Angel Reese’s BRAND is COLLAPSING After Shoe Launch “Trap Queen” Flop — Is the Hype Over?

Angel Reese has built her name and brand on confidence, flair, and unapologetic self-presentation. The 2023 NCAA champion and WNBA rookie has commanded viral social media moments—not just for her game, but for her bold, “Bayou Barbie” persona. From her iconic ring celebration after LSU’s championship win to her headline-grabbing NIL deals, Reese appeared untouchable—a new queen of the age of athlete-influencers.

But less than a year into her pro career, cracks are showing. Weeks after launching her signature “Reese 1” sneaker with Reebok—the so-called “Trap Queen” edition—the buzz has deflated, and sales are lagging. Whispers of “overexposed,” “all hype, no substance,” and “brand fatigue” are swirling. Once vaunted as a role model for young women in sports, some are now openly questioning whether Angel Reese’s meteoric rise has fizzled before it even truly began.

So, what happened? Is Angel Reese’s empire already crumbling—or is this just another blip on the bumpy road of superstardom?

The Meteoric Rise: From LSU Sensation to Boardroom Boss

Angel Reese burst onto the national stage with LSU’s 2023 NCAA championship run. Her 15 double-doubles and fiery on-court persona made her a media darling—but it was her embrace of her own style and authenticity that set her apart. Whether sporting long lashes, flashy jewelry, or trading trash talk with opponents, she embodied a new vision for women’s sports: powerful, marketable, and willing to shatter the old-school “just play the game” ethos.

Brands loved her. Reese inked lucrative NIL deals—some estimates say over $1 million before her pro debut. She was everywhere: on podcasts, magazine covers, and the Met Gala, often hailed as “Trap Queen” for bringing unapologetic Black womanhood into the sports mainstream.

When she declared for the WNBA draft in 2024 and signed with Reebok—a brand trying to reinvent itself by tapping rising women athletes—it seemed like a perfect fit. “The Reese 1” sneaker was pitched as the next must-have cultural crossover, meant to blend on-court performance with streetwear style. Social media lit up with the drop’s teaser images; celebrity endorsements poured in.

The Trap Queen Sneaker Goes Flat

But when “Trap Queen” Reese 1 finally dropped, the hype sputtered. Sales figures haven’t been officially released, but industry analysts and sneaker blogs quickly noted the tell-tale signs of a flop: full-size runs sitting untouched online, discount codes offered within days, and a muted reaction across sneakerhead influencers.

What went wrong? Several factors may have contributed:

1. Overexposure and Misaligned Hype: Reese’s image had dominated sports and pop culture headlines for months. By the time the shoe dropped, some of that initial excitement had simply worn off. What felt fresh before began to seem forced.
2. Shoe Design Critiques: Reviews of the Reese 1 were mixed. Some praised the bold colors and details but criticized the silhouette as “generic” and questioned its performance credibility. Among sneakerheads, there was skepticism about Reebok’s comeback and the authenticity of the collab.
3. WNBA Reality Check: The jump from college phenom to professional athlete isn’t always smooth. Reese’s WNBA rookie season started solid, but not spectacular. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark—her former NCAA rival—was breaking TV records with every game, soaking up much of the attention Reese once commanded.
4. Brand Fatigue: Brands that rise too fast often fall hard. Experts point to the “oversaturation” of Reese-branded products and partnerships. When everyone is selling Angel Reese, the uniqueness can get diluted, and audiences start to tune out.

The Court of Public Opinion: “Trap Queen” No More?

The reaction on social media has been brutal in places. Critics have pounced on the sneaker flop as a sign Reese is “just hype.” Detractors claim she leaned too hard into self-promotion and not enough into developing her pro game. Even some previous supporters muttered about her “doing too much” off the court.

But that’s only half the story. Others argue the backlash is rooted in unfair expectations—or even coded racism and sexism. After all, male athletes are rarely written off after a single product flop or slow start. Reese herself has addressed the pressure, reminding fans and media alike of her resilience: “I’ve been doubted before. That just means I’m going harder,” she tweeted in response to shoe launch criticism.

Brand Collapse? Or the Tough Reality of Building an Empire?

So, is Angel Reese’s brand actually “collapsing”? It’s too early (and too reductionist) for that. The biggest athletes and entertainers often hit bumps in the road: LeBron’s first signature shoe wasn’t beloved, and everyone doubted Beyoncé’s fashion line at the start. The difference between a meteoric rise and lasting stardom is how you weather inevitable setbacks.

But the moment is a reality check. Managerial missteps—like relying on surface-level hype or launching a shoe before establishing WNBA dominance—can have consequences. Reese’s team will need to recalibrate: double down on on-court improvement, get selective about partnerships, and remind fans why her story matters beyond social media soundbites.

The Road Ahead: Can the Queen Reclaim Her Crown?

Angel Reese still represents an inspiring shift in women’s sports: athletes controlling their images and futures, smashing narrow stereotypes, and building generational wealth. Her voice is needed in the game, especially for the next wave of Black girls who finally see themselves at the center.

But the lesson of the “Trap Queen” sneaker flop is clear—hype is fleeting, but substance endures. Reese faces a crossroads: Will she evolve her brand with authenticity and focus, or become just another cautionary tale of overnight celebrity?

Count her out at your own peril. History’s greatest “queens,” after all, know how to stage the perfect comeback.