Female Athletes is really tough. They have to work hard, compete against tough opponents, and also face stereotypes about how they should look. It’s like they’re expected to be both beautiful and athletic. These stereotypes are not just unfair, they’re harmful too. They send a message that women can’t have both looks and achievements.
This affects not only the athletes themselves but also young girls who admire them. Social media is where these stereotypes thrive the most.In this article, we focus on 23 amazing female athletes who have been criticized for their looks instead of their athletic abilities. For instance, Paige Spiranac, a golf star, became an online influencer because of her looks.
The LPGA felt the need to implement a new dress code to make players less sexy, and breaking the code can result in hefty fines. It’s quite extreme!Some athletes, on the other hand, use their beauty and sexuality to their advantage, whether to raise awareness about important issues or gain more followers.
Some even turn it into a business. It’s a complex world out there, and we’re exploring it fully to show you the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keep reading to discover our list of remarkable female athletes and the price they pay for their appearance.
1. Serena Williams
Serena Williams, a famous tennis player, is one of many female athletes who have faced unfair judgment based on their looks. Despite her incredible achievements in tennis, including winning numerous Olympic gold medals and Grand Slam titles, Serena has been criticized for having a muscular body that doesn’t fit traditional beauty standards.
It’s unfortunate that even with her impressive record, Serena has been body-shamed and received negative comments about her appearance in the media and on social media.
These examples show that female athletes face different standards than their male counterparts. While male athletes are praised for their strength and physical abilities, female athletes often face criticism and scrutiny regarding their looks. They are expected to conform to narrow and unrealistic beauty ideals, which is unfair.
2. Lieke Klaver
Lieke Klaver is a female athlete who became very popular on social media because of her good looks. Even though she didn’t win a medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she made a big impact on social media. People on TikTok are really excited about her and some are even jokingly saying they want to move to the Netherlands because of her.
All this attention has helped her gain a lot more followers on Instagram. She had 275,000 followers before the Olympics and now she has close to 500,000.Klaver is really good at sprint races and she trains nine times a week, taking Sundays off to rest. If you look at her Instagram page, you’ll see lots of posts about fitness and workout videos.
But she also likes spending time with her family and friends and going to the beach. Maybe she should consider joining TikTok too, since she’s been getting so much attention. It would probably be really popular.
3. Eugenie Bouchard
Eugenie Bouchard is a Canadian tennis player who has shown incredible skill on the court. She reached the seventh position in the world rankings, making her a top player. In 2014, she gained a lot of attention and success in tournaments like the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
However, her journey wasn’t always smooth. She faced difficulties in her career, and her ranking dropped significantly. This led to her experiencing an eating disorder, proving that even highly talented athletes can struggle with the pressures of the game.
Penny Werthner, a former Olympian and sports psychology consultant, believes that female athletes face different expectations compared to male athletes. They often face criticism based on their appearance.
Tennis, being an individual sport, can be particularly challenging, with the additional pressures of securing sponsorships and endorsement deals. Despite all these obstacles, Bouchard remains a formidable player in the sport, displaying determination and resilience that make Canadians proud.
4. Yuliya Levchenko
Yuliya Levchenko is a Ukrainian high jumper who started her athletic career when she was young. She has won many medals in national and international competitions. In 2016, she won gold at the World Junior Championships and set a new record with a jump of 1.94 meters.
She has continued to perform well, winning silver at the 2017 European Indoor Championships and gold at the 2018 World Indoor Championships. Levchenko has also participated in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, finishing 11th in Rio and earning a bronze medal in Tokyo.
Apart from her sports achievements, Levchenko is known for her love of fashion and modeling. She has walked the runway for famous fashion brands, worked with Richard Mille, and appeared in many fashion magazines.
However, balancing her athletic and modeling careers is not easy. Modeling can be demanding and take up time and energy that could be used for training. Despite the challenges, Levchenko manages both careers gracefully, showing that she can do it all.
