Move over, boxing legends—20-year-old ring girl Sydney Thomas emerged as the unexpected star of the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight on Friday, November 15.
Front and center during the Netflix-streamed showdown, Sydney captivated millions of viewers and skyrocketed to viral fame. In an exclusive chat with Us Weekly, the University of Alabama senior revealed that her social media following exploded overnight, gaining a jaw-dropping 350,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
Sydney Thomas Video on Twitter
“My DMs are insanely flooded right now,” Sydney shared. “Some big names and brands have already reached out, but for privacy reasons, I’ll keep the details under wraps. Let’s just say, it’s wild!”
“I Knew It Would Be Big, But Not This Big”
Waking up the morning after the event, Sydney was stunned by her newfound fame. “I checked my followers, saw all the news articles, and my feed was just flooded with pictures, memes, and tags,” she recalled. “That’s when it hit me—I’m officially viral!”
While the sudden attention feels overwhelming, Sydney says she’s embracing the whirlwind. “I think my screen time is at a record 48 hours right now,” she joked. “It’s a lot, but honestly, I feel so blessed. What a problem to have, right?”
Sydney admitted she knew the fight’s global exposure would be significant, but she never imagined she’d become the standout moment. “I thought the focus would stay on the fight itself, not on me. It’s surreal.”
Balancing Stardom, School, and Big Plans
A senior studying online at the University of Alabama, Sydney is juggling her academic goals with her burgeoning career in the spotlight. “Having a flexible schedule definitely helps,” she said. “Right now, I’m focused on building my social media presence and continuing my work with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.”
As she carves her niche in the ring girl and modeling world, Sydney is also determined to finish her degree. “Graduating is still a big goal for me, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me after that.”
Catch more of Sydney Thomas in action—the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight is available to stream now on Netflix!
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