In the glittering world of sports and fashion, where empowerment meets high-stakes glamour, WNBA sensation Angel Reese has once again proven she’s unbreakable. But just days after making history as the first professional athlete to strut the iconic Victoria’s Secret runway, the Chicago Sky forward found herself at the center of a vicious online storm. A viral photo comparison likening her poised, confident catwalk moment to Sid the Sloth from the animated film Ice Age has left Reese fuming, calling it “unfair and disrespectful” – and sparking a fierce debate about body shaming, celebrity scrutiny, and the double standards Black women face in the spotlight.

The drama unfolded on October 15, 2025, when Reese, the 23-year-old powerhouse known for her rebounding dominance and unapologetic flair, traded her basketball sneakers for sky-high heels and feathered wings at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York City’s Brooklyn Navy Yard. Draped in a stunning pink floral lingerie set adorned with lace blossoms and a dramatic rose-toned stole, Reese owned the runway with the same swagger that earned her the nickname “Bayou Barbie.” Flanked by supermodels like Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid, plus Olympic gymnast Suni Lee, she embodied the brand’s evolving ethos of inclusivity – featuring transgender, plus-size, and pregnant models alongside rising stars. Reese’s debut wasn’t just a walk; it was a full-circle dream. As she shared in pre-show interviews, childhood videos of her twirling in Victoria’s Secret sweats fueled this manifestation. “I walk, sleep, hoop,” she quipped, crediting a modeling coach for perfecting her strut to Luminee’s “Never Leave You.”

But the triumph soured swiftly online. Trolls zeroed in on a backstage snapshot of Reese in full glam – glossy makeup, sleek hair, and that signature confidence – morphing it into side-by-side memes with Sid, the goofy, buck-toothed sloth from Ice Age. Comments flooded in: “She looks just like Sid!” and “Victoria’s Secret lowered its standards.” The jabs weren’t subtle; they targeted her facial features, body type, and sheer audacity to shine in a space long dominated by traditional beauty ideals. Reese, no stranger to scrutiny – from her heated rivalry with Caitlin Clark to past complaints about being overly sexualized in Sports Illustrated shoots – didn’t mince words. In a raw X (formerly Twitter) post, she vented: “This comparison is straight-up unfair and disrespectful. I’m out here breaking barriers, and y’all reduce me to a cartoon? Nah, we’re bigger than that.” Her words resonated, igniting a clapback from fans and allies, including NBA star Anthony Edwards, who tweeted, “Come at me instead – leave Angel alone,” earning a cheeky nod from Kevin Durant: “Yeah… he’s really in love.”

This isn’t isolated shade. Reese’s crossover appeal has always courted controversy. From her Reebok “Mebounds” sneaker line to acting cameos, she’s built an empire on authenticity. Yet, as women’s sports explode – with WNBA viewership soaring 170% last season – so does the toxicity. Experts point to entrenched biases: Black athletes like Reese often endure harsher aesthetic policing than peers. “It’s the ugly underbelly of visibility,” notes cultural commentator Jemele Hill in recent discussions. Reese’s mother reportedly teared up with joy at the show, a poignant reminder of the generational stakes.

Supporters rallied hard. “This is why they mad,” one viral thread declared, praising Reese’s “nasty” walk and unclockable face card. Others highlighted the irony: Victoria’s Secret, post-2019 cancellation amid inclusivity backlash, is rebranding with athletes like Reese to tap into the $1 billion athleisure market. Her participation signals progress – Megan Rapinoe and Eileen Gu have modeled elsewhere, but Reese blazed this trail.

As the dust settles, Reese emerges stronger, teasing more fashion ventures. This “Sid” saga? Just fuel for her fire. In a league where resilience is currency, she’s reminding us: Trolls fade, but legends strut forever. At 500 words, her story underscores a vital truth – true icons don’t just walk runways; they redefine them, wings and all.