5. Jutta Leerdam
Jutta Leerdam is a talented Dutch speed skater known for her success on the ice. Unfortunately, some media outlets have chosen to focus on her appearance rather than her athletic abilities, treating her as a sex symbol. They use labels like “World’s hottest speed skater” and sexualize her content, especially on sports blogs that predominantly target male audiences.
One particular incident involved a video posted by the YouTube channel FS United, which usually shares bloopers. In this video, Jutta was shown wearing a partially unzipped skating suit. However, the channel edited the footage in a way that made her breasts appear larger when she unzipped the suit.
It’s crucial to shift the attention back to Jutta’s achievements as an athlete and recognize the hard work she has put in to reach her goals. Instead of reducing her to her looks, we should celebrate her athletic accomplishments. Fortunately, not all media attention she receives is negative or sexualized.
Recently, Jutta has been in the news for the values she stands for. She has been open about her struggles with body image and weight. In an interview with De Telegraaf, she revealed that when she was 16, she developed an unhealthy obsession with losing weight. It became a game for her, and she realized she was eating too little while training rigorously. This led to an unhealthy drop in her body fat percentage and had physical consequences.
Jutta believed that extreme weight loss would improve her performance on the ice, but it had the opposite effect. She faced stress and experienced weight gain during the winter season. Now, she wants to raise awareness about the negative effects of inadequate nutrition and the pressure on athletes to maintain specific weights.
6. Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza, a highly accomplished Indian tennis player, recently played her last professional match at the WTA Dubai Duty Free Championships. She has won six Grand Slam doubles titles, making her the most successful Indian tennis player. Sania faced many challenges throughout her career but overcame them to become a role model for women’s sports in India.
Despite facing criticism for her choices, both on and off the court, she used those experiences to become stronger and gained recognition not only in India but throughout South Asia.In today’s world, social media plays a significant role in sports, allowing fans from around the globe to actively engage with their favorite athletes, including top-tier performers like Sania.
Athletes like her have taken advantage of social media’s influence to become superstars, gaining millions of followers and securing lucrative endorsement deals. It’s no surprise that Sania is one of the highest-earning athletes in women’s sports, as she has a massive and dedicated fanbase. She earns approximately €9.1 million through Twitter, €14 million through Facebook, and €6.2 million through Instagram, thanks to her popularity on these platforms.
7. Camille Leblanc Bazinet
In the past, society expected women to be very thin to be considered beautiful. But then CrossFit came along and changed that. Suddenly, being strong became more important than being skinny. Women started embracing the idea that having muscles and being defined was the new ideal. Role models like Annie Thorisdottir, Heather Bergeron, and Miranda Oldroyd showed that women could be fit, healthy, and strong. They didn’t want to look thin and frail anymore; they wanted to feel powerful, confident, and strong.
One of the most inspiring CrossFit athletes was Camille Leblanc-Bazinet. She was not only incredibly strong but also looked real. Unlike some other athletes who had every vein showing, Camille focused on performance rather than just looks. She was strong, confident, and relatable.
Camille, a Canadian CrossFit athlete and fitness model, became famous worldwide after winning the 2014 CrossFit Games. She started her athletic journey as a gymnast and participated in various sports like track and field, pole vaulting, and weightlifting. Besides her athletic career, she is also a licensed chiropractor who helps people improve their physical health and performance. She inspired many women to pursue their fitness goals and live a healthy lifestyle.
However, when The Box magazine published a photoshopped cover photo of Camille, making her look flawless like a model, the CrossFit community was angry. People accused the magazine of altering her body to fit their narrow standards of beauty.
The magazine gave a weak apology, but the damage was done. Camille unintentionally sent a message to young women that being skinny was still the ultimate goal. She missed a great opportunity to show that true beauty comes from strength and being genuine. The lesson is clear: being strong is more important than being skinny, but being real is even better. Embrace your strength and imperfections, and inspire others to do the same.
