Congratulations to Angel and Sha’Carri for being included on Complex’s list of the Most Influential Female Athletes!

When Complex released its latest list of the Most Influential Female Athletes, two names immediately jumped off the page—Angel Reese and Sha’Carri Richardson. This wasn’t just a nod to talent. It was a celebration of charisma, resilience, cultural impact, and the indomitable will to inspire.

Angel and Sha’Carri have each carved out powerful, personal brands that transcend sport. They’ve dominated not only on the court and the track but also on social media, in fashion, and in public discourse. Their inclusion on Complex’s influential list is not just earned—it’s overdue.

Angel Reese became a household name during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, where she led LSU to its first national championship. Dubbed the “Bayou Barbie,” Reese played with an edge, blending physical dominance in the paint with unapologetic swagger. Her iconic gesture—pointing to her ring finger while staring down Caitlin Clark—went viral and ignited national conversations about race, double standards, and celebration in women’s sports.

But what some critics saw as arrogance, millions saw as empowerment. Reese redefined how female athletes are allowed to express themselves. She made it clear that women, especially Black women, can be bold, brash, and beautiful—and still be role models.

“I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto,” Reese famously said following the backlash to her celebration. “Y’all told me that all year. But when others do it, y’all don’t say nothing. This was for the girls that look like me.”

That kind of authenticity has made Reese one of the most marketable athletes in the country. She has secured endorsement deals with major brands such as Reebok, Amazon, Coach, and McDonald’s, and she was one of the most prominent faces in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) history.

Then there’s Sha’Carri Richardson—the fastest woman in the world and, without a doubt, one of the boldest. After bursting onto the national scene in 2021 with her fiery orange hair and electric personality, Richardson quickly became a sensation. But her Olympic dream was cut short after testing positive for marijuana, leading to widespread controversy and divided opinions.

Some called for accountability, others for compassion. But through it all, Sha’Carri stood tall. She didn’t hide. She didn’t retreat. Instead, she worked. Silently. Determinedly.

In 2023, her comeback was nothing short of legendary. Richardson won gold in the 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, reminding the world why she was once dubbed “the next Flo Jo.” Her 10.65-second finish wasn’t just a personal best—it was a world-leading time and a statement: I’m back, and I’m better.

What sets Sha’Carri apart isn’t just her speed. It’s her unfiltered self-expression, her raw honesty, and her refusal to play the game on anyone else’s terms. Whether it’s her ever-changing hairstyles or her emotional candor during interviews, Sha’Carri has become a symbol of resilience and self-acceptance.

Complex’s “Most Influential Female Athletes” list is more than a popularity contest. It reflects the changing landscape of sports media and culture, where influence is no longer measured solely by medals or stats, but by reach, relevance, and resonance.

For years, women’s sports have battled for visibility and respect. Now, with athletes like Reese and Richardson breaking barriers and commanding attention, those tides are turning. Their influence can be measured in the number of girls who wear their jerseys, emulate their hairstyles, quote their interviews, or simply believe they can.

Both Angel and Sha’Carri are unapologetically Black women who don’t shrink themselves to fit into palatable molds. They’ve faced criticism not just for what they do, but how they do it. Their visibility challenges the narrow definitions of femininity and athleticism that have long dominated media portrayals.

Their inclusion on this list is validation, but more importantly, it’s inspiration.

What makes Reese and Richardson’s stories so powerful is how they’ve each leveraged their athletic success into wider cultural capital. They’re not just athletes—they’re fashion icons, social media powerhouses, and brand ambassadors.

Reese strutted down the runway at New York Fashion Week and has collaborated with high-end labels. Her Instagram is a blend of fierce game shots and high-glam selfies. She’s redefined what it means to be a student-athlete in the NIL era.

Sha’Carri, meanwhile, has appeared in Nike campaigns and fronted features for publications like Vogue and The Cut. Her style, often described as bold and futuristic, is as much a part of her identity as her explosive start out of the blocks.

They’re both challenging outdated notions of what a female athlete “should” look like. In doing so, they’re not just shifting fashion norms—they’re making brands take notice.

Influence isn’t just about popularity—it’s about impact. Both Reese and Richardson have used their platforms to speak on mental health, racial equity, body image, and double standards in sports.

Reese has been outspoken about how Black women are often penalized for behavior that is praised in their white counterparts. She’s also been an advocate for empowering young girls in underserved communities, often returning to her roots in Baltimore to give back.

Richardson, similarly, has talked about loss, grief, and the expectations placed on young athletes. She’s been vocal about the importance of therapy, personal growth, and living life without masks.

Their voices matter. And they resonate with a generation that’s tired of surface-level empowerment and ready for the real thing.

Despite operating in vastly different sports, Reese and Richardson’s paths share common threads. Both have experienced public criticism. Both have responded with poise and power. Both have turned personal trials into platforms for growth. And both are now being celebrated not only for what they do, but for who they are.

In many ways, they’re redefining the term “role model.” They’re not perfect. They don’t try to be. They’re raw, real, and relevant—three traits often sanitized out of female athletes in traditional media portrayals.

Angel Reese and Sha’Carri Richardson are showing young girls—especially young Black girls—that they don’t have to conform to be successful. They don’t have to dim their light to be accepted. They can be exactly who they are and still thrive.

As Reese embarks on her professional basketball career—declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft after another standout college season—expect her star to shine even brighter. She joins a league that is experiencing a renaissance, with increased media coverage, soaring attendance, and cultural relevance.

Sha’Carri, meanwhile, has her eyes on Olympic gold in Paris. With her confidence restored and her training dialed in, she enters the summer as a favorite to not only win, but redefine what greatness looks like in track and field.

Together, they represent a future of sports that is inclusive, expressive, and empowering. One where individuality isn’t a liability, but a superpower.

Too often, the success of female athletes is framed in terms of comparison—to male athletes, to one another, to outdated standards. But Reese and Richardson remind us that we don’t need to compare or dilute. We just need to celebrate.

Complex’s list is an acknowledgment that the world is finally starting to see what fans have known all along: Angel and Sha’Carri are generational forces. Not just because they win—but because they move culture.

So here’s to them. To Angel Reese, the unapologetic champion who dominates the court and the camera. To Sha’Carri Richardson, the fastest woman alive who’s teaching us all how to slow down, reflect, and rise again.