You’ve seen the side-by-side photos. One half is Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky powerhouse and rebounding machine. The other half is Sid the Sloth from Ice Age. It started as a trickle of mean-spirited comments and exploded into a full-blown internet phenomenon. Honestly, it’s one of those things where once you see the comparison, it’s hard to un-see it, but there is so much more to this story than just a goofy meme.
People say Angel Reese looks like Sid because of specific facial features—the wide-set eyes, the broad smile, and certain animated expressions she makes during high-intensity moments on the court. But while some use it to poke fun, the reality of how this meme impacts the WNBA star (and her brand) is a lesson in modern-day celebrity.
The Origin of the Comparison
The "Angel Reese looks like Sid" meme didn't just appear out of thin air. It gained traction during her legendary run at LSU, specifically when the spotlight on her intensified during the 2023 NCAA Championship. As Reese became a household name, the internet did what the internet does: it looked for a way to "humble" a confident Black woman.
The comparison is fundamentally about her facial structure. In the world of social media, "lookalikes" are a currency. If you have wide-set eyes, you get compared to Sid or a Hammerhead shark. It’s a low-effort joke that relies on exaggerating features.
But here’s the thing. Angel Reese isn't just a face; she’s a 6'3" double-double machine. In the 2024 and 2025 WNBA seasons, she shattered rebounding records, becoming the first player to record three consecutive games with 20+ rebounds. When you're that dominant, people look for anything to nitpick. For some, that meant turning to a cartoon sloth.
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Why Do People Keep Pushing the Meme?
- Reaction Baiting: Trolls love a reaction. By comparing a high-fashion "Bayou Barbie" to a clumsy animated character, they hope to get a rise out of her or her fans.
- The "Villain" Narrative: Because Reese plays with a high level of "edge" and trash talk, she’s often cast as the villain. Mocking her appearance is a common tactic used to diminish her athletic achievements.
- Viral Algorithms: TikTok and Instagram Reels love visual comparisons. A video showing Angel Reese transforming into Sid the Sloth using AI filters (like Clonos.io) can rack up millions of views purely because of the "shock" factor.
How Angel Reese Actually Handles the Trolls
You’d think being compared to a sloth would be a major blow to someone who calls themselves the "Bayou Barbie." Nope. Not Angel.
Reese has a very specific way of handling internet hate: she leans into it or ignores it entirely while cashing checks. She’s famously said on her podcast and social media that "they hate you online but love you in person." She knows the digital version of herself is a playground for people who would never say a word to her face.
Take the "mebounds" situation, for example. Trolls started calling her rebounds "mebounds," claiming she only gets stats by rebounding her own misses. Did she cry? No. She went on TikTok and said, "Whoever came up with that, y'all ate. Rebounds, mebounds, crebounds... it's mine." She even hinted at making merchandise out of it.
That’s the same energy she brings to the Sid comparisons. While she hasn't made a "Sid" shirt yet, her confidence remains unshaken.
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Moving From the Court to the Runway
If you need proof that the Sid the Sloth comparisons haven't hurt her career, just look at 2025. This was the year Angel Reese officially became a Victoria's Secret Angel.
On October 15, 2025, Reese made history as the first-ever professional athlete to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She traded her Chicago Sky jersey for wings and high heels. The irony isn't lost on anyone—the girl they tried to meme into a cartoon sloth is now the face of one of the biggest beauty brands in the world.
She also stunned at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards in a Sergio Hudson Resort 2026 gown. When you're being dressed by the world's top designers, a meme from 2023 starts to feel pretty irrelevant.
The Impact on Female Athletes
There’s a darker side to the Angel Reese looks like Sid narrative. It highlights a double standard in sports. We rarely see male athletes’ facial features dissected and compared to cartoon characters with the same level of vitriol.
Studies from 2025, including research published in PMC, show that "physical appearance comparisons" on social media lead to heightened negative emotions and body dissatisfaction in female athletes. By constantly focusing on whether Reese looks like a sloth or a model, the public shifts the focus away from her 13.1 RPG average and her defensive prowess.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Meme
People think the meme bothers her. It doesn't.
Reese has built a brand on being "unapologetically her." Whether she’s wearing a sheer skirt set for Chanel or grabbing 20 boards against the Phoenix Mercury, she’s doing it as Angel Reese. The comparison to Sid is just background noise in a career that is currently on a vertical trajectory.
Honestly, the "Sid" comments say more about the people posting them than they do about her. It’s a way to try and strip away the "Barbie" persona she’s cultivated. But when you’re winning Unrivaled championships and walking runways in NYC, a sloth meme is just a tiny blip on the radar.
What You Can Do Next
- Watch the Tape: Instead of scrolling through memes, go watch Reese’s 2025 season highlights. Her footwork in the paint and her ability to read the ball off the rim is a masterclass in positioning.
- Follow the Business: Keep an eye on her brand deals. Her partnership with Victoria's Secret and her "Unrivaled" league participation are changing how female athletes monetize their careers.
- Challenge the Narrative: The next time you see a "Sid" comparison, look at the stats. Realize that the person you're looking at is a multi-millionaire athlete who is literally changing the face of the WNBA.