8. Alysha Newman
Alysha Newman had a challenging journey to become a pole vaulter for Team Canada. After retiring from gymnastics due to an injury, she discovered her love for track and field and achieved great success. She won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and a gold medal four years later, setting a new record in pole vaulting for the Commonwealth.
Despite facing a knee injury in 2018, Newman made a strong comeback in 2019 by breaking her own Canadian record twice. In 2021, she continued to pursue her goals, aiming to surpass the five-meter mark in pole vaulting and win an Olympic medal.
However, as a female athlete, Newman has experienced objectification and being judged based on her appearance in the sport. To take control of the situation, she decided to join a subscription-based content platform.
This platform allows her to connect with her genuine fans and share exclusive moments from her life, avoiding exploitation. Despite the platform’s reputation for explicit content, Newman clarifies that she does not post any naked photos. Instead, she uses the platform to offer fans a unique glimpse into her life and her experiences as an Olympian.
In essence, Newman recognizes that the media may sexualize her, so she has chosen to manage the content herself and benefit from it financially. She is skilled at sales and believes that she can have both success in her sport and control over her public image.
9. Alana Blanchard
Female athletes face various complex challenges, and Alana Blanchard, a professional surfer from Hawaii, is a clear example of how motherhood can be used against them. Blanchard is a talented surfer who has achieved significant success in her career.
However, when she announced her pregnancy, things took a negative turn. Her long-term sponsor, Rip Curl, decided to end their partnership, allegedly because they were unhappy with her becoming a mother, as stated in her emotional video.
Blanchard had been associated with Rip Curl since she was 14 and felt that they treated her differently after she became pregnant with her son, Banks. Although Rip Curl denied her claims and expressed interest in re-signing her, they couldn’t reach an agreement.
Since the split, Blanchard, who has a large following on Instagram and YouTube, has been facing difficulties. Her experience highlights the unfortunate reality that even accomplished female athletes encounter discrimination and challenges when it comes to starting a family. It emphasizes the need for more support and inclusivity for women in sports.
10. Allison Stokke
Imagine being a talented athlete who dreams of reaching the top of your sport, only to have your life completely changed by a single picture. That’s exactly what happened to Allison Stokke, a pole vaulter from California. Overnight, she became incredibly popular on the internet when a photo of her went viral. While some people might have been excited about their sudden fame, for Allison, it was a complete nightmare.
Before the photo, Allison was already making a name for herself in the world of pole vaulting. She had achieved great things, like breaking records and winning championships. She was well on her way to achieving her goals. However, once the photo went viral, everything changed. Suddenly, she was famous, but not for her athletic abilities. Instead, she became the target of sexism and objectification.
The photo was intended to highlight her beauty and physique. It was uploaded to a website for track and field in California and later shared on a sports blog that mainly targeted male readers. The caption accompanying the photo emphasized the sexual aspect of pole vaulting rather than its athletic prowess. The picture quickly spread across social media platforms and even received attention from major media outlets like the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The BBC, and Der Spiegel.
Despite the fame and attention that followed, Allison struggled to deal with the unwanted and inappropriate focus that came with the photo’s viral popularity. She received numerous requests for photoshoots and interviews, often from photographers who wanted to capture her inappropriately.
Thankfully, her parents supported and guided her through this difficult time. There were some positive aspects, like modeling partnerships with sports brands and modeling agencies. However, there were also negative consequences, such as the University of California refusing to showcase her photo on their athletics profile page due to the overwhelming number of inappropriate requests they received from men.
11. Mana Shim
Mana Shim is an inspiring female athlete who is working hard to break stereotypes about female athletes. She has faced many challenges along the way before people recognized the flaws in the world and the system. As a former American soccer player and current advocate for athletes, she played as a midfielder for Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Besides her accomplishments on the field, Shim has openly talked about her own experiences with sexual orientation, mental health, and sexual harassment in sports. In 2013, she publicly announced her sexual orientation right before the NWSL championship game to provide inspiration and support for the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2017, Shim bravely shared that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, helping to break the stigma around mental health issues in sports. Her actions emphasized the importance of mental health support for athletes and encouraged others facing similar challenges to seek help.
