Sydney Thomas recently celebrated her 21st birthday and experienced a significant career boost after her appearance as a ring girl at the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Her presence at the highly publicized event, initially postponed due to Tyson's health issues, catapulted her into the social media spotlight.
Already possessing a considerable online following, which landed her the ring girl role in the first place, Thomas's visibility skyrocketed after the fight was broadcast to millions of homes via Netflix. This exposure, amplified by the pre-fight buzz surrounding Mike Tyson's viral slap of Jake Paul, led to a dramatic increase in her followers, with Thomas reporting a gain of 200,000 on Instagram alone.
Sydney Thomas in the ring during the Paul-Tyson fight. (Raphaela Milagres)
While acknowledging the overwhelming influx of messages, both positive and negative, Thomas emphasizes the importance of her support system in navigating this newfound fame. She credits her close circle of trusted individuals for providing guidance and helping her maintain a grounded perspective.
Thomas plans to leverage her growing platform for positive impact. (Raphaela Milagres)
Capitalizing on her increased recognition, Thomas recently attended the F1 weekend in Las Vegas, a strategic move to maximize her current exposure. Among her aspirations is a potential feature in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, a goal she has openly discussed and for which she has reportedly received encouraging feedback.
Currently pursuing an entrepreneurship degree online at the University of Alabama, Thomas aims to leverage her social media presence to build a sustainable personal brand and ultimately create a business that aligns with her long-term vision. Beyond financial success, she expresses a strong desire to use her platform for positive change, emphasizing her commitment to making a meaningful impact and leaving a positive legacy.
Jake Paul with Sydney Thomas at the weigh-in. (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
