Angel Reese And The Viral Misinformation Crisis In The Age Of Digital Exploitation

In the early hours of June 17, 2024, social media platforms were flooded with disturbing claims about LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese—allegations of a leaked "nude video" that quickly spiraled across TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Within hours, the rumor had amassed over 3 million views and was shared across private messaging groups and fan forums. The reality, however, is starkly different: no such video exists. Digital forensics experts and LSU’s media relations team have since confirmed the claims as entirely fabricated, likely generated using deepfake technology or malicious misinformation campaigns. What’s unfolding is not just an attack on an individual athlete, but a reflection of a growing crisis in how young female athletes are targeted in the digital age.

This is not an isolated incident. In recent years, female athletes—from Olympic gymnasts to WNBA stars—have increasingly become victims of non-consensual intimate imagery, doxxing, and coordinated online harassment. Just last year, Olympic swimmer Torri Huske was the subject of similar false rumors, while tennis prodigy Coco Gauff has spoken openly about the psychological toll of online abuse. The targeting of Angel Reese, a 21-year-old national champion known for her dominance on the court and her signature "hand gesture" celebration, underscores a troubling pattern: as women in sports gain visibility and cultural influence, they also become prime targets for digital exploitation. The speed and virality of these rumors highlight the inadequacy of current platform moderation tools and the urgent need for stronger legal and technological safeguards.

The consequences of such misinformation extend beyond reputational damage. For young athletes like Reese, whose draft stock and endorsement potential are directly tied to public perception, false narratives can have real financial and emotional costs. Reese, who led LSU to its first-ever women’s basketball national title in 2023, has become a symbol of resilience and excellence—qualities now being overshadowed by baseless online rumors. Her case echoes the broader struggle female athletes face in maintaining autonomy over their public image in an era where content is weaponized at scale.

What’s particularly alarming is the gendered nature of these attacks. Male athletes, even those with comparable fame, rarely face the same level of invasive scrutiny or sexualized harassment. The double standard reveals deep-seated cultural biases that continue to undermine women’s sports. As the WNBA prepares for a record-breaking 2024 season and viewership for women’s college basketball soars, the industry must confront not just how it promotes its stars, but how it protects them. Platforms like Instagram and X must be held accountable for allowing harmful content to spread unchecked, while sports organizations need to implement comprehensive digital safety training for athletes.

The Angel Reese incident is not just about one athlete—it’s about the future of women in sports and the kind of digital world we are willing to tolerate. If we continue to allow misinformation to flourish unchecked, we risk silencing the very voices that are transforming the game.