Let’s be real. Millions of people tuned into Netflix on that Friday night in November to see if 58-year-old Mike Tyson still had the "baddest man on the planet" energy or if Jake Paul would actually knock out a legend. But by the time the final bell rang in Arlington, the conversation wasn't about the lackluster unanimous decision.
People weren't talking about Tyson’s leaden feet or Paul’s cautious jabs. They were frantically searching for the mike tyson jake paul ring girl who seemed to steal every frame of the broadcast.
Her name is Sydney Thomas. And if you feel like she popped up out of thin air, you’re basically right. One minute she’s a college student at the University of Alabama, and the next, she’s the face of the most-streamed sporting event in history. It’s one of those rare "overnight celebrity" moments that actually lives up to the hype.
The Breakout Star of AT&T Stadium
While there were actually five women working the ring that night—including veterans like Virginia Sanhouse and Raphaela Milagres—Sydney Thomas was the one the internet latched onto.
It started during the weigh-in. You remember the clip: Mike Tyson, looking terrifyingly intense, suddenly slaps Jake Paul across the face. While the world focused on the drama, a blonde woman in the background caught everyone's eye. That was the spark. By the time the actual fight started, the fire was out of control.
Sydney is only 21 now. At the time of the fight, she was a 20-year-old marketing and business student. Honestly, the most interesting part isn't just that she was there, but how she got there. She didn't have some massive agency pushing her for years. She was discovered on social media by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), Jake Paul’s company. This was only her second time ever stepping into a boxing ring as a ring girl. Her first? Just a month prior at a fight in Puerto Rico.
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Talk about a fast-track career.
Why Sydney Thomas Went Viral (And Others Didn't)
It’s a fair question. Why her? Why not the other four?
- The "Sydney Sweeney" Comparison: A lot of fans on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok started pointing out a resemblance to actress Sydney Sweeney. In the world of viral algorithms, that kind of comparison is like pouring gasoline on a fire.
- The Netflix Effect: This wasn't a standard PPV buy. It was available to anyone with a Netflix subscription. We're talking 108 million global viewers. That is an insane amount of eyeballs.
- The Fight Quality: Let’s call a spade a spade. The fight was, well, kinda boring. When the action in the ring slows down, the cameras start wandering. They found Sydney, and the audience found a reason to keep watching.
She wasn't just a face in the crowd, though. Sydney is actually a cheerleader for the St. Louis Cardinals. She’s used to being in front of big crowds and knows how to handle the "in-game entertainment" side of things. She even handles public speaking and interviews for the Cardinals. So, while she admitted to being a bit overwhelmed by the DMs, she wasn't exactly a deer in the headlights.
The Numbers Don't Lie
The "Tyson-Paul bump" is a real thing. Before the fight, Sydney had a respectable following, but nothing like what happened after. Her Instagram jumped from around 200,000 to over 850,000 in a matter of days. Her TikTok crossed the million-follower mark almost instantly.
She later shared on social media that her DMs were "insanely flooded" with big brands and celebrities reaching out. It's the kind of momentum most influencers spend a decade trying to build, and she did it in eight rounds of boxing.
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Who Were the Other Ring Girls?
It’s easy to focus solely on Sydney because of the viral memes, but the team of mike tyson jake paul ring girl professionals was actually a powerhouse group. If you're wondering who else was holding up those round cards, here is the breakdown:
- Virginia Sanhouse: A Venezuelan model with a massive following of her own (millions on TikTok). She’s a business owner too, running her own fitness and swimwear brands.
- Lexi Williams: A veteran model based in Los Angeles. She’s walked the runway at Miami Swim Week and brought a lot of experience to a night that she admitted made her pretty nervous.
- Delia Sylvain: A Mexican fitness model who had worked with Jake Paul before during his fight against Mike Perry. She’s a brand ambassador for Fashion Nova, which was a recurring theme among the group.
- Raphaela Milagres: The "veteran" of the group. She’s been with Most Valuable Promotions since 2021. She was actually the one who helped the newer girls, like Lexi and Sydney, figure out the ropes that night.
Dealing With the "Dumb Blonde" Stereotype
One of the more refreshing things about Sydney Thomas is how she handled the sudden fame. She didn't just post bikini pics and go quiet. She went on a bit of a "reintroduction" tour.
She's actually a high achiever. She got a 33 on her ACT (which is top-tier, for those who forgot high school testing) and is finishing her degree at the University of Alabama a year early. She’s studying management and entrepreneurship. It’s clear she’s looking at this viral moment as a business opportunity rather than just 15 minutes of fame.
She also opened up about some heavy stuff. She lost her mother to breast cancer about a year before the fight. She’s been very vocal about using her new platform to talk about health, wellness, and resilience. It adds a layer of depth you don't usually see in a viral sports story.
What’s Next for the Tyson-Paul Ring Girls?
So, where do they go from here? For Sydney, the path seems pretty set. She’s already signed with CAA (Creative Artists Agency), one of the biggest talent firms in the world. She’s been spotted on red carpets at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and is working on a long-term partnership with Fashion Nova.
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For the others, the fight was a massive networking event. When you have 100 million people watching, every second you're on screen is worth thousands in marketing value.
The mike tyson jake paul ring girl phenomenon is a perfect example of how modern sports entertainment works. It’s not just about the athletes anymore. It’s about the "second screen" experience—the memes, the social media deep dives, and the breakout personalities that emerge from the background.
How to Follow the Momentum
If you're looking to keep up with Sydney or the rest of the crew, here’s what to look for:
- Watch the MVP Schedule: Most Valuable Promotions usually keeps a consistent roster. You’ll likely see Raphaela and Delia at future Jake Paul events.
- Check the St. Louis Cardinals Games: If it's baseball season, Sydney is often still working on the "hype squad" there.
- Social Media Shifts: Keep an eye on Sydney’s TikTok. She’s pivoted from just "lifestyle" content to more "behind the scenes" of her new career in modeling and hosting.
This wasn't just a fluke. It was a perfectly timed collision of a massive streaming platform, a legendary sports figure, and a young woman who knew exactly how to handle the spotlight when it finally hit her. Whether you thought the fight was a "con" or a "historic event," you can't deny that it changed the lives of those five women forever.
To keep track of the business side of these viral moments, you can follow the official Most Valuable Promotions updates or check out Sydney Thomas’s verified social media channels for her upcoming brand collaborations.