Boxing champion Claressa Shields, 30, has responded to online hate after 50 Cent posted a throwback pic of her on Instagram.
In the pic, Shields, who was reportedly 17 at the time, was young, fresh-faced and her skin was glowing, but critics quickly tore her appearance apart…but the champ says that nothing can make her feel bad about her looks.
Please…. Y’all wanna run with the ugly narrative so bad! I was 17 years old fighting for my entire country and had a OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL AROUND MY NECK! Of course I glowed up! And I’m going to always be focused No matter what! LIKE ALWAYS! https://t.co/qat7L7gEFf pic.twitter.com/mqmeI9khVP
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) January 5, 2026
“Please…. Y’all wanna run with the ugly narrative so bad! I was 17 years old fighting for my entire country and had a OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL AROUND MY NECK!” she wrote sharing a more recent pic of herself. “Of course I glowed up! And I’m going to always be focused No matter what! LIKE ALWAYS!”
In a separate tweet, she wrote, “Boy Y’all hate everything about blackness, being black, black women, black support, black unity, black noses, black a–es [peach emoji] . It’s really sad. I’m never joining the hate train of my own people. I didn’t wear a full face of makeup til i was 24 years old. Still Beautiful & Blessed.”
Boy Y’all hate everything about blackness, being black, black women, black support, black unity, black noses, black asses . It’s really sad. I’m never joining the hate train of my own people. I didn’t wear a full face of makeup til i was 24 years old. Still Beautiful & Blessed
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) January 5, 2026
Shields has faced increased scrutiny since her relationship with rapper Papoose, who is still legally married to Remy Ma. Shields says she and Papoose plan to start a family together this year.
