Morgan Riddle, the prominent fashion influencer and partner of American tennis star Taylor Fritz, has issued a powerful public rebuke to online trolls who targeted her with body-shaming comments during the Australian Open.
A Glamorous Figure Faces Vile Commentary
Riddle, a US-based content creator celebrated in publications like Vogue and the New York Times, is in Australia supporting her boyfriend, world number nine Taylor Fritz. However, her significant solo career as a brand partner and influencer has also attracted negative attention. While posting stylish images from the tournament, Riddle was subjected to a series of cruel remarks about her weight and appearance.
One Instagram user commented 'it's a boy' on a photo of Riddle wearing a cropped top, implying she was pregnant. In a direct and revealing caption, Riddle fired back: 'This is why every influencer is on Ozempic or has an ED [eating disorder] btw.' She followed this with a separate post showing her exasperation, captioned 'god forbid a girl has organs'.
The Damaging Impact of Online Trolling
Riddle further highlighted the pervasive nature of the abuse by sharing another image where a different user commented 'I thought pregnant' on a poolside picture. 'mind you I get these on everything I post. Lol, like what????', she wrote, drawing attention to the constant scrutiny.
Her stance resonated with thousands, amassing nearly 23,000 likes on the original post and prompting her followers to defend her vehemently. Comments from supporters called out the trolls' behaviour as 'yuck', 'disgraceful', and urged them to 'seek help'. One defender pointedly told a critic: 'You literally have a drinkers belly. I would not be commenting on anyone's body if I were you.'
Professional Success Amid Personal Attacks
Despite the online vitriol, Riddle's professional endeavours are thriving. She is projected to earn a substantial sum from her Australian Open trip, potentially outstripping her partner's tournament winnings. Through sponsored posts, event appearances, and curated collections, she is expected to pocket around $500,000.
Riddle has previously joked about the friendly competition with Fritz, stating: 'I'm like, 'OK, you've got to make it past the fourth round of this tournament, otherwise I'm going to make more money than you.'' Her response to the trolls not only defends her own body but also casts a stark light on the intense pressures that contribute to widespread use of weight-loss drugs and eating disorders within the influencer community.
