Sydney Thomas, who skyrocketed to fame as a ring girl during Netflix’s coverage of the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul fight, has officially graduated from the University of Alabama.
Less than six months after her fame took off, Thomas shared the exciting news with her social media followers, marking a major milestone in her life.
From College Graduate to Viral Sensation
Thomas first grabbed attention at the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In front of more than 60,000 spectators, Thomas was one of the ring girls, an appearance that led to her viral moment on Netflix.
Her rise to fame was swift, and she now has over 2 million followers combined across TikTok, X, and Instagram.
Recently, Thomas celebrated her graduation with a heartfelt post on Instagram, sharing photos of herself in a white dress around the Tuscaloosa campus.
One of the pictures even showed her with six of her friends, commemorating the special day.
Another featured Thomas in a red dress, joyfully popping open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Reflecting on a Memorable College Journey
In her Instagram caption, Thomas reflected on her college experience, acknowledging how transformative her time at Alabama has been.
“Did it in 3 @univofalabama,” she wrote.
She shared how navigating personal struggles, like the loss of her mother, alongside the whirlwind of sudden fame, had made her journey unique.
She also expressed deep gratitude for her time at Alabama, noting how the university had remained a constant source of support through the highs and lows.
“Though my college journey was far from typical, I’ve found such beauty and comfort in the abnormalcy of it all,” she continued.
“Everything unfolded in alignment with God’s divine timing.”
A Sweet Farewell to Alabama
While it’s bittersweet for Thomas that her college chapter has come to an end a year early, she expressed her love for the university, saying, “Alabama will always be sweet home to me.”
Her heartfelt message concluded with a warm “Roll Tide, forever & always xo.”
Global Congratulations Flood in for the New Graduate
Thomas’s post was met with congratulations from around the globe, including from fellow influencers and celebrities like Livvy Dunne, Breckie Hill, and Katie Feeney.
“Beauty queen! Congratulations,” commented Dunne, the former LSU gymnast.
Overnight Fame and Growing Popularity
Though Thomas was relatively unknown before the fight, her social media presence has flourished since.
She’s consistently in the spotlight, sharing content with her growing fanbase.
Among the attention she’s received, she’s even revealed that a SEC football coach slid into her DMs—a detail that has sparked curiosity among fans and internet sleuths, though she chose to keep the coach’s identity private.
As Thomas continues to navigate this new phase in her life, it’s clear that her journey from viral ring girl to college graduate has been one full of unexpected twists and immense growth.