You’ve probably seen the name Gabriella Zuniga—sometimes spelled Gabriela Zuniga—popping up all over your social media feeds lately. One day she’s an influencer posting sun-drenched selfies from Los Angeles, and the next, she’s the central figure in a legal firestorm involving an NFL legend. It's a lot to keep track of. Honestly, the internet has a habit of turning people into characters in a drama before we even know who they actually are.
So, who is she? Basically, she’s a 22-year-old content creator who became a household name not just for her digital presence, but for a high-profile $50 million legal battle that shook the sports media world.
The Digital Rise of "Karli"
Long before the courtrooms and the headlines, Gabriella was building a fairly standard, albeit successful, life as an influencer. Born on December 15, 2002, she started her Instagram journey in the summer of 2023. Her first post? A simple selfie in LA. People liked her vibe. She’s a Sagittarius, and if you follow astrology, that explains the travel photos and the "tell it like it is" energy she often projected.
By early 2025, she had amassed nearly half a million followers. She often went by the nickname "Karli" online, sharing fitness routines and glimpses of her life in the influencer circles of Southern California. She worked as a fitness model and spent a lot of time in West Hollywood gyms. That’s actually where her life took a sharp turn.
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The Shannon Sharpe Legal Saga
In April 2025, everything changed. A lawsuit was filed against Shannon Sharpe—the Hall of Fame tight end and massive media personality from Club Shay Shay and First Take. At first, the woman behind the suit was just "Jane Doe." But the internet doesn't let things stay anonymous for long.
TikTok detectives and gossip outlets started connecting dots. They found old posts, screenshots of DMs, and videos that suggested Gabriella was the one behind the allegations. Eventually, the connection was confirmed. The lawsuit was heavy. It sought $50 million in damages, alleging sexual assault and emotional abuse during what both sides eventually described as a "consensual but tumultuous" relationship.
It was messy. Sharpe vehemently denied the claims, calling them a play for a payout. The media went wild. For months, it was the biggest story in sports entertainment, leading to massive speculation about Sharpe's future at ESPN.
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The Settlement and the "Retirement"
Then, just as quickly as it escalated, it ended. In July 2025, high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee announced that a resolution had been reached. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can't be refiled. While the exact dollar amount is locked away in a confidential agreement, rumors of a massive payout—potentially exceeding $10 million—swirled almost immediately.
What happened next was even more surprising. Within 24 hours of the settlement, Gabriella Zuniga announced she was retiring from OnlyFans and stepping back from social media.
“This community has given me a life I could have never imagined,” she wrote in a farewell post. “I’m truly excited for this next chapter.”
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Sorting Through the Identities
It's important to keep the facts straight because there are other prominent women with similar names. You shouldn't confuse the influencer with:
- Dr. Gabriela Zuniga: A medical professional and head of Medical Affairs for the Americas at Bayer Consumer Health. She’s an expert on everyday wellness and health habits.
- Gabby Zuniga: A Toronto-based DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) leader and adjunct professor at Queen’s University.
- Daphne Zuniga: The veteran actress known for Melrose Place and Spaceballs who is also a major environmental activist.
The Gabriella Zuniga currently trending is specifically the young content creator involved in the Sharpe case.
What’s Next for Gabriella?
Right now, she's mostly gone quiet. Her main Instagram accounts have been deactivated or set to private. When someone settles a case for millions and "retires" at 22, they usually value their privacy for a while. She hinted at "new projects" in her farewell message, but she hasn't clarified if that means a move into traditional entertainment or a life away from the camera entirely.
If you’re following this story, the best thing to do is keep an eye on verified news sources rather than the "leaks" on TikTok. The legal chapter is closed, and for now, Gabriella seems content to let the dust settle on her viral fame.
Next steps to stay informed:
- Check official legal filings if you're looking for specific case details, as social media summaries often skip the nuance.
- Follow verified entertainment news outlets for any official announcements regarding her "next chapter" projects.
- Verify the middle initial or professional title of any "Gabriela Zuniga" you find online to ensure you're looking at the right person.