Angel Reese and Dijonai Carrington Call Out New WNBA Fans Over Appearance Criticism

WNBA stars Angel Reese and DiJonai Carrington didn’t hold back on Friday’s episode of Reese’s podcast, "Unapologetically Angel." The duo opened up about harsh criticisms from newer league fans, particularly regarding their looks and style choices.

Reese, who has faced a barrage of comments since her infamous finger-pointing moment at Caitlin Clark during the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship, addressed the scrutiny. "It’s hard, especially as two Black women who are unapologetic. We’re going to say what we have to say, and I stand by that," she stated.

Meanwhile, Carrington recalled a particularly intense moment of backlash after an incident during the WNBA playoffs in 2024, where her fingernail inadvertently left Clark with a black eye. "They be real loose at the mouth," Carrington said of her critics. "It’s not just trolls; it’s people we see in real life." Ouch—talk about taking trash talk to the streets.

But it’s not just their actions on the court that draw fire. Both players revealed that comments about their appearance are among the most frustrating. Reese expressed disdain for people criticizing her for paying attention to her makeup, lashes, and nails. Carrington, on the other hand, shared her irritation at being questioned for her blonde hair. "I got black eyebrows, black arm hair, black leg hair … and I don’t care. I’m still a natural blonde," Carrington said. That’s one way to shut it down.

Reese pointed out the hypocrisy, noting how WNBA players are criticized for being both too feminine and too masculine. "They complain we’re too manly, not feminine enough. Then when we are feminine, it’s ‘too much.’ Like, d---, can’t I put a little lip gloss on?" she quipped. And honestly, she’s not wrong—what’s a girl gotta do to just play ball?

Amid all this, Reese made a subtle dig during the podcast by listing the league’s "baddies"—a term for confident and stylish individuals. Her list included herself, Carrington, Cameron Brink, and Kia Nurse, but conspicuously omitted Caitlin Clark. Coincidence? Probably not, but it’s classy shade nonetheless.

Despite the noise, neither Reese nor Carrington directly addressed Clark during the podcast. Instead, they focused on their shared experiences navigating a league where appearance and performance are scrutinized in equal measure. Their message was clear: they’ll keep being unapologetically themselves, and the critics can take a seat.