Golf personality Paige Spiranac shared an emotional video this week detailing the impact of relentless online abuse following her appearance at the Internet Invitational, a content creator-focused golf event with a $1 million prize pool. The 32-year-old social media star, known for her 4 million Instagram followers and vibrant golf-related content, revealed disturbing messages she received, including one urging self-harm alongside expletive-laden insults.
In the tearful clip, Spiranac confessed the harassment reignited lifelong insecurities about social acceptance: “I’ve struggled in groups my entire life—making friends, reading social cues. This hate makes me feel like I’m back to square one.” She explained feeling hopeful about fitting in at the tournament before the backlash: “For once, I thought I belonged... Then came this crushing reminder that people still despise me.”
The Colorado native, who often posts golf tutorials and glamorous photoshoots, emphasized the contradiction between her public persona and private challenges: “It might seem odd given my career, but being liked doesn’t come easily. These messages make old wounds reopen.”
Spiranac’s vulnerability contrasted with her recent upbeat social media activity, including a viral Halloween costume homage to Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Jessica Rabbit and a cameo in Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2. Fans flooded her comments with support, condemning the trolls while praising her transparency about mental health struggles.
The Internet Invitational incident highlights growing concerns about cyberbullying in sports entertainment, where influencers balance visibility with vulnerability. Spiranac concluded her video by urging kindness: “No one deserves this poison. We all just want to feel accepted.”
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