Since the fight between boxing legend Mike Tyson (58) and YouTuber Jake Paul (27), ring girl Sydney Thomas (20) has become a minor celebrity. During and after her appearance at the mega event in Arlington, Texas, the number of followers on her social media channels exploded.
Now there are rumors that the American will soon start on the erotic payment platform “OnlyFans”. But Thomas has to disappoint her fans. “There have been a lot of OnlyFans pages created impersonating me,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, clarifying, “I do not have an OF account and have no plans to have one. The only place where I chat directly with fans is my Passes account (subscription platform without offensive content, ed.).”
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The St. Louis native and University of Alabama student was chosen by fans as the secret winner of the fight night at AT&T Stadium. Thomas let her followers take part in the action surrounding the Tyson vs. Paul duel up close via Instagram.
When she checked her Insta account the next day, her follower numbers had gone through the roof! While she had around 235,000 fans on Instagram before the fight started, shortly afterwards there were more than 300,000. There are now over 700,000.
Thomas before the Tyson fight
Photo: instagram.com/iamsydneythomas
“I woke up and saw my follower count had gone up, and then I saw all the news articles that had been written about me,” Thomas told Us Weekly. He continued: “I refreshed my feed and it was just pictures of me and memes and everything. I think that was the moment for me where I was like, ‘Oh my God, like I’m really going to go viral.'”
Thomas wants to use her little piece of fame and concentrate on a career as a “model and ring girl and share what I have now built with my followers”. But not with “OnlyFans”…
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Source: BILD/InstagramNovember 21, 2024
**In considering the ethical implications of influencer culture, what responsibility do social media platforms bear in managing the sudden fame and potential exploitation of individuals like Sydney Thomas?**
## World Today News Interview: Sydney Thomas and the Rise of the Ring Girl
Today we’re discussing the surprising surge in popularity of Sydney Thomas – the ring girl who stole the show at the recent Tyson vs. Paul fight. We’re joined by two guests: **Sarah Jones**, a social media marketing consultant, and **Michael Davis**, a cultural commentator specializing in influencer trends. Welcome to both of you!
**Section 1: From Ring Girl to Viral Sensation**
**Editor:** Sydney went from relative obscurity to 700,000 followers on Instagram practically overnight. Sarah, what factors do you think contributed to this exponential growth?
**Sarah Jones**: I think several things played a role. Firstly, the Tyson vs. Paul fight was a massive event with huge media attention, which naturally exposed Sydney to a larger audience than she’d usually reach. Secondly, she leveraged her presence at the event brilliantly by engaging her audience on social media in real-time. This gave people a behind-the-scenes peek into the experience, creating a personal connection.
**Editor:** Michael, do you see this as a reflection of a broader trend in our culture, where even fleeting moments of fame can catapult individuals into the spotlight?
**Michael Davis**: Absolutely. We live in an age of instant virality. Social media algorithms amplify unexpected moments, and Sydney happened to be in the right place at the right time, engaging in the right way. This is a testament to the power of digital platforms to create unexpected stars.
**Section 2: Impact of Online Fame**
**Editor:** Sydney has stated her intention to use this newfound platform to build a career as a model and ring girl. Sarah, what advice would you give her for navigating this new landscape?
**Sarah Jones**: Building a sustainable career from sudden online fame can be tricky. I’d advise Sydney to focus on authenticity and building genuine connections with her audience. She should be selective about brand endorsements and partnerships, and prioritize quality content over chasing fleeting trends.
**Editor:** Michael, do you think Sydney’s decision to distance herself from OnlyFans and explicitly address impersonator accounts is a smart move?
潭**Michael Davis**: It’s a shrewd decision. By setting clear boundaries and differentiating herself from potentially explicit content, she caters to a broader audience and reinforces her control over her image. It’s also a gesture that resonates with younger generations who prioritize authenticity and ethical online behavior.
**Section 3: The Future of Ring Girls**
**Editor:** Do you think Sydney’s story will inspire other aspiring ring girls? What does this say about the evolving role of women in combat sports?
**Sarah Jones**: Absolutely. Sydney’s success demonstrates the power of leveraging social media to bridge the gap between traditional roles and a wider audience. It shows aspiring ring girls that there’s potential for building more than just a momentary presence at a fight.
**Michael Davis**: This is a fascinating development. We’re witnessing a shift where traditionally marginalized roles within male-dominated spaces are being redefined. Sydney’s popularity shows that viewers are receptive to a more nuanced and empowered representation of women in these settings.
**Editor:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. We’ve certainly unboxed some fascinating observations about the evolving landscape of fame, social media, and the evolving roles of women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