More recently, Shim has been a strong advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and misconduct in women’s soccer. In 2021, she accused her former manager Paul Riley of sexual misconduct and abuse, which resulted in his dismissal from the North Carolina Courage team and an investigation by the NWSL.
Through her actions and advocacy, Mana Shim has become a role model and leader for female athletes worldwide. She inspires them to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness about important issues, and advocate for positive changes in the sports world.
12. Paige Spiranac
Paige Spiranac is a professional golfer who has gained a lot of attention worldwide. What makes her impressive is not just her golf skills, but also her appearance. She is making a name for herself both on and off the golf course.
Despite having only won one professional tournament, she has become well-known, partly because of her stunning looks and her social media presence. However, it’s important to note that she is not just a pretty face – she is also a skilled golfer and a passionate advocate for sports.
Paige grew up as a gymnast in Colorado, but had to give up that sport due to a knee injury. However, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her love for golf. She has gained popularity through her YouTube videos, where she shares her golf knowledge and skills with her fans through 145 tutorials.
It is undeniable that her appearance has played a role in her success. With millions of followers on Instagram, Paige has become a social media star. Many of her posts feature her in form-fitting golf outfits, and she doesn’t shy away from emphasizing her sex appeal.
While some criticize her for using her looks to gain followers instead of relying solely on her golf skills, Paige has defended herself by explaining that she wants to bring more attention to women’s golf and inspire young girls to take up the sport.
However, her choice of revealing outfits has sparked controversy, leading to the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) implementing a new dress code to promote a less sexualized image for players. This decision has received criticism from some players who believe it reflects outdated views and may discourage new, young players from joining the sport.
13. Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan is a famous soccer player who is well-liked because she’s easy to relate to. She started playing for the US Women’s National Team when she was only 22, which made her the youngest player ever. Now she’s one of the most important female athletes in the world. She’s done things that no other female soccer player has done before, like being on the cover of the FIFA video game and making a lot of money.
Besides being successful in her career, Morgan has been using her fame to speak up about sexual abuse in women’s soccer. She recently talked about how her former teammate, Mana Shim, was sexually harassed by her coach, Paul Riley, and the system didn’t support her. An investigation found out that this kind of abuse is happening in many teams, with different coaches and players, in the National Women’s Soccer League.
14. Aly Raisman
Get ready to be inspired by Aly Raisman, an amazing gymnast who has achieved great success. She has won six Olympic medals and has been the captain of the women’s team twice, showing how strong she is in the sport.
But Aly’s impact goes beyond gymnastics. She is a strong advocate for body positivity and uses her Instagram platform, where she has over 2 million followers, to encourage self-love and acceptance. She has even joined forces with the clothing brand Aerie to create powerful messages about maintaining a positive mindset in the age of social media.
Aly is also a passionate supporter of mental health and praised Simone Biles’ decision to prioritize her well-being during the 2021 Olympics. Not only does Aly excel in sports and beauty, but she also fights for justice for her fellow gymnasts. She truly is an incredible person in many ways!
15. Skylar Diggins
Skylar Diggins-Smith is a very skilled basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She has done well in both college and professional basketball.
Diggins-Smith is known for being really good at handling the ball, being fast, and making scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. But what’s even more important is that she speaks up for women’s sports and social justice. She uses her platform to ask for fair pay for female athletes and supports the Black Lives Matter movement.
She has talked about how WNBA players get paid a lot less than NBA players. She pointed out that WNBA players only get 20% of the money that male players get, and she is the highest-paid player on her team with a salary in the low six figures.
