Sanders’ words.

After all, both Reese and Sanders have had their fair share of intense scrutiny. Sanders is facing some mixed reviews as he prepares for the NFL Draft, while Reese, fresh off an incredible college basketball career, has dealt with her own challenges and high expectations. Both of them are no strangers to harsh judgment but have developed thick skin in the face of it all.

Angel Reese, always ready to clap back

Reese, especially, has been vocal about the online hate. In November 2024, she clapped back at a user who mocked her for missing layups, saying, “Do you realize I got drafted seventh in my class while ‘missing layups’ as a ROOKIE shooting 39% on the year and was STILL an All-Star? And that was the worst you’ll ever see me?”

Earlier in 2023, Reese also addressed the backlash from her hand gesture during the NCAA championship game, telling critics, “Just keep being you. Never let anybody tell you no or that you can’t do this, you can’t do that. I’ve always stood in my own lane.”

It doesn’t stop there. In September 2024, she took aim at the media for “villainizing” her, claiming, “They’ve benefited from my pain over the past two years.” Despite the barrage of criticism, Reese stands firm, saying, “I don’t care what anybody has to say about me. I love who I am. … I’m authentically me.”

The Chi-Town Barbie also started her podcast, Unaplogetically Angel, as a means to bring forth her narrative. She has been successful in addressing numerous misconceptions there, including the narrative of her rivalry with Caitlin Clark, the many dating rumors, and the difficult fan treatment she has faced. While the criticisms don’t seem to have an end, Reese sure isn’t backing down either.