Celebrities should always be skeptical about the things they see and read on social media. Just because a small sliver of the world thinks something about them doesn't mean that everyone does. Trolls troll, and they do it to try and get under celebrities' skin, so celebrities shouldn't pay them too much mind. But with that being said, we understand that it's a lot easier to say that than it is to live by it when dumbasses are raining 140 characters of anger down on celebrities and criticizing every little thing they do.
Enter gymnast Gabby Douglas, who pocketed the third gold medal of her illustrious career at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In theory, the last week should have been one of the best weeks of her life, but unfortunately, she was subjected to so much hate on social media that it ruined some of the experience for her. She was picked apart over issues like her hair, her decision not to put her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem, and her disappointment about not qualifying for the women's gymnastics all-around final despite finishing third because of a dumb rule that only allows two competitors per country. These things were hardly deserving of much criticism, but that didn't stop people from going in on Gabby.Â
Douglas finally decided that enough was enough following her last competition in Rio on Sunday and responded to her online critics. She talked about how tough it's been to deal with them in recent days:
"I tried to stay off the internet because there's just so much negativity. 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."
Douglas also offered up an apology to the fans who disapproved of her not putting her hand over her heart during "The Star-Spangled Banner," even though it wasn't really necessary:
"I apologized if I offended anyone. I've always said it was an honor to represent the U.S. You always do this for your country, and then, like people say, for yourself and other people.
Additionally, Â Douglas commented on critics who said she didn't do enough to support her Team USA teammates, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, during the all-around final preparation, despite the fact that she helped both of them warm-up for the event:
"When I heard some of the comments, I was finally like 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, that's far from me and far from my personality at all. I've been through a lot. A lot. Sometimes I sit back and say, 'Wait. What did I do to disrespect people? What have I done to disrespect the USA?' I don't get that part. [Tearing up] I'm sorry."
And her mother Natalie Hawkins, speaking in a story for Reuters, also addressed the criticism Douglas has received:
"She's had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn't smiling enough, she's unpatriotic. Then it went to not supporting your teammates. Now you're 'Crabby Gabby.'
"What I saw in the stands was someone who was hurting and she was also angry. 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.' You name it, she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?"
Happy now, trolls? SMH.
