The meteoric rise of Angel Reese, once hailed as the “Bayou Barbie” and one of women’s basketball’s brightest stars, appears to be crashing back to earth in spectacular fashion. Just months after basking in the spotlight with massive endorsement deals, viral fame, and a highly publicized WNBA debut, new reports suggest Reese is facing a stunning downward spiral — with her podcast failing to gain traction, major sponsors quietly backing away, and insiders warning that her finances are in serious trouble.

For much of the past two years, Angel Reese was on top of the world. After leading LSU to a national championship and becoming one of the most recognizable names in college sports, she entered the WNBA with sky-high expectations. Off the court, she was celebrated as a cultural icon — landing lucrative sponsorships, gracing magazine covers, and launching her own podcast aimed at giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at her life.

But the dream has soured faster than anyone could have predicted. The podcast, which was supposed to be Reese’s flagship off-court project, has reportedly failed to deliver. Despite heavy promotion on social media and high-profile guests, viewership numbers have plummeted. Episodes that once drew hundreds of thousands of views now struggle to crack even a fraction of that. Sources close to the production say advertisers have begun pulling out, citing disappointing engagement and lack of growth.

“It started strong, but the momentum just died,” one industry insider told reporters. “There was a lot of hype around Angel Reese, but hype alone doesn’t sustain a media brand. The audience didn’t stick around, and now sponsors are leaving.”

Worse yet, the financial consequences of those failures are beginning to hit hard. Multiple outlets report that Reese, who was once earning six and seven-figure sums from endorsements, is seeing that income shrink rapidly. Brands that once clamored to work with her are reportedly reconsidering partnerships amid concerns over her public image and declining relevance. “It’s a classic case of too much, too soon,” another source explained. “When the spotlight fades, you find out who’s really built for longevity — and right now, Angel is struggling.”

Reese’s on-court struggles have only added fuel to the fire. Her rookie season was marred by inconsistency, limited minutes, and clashes with coaches. Critics have accused her of focusing more on fame than fundamentals, and her sometimes combative social media presence has alienated segments of the fan base. What was once celebrated as confidence is now being labeled arrogance, and the backlash is growing louder.

“She came into the league acting like she was already a superstar,” one veteran WNBA player said anonymously. “But the truth is, this league humbles you. You have to earn everything here. And if your game isn’t backing up your talk, people stop listening.”

The most damaging blow may be the shifting public perception of Reese herself. Once adored for her swagger and unapologetic personality, she is now facing criticism for what some see as a refusal to take accountability. Controversial statements on her podcast and social media missteps have sparked debates that overshadow her accomplishments. Fans who once celebrated her authenticity are now questioning her maturity.

“I was a huge Angel Reese fan,” one former supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “But lately, it feels like she’s more interested in being an influencer than a basketball player. It’s disappointing.”

Even her much-touted nickname, “Bayou Barbie,” which once symbolized her boldness and individuality, is now being mocked online as her influence wanes. Memes and parody accounts have surfaced, poking fun at her podcast’s low viewership and suggesting she’s more focused on sponsorship deals than success on the court.

Financial experts warn that if Reese’s trajectory doesn’t change soon, she could face serious consequences. While college NIL deals made her one of the highest-earning athletes of her generation, her WNBA salary is modest by comparison — and without steady sponsorship income, the lifestyle she built could become unsustainable. “It’s a precarious situation,” said sports finance analyst James Holloway. “If the brand deals disappear and the media ventures fail, that revenue gap becomes massive. And without strong performance on the court, rebuilding that income becomes exponentially harder.”

Those close to Reese insist that she’s aware of the situation and determined to turn things around. One source described her as “laser-focused” on silencing her critics and rebuilding her brand. “She knows she’s taken some hits, but Angel is a fighter,” the source said. “She’s working harder than ever — on the court and behind the scenes — to prove people wrong.”

Still, the road ahead is steep. The WNBA is fiercely competitive, and public opinion can be unforgiving. To revive her podcast and reclaim her marketability, Reese will need not just a shift in strategy, but a renewed commitment to the fundamentals that made her a star in the first place. That means better performance, less controversy, and a focus on substance over spectacle.

Some analysts believe there’s still hope for a comeback — but the clock is ticking. “Angel Reese still has star power, but she’s at a crossroads,” said ESPN commentator Rebecca Lobo. “She can either double down on the distractions that got her here, or she can reset, focus on her game, and prove that she belongs among the league’s elite. If she does that, the fans — and the sponsors — will come back.”

Even Caitlin Clark, with whom Reese has shared one of the most talked-about rivalries in recent college basketball history, has weighed in on the importance of staying grounded. In a recent interview, Clark emphasized the need for players to “let the game speak first” before chasing off-court ventures. Though she didn’t mention Reese by name, many saw it as a thinly veiled piece of advice to her former opponent.

The question now is whether Angel Reese will heed that advice — or whether her story will become a cautionary tale of a star who flew too close to the sun. For now, the numbers don’t lie: the podcast is floundering, the sponsorships are drying up, and the buzz that once surrounded her every move has gone eerily quiet.

For a player who once seemed destined to become the face of women’s basketball, the fall has been swift and brutal. But it’s not over yet. Angel Reese has defied doubters before, and if she can rediscover the fire and focus that made her a champion, she may still write the next chapter of her story on her own terms.

The next few months will be pivotal — not just for Reese’s career, but for her entire brand. And one thing is certain: the basketball world will be watching closely to see whether the “Bayou Barbie” can rise from rock bottom… or if this is where the story ends.