In comparison, NBA players make a minimum of over $838,000. Diggins-Smith is working with Jay-Z to make her brand better known and more popular, but she also thinks the WNBA should create more chances for its players to be promoted. She wants men to support equal pay in sports.
Even though she faces challenges on and off the court, Diggins-Smith keeps being a positive influence in the basketball community and inspires young athletes everywhere. Her skills, hard work, and advocacy are helping to make sports more fair and inclusive in the future.
16. Paige VanZant
Female athletes facing mental and societal pressures in sports is a recognized issue. Paige VanZant, a famous MMA fighter and social media influencer, is a clear example of this. She openly talked about her mental health problems after losing two fights in Bare Knuckle FC. In a sincere YouTube video, she shared that she left the ring, went to the parking lot, and cried alone.
She even told her husband that she didn’t want to live anymore. Despite her struggles, VanZant is focused on taking care of her mental health and encourages others to do the same.VanZant recently signed a profitable four-fight contract worth over $1 million and has a large following on social media.
She has also been on reality TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and Chopped. Some female athletes may feel judged and objectified based on their looks, but VanZant embraces her image and has pushed boundaries by sharing revealing photos of herself on Instagram. She recently announced that she has joined OnlyFans, a platform where she provides exclusive content and training videos.
VanZant sees OnlyFans as a platform that is becoming more acceptable and not just limited to adult entertainers. Even though she is dedicated to intense training and achieving top physical fitness, she understands that her subscribers may be interested in more than just her training videos.
17. Anastasia Ashley
Anastasia Ashley, a professional surfer and model, has spoken up about the need to support and encourage female athletes without judging them for their looks. As someone who is both a surfer and a model, she has faced criticism because some people believe that female athletes shouldn’t be posing in a sexy way or wearing makeup. However, Ashley believes that female athletes should be able to express themselves through fashion and makeup without facing negative judgment.
Ashley has pointed out that there is a double standard in the sports world when it comes to the appearance of female athletes. Male athletes are often praised for their physical attractiveness, but female athletes are often criticized for the same reasons. This double standard can be especially harmful in sports where appearance is important, like gymnastics or figure skating.
Furthermore, Ashley has noticed that the pressure to conform to traditional feminine beauty standards can have a negative impact on female athletes’ performance. When female athletes are criticized for wearing makeup or dressing a certain way, it can undermine their self-confidence and affect how they perform on the field or in competitions.
Ashley believes it is crucial to empower female athletes to be themselves and to celebrate their achievements regardless of their appearance. She envisions a world where female athletes are evaluated based on their skills and accomplishments rather than their looks.
18. Sydney Leroux
Sydney Leroux is an amazing soccer player who knows how to score both on and off the field. She’s not afraid to use her good looks and large social media following for positive purposes. Sydney was born in Canada and grew up in the US. She showed her natural talent for sports at a young age, excelling in soccer and track in high school.
Sydney has played for top teams like the Seattle Sounders Women and the Boston Breakers. She has also represented the US Women’s National Team, winning a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. But Sydney is more than just a great athlete. She’s a social media star with over a million followers on Instagram. She uses her influence to speak out about important issues like equality and mental health.
In a recent Instagram post, she highlighted the fact that only 5% of sports coverage features female athletes. She believes that women have been overlooked and not given enough support for too long. Sydney wants to change that and promote more women in sports.
Sydney is a true role model for young girls who aspire to be athletes. She proves that hard work and dedication can lead to success. With her impressive skills and attractive appearance, she is making a big impact in the soccer world and inspiring fans worldwide. Keep it up, Sydney!
19. Camila Giorgi
Camila Giorgi is an Italian tennis player who was born on December 30, 1991, in Macerata, Italy. She comes from a family of tennis players, and her father is also her coach. She started her professional career at the age of 14 in 2006. Throughout her tennis journey, Giorgi has achieved some impressive wins, such as defeating Maria Sharapova at the 2014 Indian Wells Masters and making it to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2018.
