Sydney Thomas, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, is basking in newfound fame after serving as a ring girl during the highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The match, held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, saw Paul defeat Tyson in eight rounds, but it was Thomas who stole the spotlight, gaining a massive social media following in the process.
Thomas, who now boasts over 627,000 Instagram followers and 930,000 TikTok followers, shared her gratitude for the overwhelming support. In a message on her Instagram Stories, she wrote, “I woke up to an overwhelming amount of love and support from all of you. I can’t thank you guys enough or begin to express how grateful I am. I love you all — thank you for your kind words”, reported by the New York Post.
The morning after the fight, streamed on Netflix, Thomas posted a TikTok video captioned, “I’m happy you guys enjoyed the broadcast!” The video humorously captured her excitement upon discovering she was trending for her role in the event. In another post, she reflected on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, saying, “Getting the opportunity to step into the ring with @MikeTyson and @JakePaul for such a historic fight is something I never imagined I’d be able to say. Words can’t describe this moment or how grateful I am to be part of such an amazing team at @MostValuablePromotions. History was made, and I’m truly honored to have been a part of it.”
Fans flocked to Thomas’ social media accounts with praise and encouragement. Comments ranged from, “SYDNEY THOMAS WAS THE MAIN EVENT,” to, “You were the best part of the fight.”
Thomas revealed in a recent Instagram Q&A that she was discovered through social media. The Tyson-Paul fight marked her second appearance as a ring girl, following her debut at an October fight in Puerto Rico for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
The viral moment has cemented Thomas’ status as a rising star, with her social media presence continuing to grow. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “History was made, and I’m truly honored to have been a part of it.”