It does not take much these days to go viral on the internet, completely transforming your life in an instant. Just ask the “Hawk Tuah” girl! And now, at just 20 years old, Sydney Thomas is taking the social media world by storm. With hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram and TikTok, she’s become the name on everyone’s lips after her standout appearance as a ring girl during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight.
Sydney’s DMs are apparently packed with offers from big brands and famous faces, which is hardly surprising. But before we dive into her meteoric rise to fame, let’s clear up a burning question that seems to be on the minds of her growing fanbase:
Does Sydney Thomas Have a Boyfriend?
The short answer? No. Sydney Thomas is single and not married. Despite the fascination surrounding her, there’s no sign of a romantic partner on her Instagram or TikTok accounts. Her feeds are filled with snapshots of her life as a cheerleader, model, and honors student—not to mention the occasional viral video. It seems Sydney is focused on her career and passions, leaving no room for relationship speculation. And honestly? Good for her. At 20, she’s embracing life on her terms, leaving fans to admire her from afar.
Sydney’s rise to fame didn’t happen overnight, but her recent appearance at the Tyson-Paul boxing match catapulted her into the spotlight. Held on November 15, the event itself was controversial, with critics noting Tyson’s underwhelming performance in the ring. Yet amidst the lackluster fight, one thing stood out: Sydney Thomas.
Dubbed the “breakout star” of the event by Outkick, Sydney captured the audience’s attention with her striking presence as a ring girl. Her debut in the role was in Puerto Rico in October, but it was her appearance at this high-profile match that turned her into a social media sensation. Sports Illustrated even described her photos as “bombshell pics,” a fitting description for someone whose charisma outshone the main event.
Fans took to social media to rave about her, with comments like, “The true star of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event wasn’t the fighters themselves, but rather the ring girl, Sydney Thomas.” Comparisons to Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney and viral videos from the night only added to her growing fame. Some fans even admitted they were more interested in seeing Sydney than the actual fight!
Sydney Thomas isn’t just a pretty face in the ring. She’s an honors business student at the University of Alabama, balancing her studies with her role as an MLB cheerleader for the St. Louis Cardinals. Since May 2023, she’s been engaging fans at games, conducting interviews, and speaking publicly on the big screen. On top of that, she’s a savvy social media marketer, using her platforms to promote brands while growing her personal following.
After the fight, Sydney expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing,
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.
So, what’s next for Sydney Thomas? Well, she might be a viral star today, but she appears to be a visionary tomorrow.
Sydney Thomas, the Viral Ring Girl, Has Her Signs Set on a Bigger Future
Sydney Thomas, a 20-year-old ring girl and student at the University of Alabama, became an instant internet star during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight at AT&T Stadium. While the match itself left fans underwhelmed—Paul won with a dull unanimous decision against the 58-year-old legend—it was Sydney who stole the show. Social media blew up with memes, photos, and compliments, calling her “the real winner” of the night.
The fight, streamed on Netflix, was hyped as a big face-off between the YouTuber-turned-boxer and the legendary heavyweight champ. But it ended up disappointing most of the audience. Instead, all eyes were on the surprise star of the night: Sydney Thomas. In the chaos, her social media went nuts, racking up hundreds of thousands of new followers practically overnight.
Talking to US Weekly, Thomas—who now boasts 719k followers on Instagram and 991k on TikTok—shared how wild things have gotten, revealing her inbox is packed with messages, including offers from big-name brands. “My DMs are just insanely flooded right now,” she said, before adding:
I woke up and saw how my followers had gone up, and then saw all the news articles that had been written about me. I refreshed my feed and it was just pictures of me and memes and everything. I think that was the moment for me where I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, like I really am going viral.’
Thomas could’ve easily felt overwhelmed by the sudden fame, but she’s taken it in stride with gratitude and determination. It’s a lot to take in, but she feels blessed and incredibly grateful since this is a wonderful problem to have. For her, the fight was a chance to get some exposure thanks to its high-profile nature, but she never expected to end up as the center of attention.
Thomas is balancing her new fame with finishing her senior year through online classes. With a flexible schedule, she’s diving into new opportunities and making the most of the moment. Looking ahead, she’s eager to build her social media, grow her modeling career, and take her role as a ring girl to the next level—especially with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, where she feels like she’s just getting started.
In her own words, Thomas shared:
I think dialing into the ring girl and modeling aspect of my life and sharing that with my audience that I’ve now built up. And then obviously continuing with school, graduating, getting my degree and then seeing where things take me from there.
For now, Sydney is seizing the momentum of her viral fame, determined to turn it into long-term success.
