LSU Star Angel Reese Reveals Dark Side Of Fame After Last Year's Title Win

Angel Reese wants everyone to remember she's "human."

After Iowa beat LSU Monday night in the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight game, Reese revealed what it's been like for her since winning the championship last year through tears. A few of her teammates also shared words of encouragement and support for the LSU star.

After LSU fell to Iowa in the Elite Eight round on Monday, Reese shared some of what she's been through since winning the championship last year.

"I don't really get to stand up for myself. I have great teammates, I have a great support system, I got my hometown, I got my family that stands up for me," she told reporters postgame. "I don't really get to speak out on things just because I try to ignore and I just try to stand strong."

She continued with tears in her eyes explaining all she's been through and what she's seen since last year when LSU beat Iowa in the championship game.

"I've been attacked so many times," she continued. "Death threats. I've been sexualized, I've been threatened, I've been so many things and I've stood strong every single time. And I just try to stand strong for my teammates because I don't want them to see me down and not be there for them."

Reese also reminded everyone that she's "still human" and said she hasn't "been happy since" winning the championship last year.

"And it sucks, but I still wouldn't change. I wouldn't change anything and I would still sit here and say I'm unapologetically me," she said.

"I'm going to always leave that mark and be who I am and I stand on that."

She also hopes that the young girls who look up to her get some inspiration from her. She wants them to remember to "keep being who you are," stay motivated, and "just be confident."

Just before Reese shared all she's been feeling and going through, her teammate Flau'jae Johnson spoke about who the "real Angel Reese" is.

"Everybody can have their opinion on Angel Reese, but y'all don't know her. Y'all don't know Angel Reese. I know Angel Reese," she said. "I know the real Angel Reese."

She went on to share that Reese is strong and caring, and the kind of teammate who makes others believe in themselves.

"The person I see every day is a strong person, is a caring, loving person. The crown she wears is heavy, bro," she continued. "She's the type of teammate that's going to make you believe in yourself. The leap I took from my freshman to sophomore year, Angel gave me that confidence to go be a dog, playing next to a dog every day."

Johnson explained that while the two have been through some of their own problems, Reese is her "sister" and she's "so proud of her."

"I'm just happy I get to play with her," she continued. "I get to be around her presence, her energy. It's different. She just made me a better player and that's what great players do."

Another of Reese's LSU teammates, Hailey Van Lith, shared a message for anyone spreading hate about Reese.

"Angel's one of the toughest people I've ever been around. People speak hate into her life. I've never seen people wish bad things on someone as much as her and it does not affect her," Van Lith said postgame Monday.

"She comes to practice every day. She lives her life every day. She lives how she wants to live. She doesn't let anybody change that. That's the life right there."

She then reminded haters that they should save their energy.

"Y'all do not get to Angel Reese, so you might want to give up," she said. "Throw the towel in because you're wasting your energy."

Iowa star Caitlin Clark and Reese both explained that they did not have hate for each other before Monday's game and proved it after the game with their actions.

Right after Iowa's 94-87 win over LSU to advance to the Final Four, Clark and Reese hugged in the team handshake line.

ESPN shared the moment in an Instagram post captioned, "Respect between Angel and Caitlin after an ABSOLUTE CLASSIC." Fans dropped into the comments to leave their thoughts.

"It’s the media that wants them to hate each other so bad. They have genuine respect for each other," one fan wrote. Another added, "LEGENDARY."