Aside from her tennis achievements, Giorgi has represented Italy in Fed Cup competitions and was part of the Italian team that reached the final in 2013. Her highest singles ranking was No. 26, which she achieved in July 2018.
However, Giorgi has recently faced criticism for sharing some revealing photos on Instagram. Sexist individuals have left negative comments on her posts, causing controversy among her fans and critics. Some people have unfairly accused her of looking more like an “adult entertainer” than an athlete, and this has raised doubts about her commitment to her tennis career.
This situation sheds light on the double standard that female athletes often encounter. They are not only judged on their performance in sports but also on their appearance and behavior outside the game. It is unjust that athletes like Giorgi have to face such scrutiny and criticism. It’s crucial to remember that their value as athletes should not be tied to their looks or their activity on social media.
20. Blair O’Neal
Meet Blair O’Neal, the stunning golfer who has captured attention both on the golf course and in the world of modeling. Originally from Illinois, Blair has been excelling in golf since her college days at Arizona State University, where she earned a full scholarship for her skills. Trust me, she’s an amazing player!
But Blair isn’t just about golf. She’s also a beautiful model who has worked with Sports Illustrated’s “Swimsuit Issue” and Golf Digest, among others. Have you seen her incredible legs and smile? It’s no wonder she has a huge following on social media!
However, don’t be deceived by her looks. Blair possesses remarkable skills and has competed in various golf tours, including the LPGA Tour and the Symetra Tour. She even won the prestigious “The Big Break” competition on Golf Channel, which granted her opportunities to play in professional tournaments. She’s a true boss!
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Blair has also worked as a television host and commentator, covering golf events for different networks. This woman truly does it all! So, whether you’re a golf enthusiast, a fashion lover, or simply admire talented individuals who excel in their pursuits, Blair O’Neal is someone you should definitely keep an eye on. She’s an inspiration to anyone who wants to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles!
21. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is a very talented person who has excelled in different areas. She is known for her skills in sports and acting. In the past, she was a successful fighter in mixed martial arts and judo, and she made history by becoming the first women’s UFC Bantamweight Champion. Rousey was dominant in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
She also had a notable career in professional wrestling. She achieved a rare feat by winning championships in both the UFC and WWE. She even headlined important events in both organizations.
Because of her remarkable accomplishments, Rousey is considered one of the greatest female athletes ever. ESPN even named her the best female athlete of all time. Her determination and dedication to her craft have made her an influential figure in the worlds of sports and entertainment.
Rousey has a huge following on social media, which has helped her become one of the highest-earning athletes. It is estimated that she earns more than $28 million from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter combined.
22. Ivona Dadic
Forget Arnold Schwarzenegger, there’s a new amazing athlete from Austria! Meet Ivona Dadic, a talented track and field star who can outrun, out-jump, and out-throw almost anyone in the world.
Ivona started her Olympic journey when she was just 19 years old and competed in the heptathlon event. She did incredibly well and achieved personal bests in three different events. That’s truly impressive!
But Ivona’s path to success didn’t start at the Olympics. She began competing at the young age of nine. While most kids were playing with toys, Ivona was already training to become a top-notch athlete. With her incredible beauty and athletic abilities, Ivona is a powerful force both on and off the track. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!
23. Michelle Jenneke
Michelle Jenneke, an Australian hurdler and model, became really popular on social media because of a video that became very popular in 2012. Instead of focusing on her athletic abilities, people loved her dance in the video and shared it online. The dance is her special warm-up routine before races. But Jenneke wants to be known for more than just her dance routine because it’s an important part of her mental and physical preparation for races.
Jenneke is disappointed with how female athletes are treated in the media. They are often praised at first but then criticized just as quickly. Even though people pay a lot of attention to her dance routine, it’s important to recognize her athletic skills. She finished sixth in her 100m hurdle heat at the 2016 Rio Olympics, showing that she’s more than just a famous video.
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