Gabby Douglas Responds to All the Recent Online Bullying: "It Was Hurtful"
The gold-medal gymnast has been critiqued on everything from her hair to her response to the national anthem.
According to haters, Gabby Douglas can't do anything right. Despite representing the U.S.A. in two Olympic Games and being an impressive part of the gymnastics team—you know, the multiple-gold-medaling one—the 20-year-old athlete has taken heat from social media commenters on everything from her hair to the way she stands while listening to the national anthem. (She was photographed without her hand over her heart.)
"I tried to stay off the internet because there's just so much negativity," she recently told ET Online. "Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium] or I look depressed...It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It's been kind of a lot to deal with."
"I've always said it was an honor to represent the U.S.," she continued. "You always do this for your country, and then, like people say, for yourself and other people."
Douglas' mother, Natalie Hawkins, opened up earlier about the treatment her daughter has received: "What I saw in the stands was someone who was hurting and she was also angry," she told Reuters. "What was going through her head was 'I'm being attacked for everything I do so I might as well not do anything. Because no matter what I do, I am being attacked.'"
Haters gonna hate, Douglas. We're behind you. And so are a lot of people.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Samantha Leal is the Deputy Editor at Well+Good, where she spends most of her day thinking of new ideas across platforms, bringing on new writers, overseeing the day-to-day of the website, and working with the awesome team to produce the best stories and packages. Before W+G, she was the Senior Web Editor for Marie Claire and the Deputy Editor for Latina.com, with bylines all over the internet. Graduating from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with a minor in African history, she’s written everything from travel guides to political op-eds to wine explainers (currently enrolled in the WSET program) to celebrity profiles. Find her online pretty much everywhere @samanthajoleal.
-
Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K.
"We found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Allegedly Rejected Idea to Seat Prince Andrew "Behind a Pillar" at Her Christmas Carol Concert
"Although very much a family affair... there was no space for Uncle Andy."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
32 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TV
Believe it or not.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
The 32 Best Sports Movies Ever
These hit a home run.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
A’ja Wilson Says the "Biggest Thing" in Addressing the Gender Pay Gap Is Finding Allies to Invest in the WNBA
The WNBA star and author spoke to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
By Sadie Bell Published
-
Where Are the Stars of Netflix's 'America's Sweethearts: The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders' Now?
Most importantly, here's who returned to this season's training camp.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Cleopatra Coleman Plays the Fascinating Center of a Tabloid Scandal in 'Clipped'
The Australian actress discusses finding humanity in her depiction of V. Stiviano in the new FX series about the Donald Sterling scandal.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Flag Football Star Diana Flores on the Collective Power of Women's Sports
"I bet if you see a female athlete succeed, you're going to cheer with her."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Who is Athing Mu, the 800-Meter Olympic Star?
She likes Grey's Anatomy AND might win gold!
By Megan DiTrolio Published
-
What Does "ROC" Mean at the Tokyo Olympics?
It's a temporary workaround in the aftermath of Russia's massive doping scandal.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Team USA Fencers Wore Pink Masks to Protest Their Teammate Accused of Sexual Assault
Alen Hadzic made it to the Olympics in spite of allegations of sexual misconduct, but his teammates found a way to protest the decision in plain sight.
By Jenny Hollander Published