The World of WAGs: From Victoria to Taylor
The phenomenon of couples formed by elite athletes and celebrities is nothing new — dating back to the first and probably most famous athlete x celebrity relationship of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. However, the era of social media has changed the role that these women and girlfriends (WAGs) often play, who beyond being companions, have become famous figures in their own right in the digital world. Their ability to attract attention and captivate audiences has led brands to recognize the immense potential of these couples as ambassadors. In many instances, some WAGs have a larger, more prominent following than their superstar athlete partners.
We put together a list of some popular WAGs who have created their own popularity, fan base, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Brands realize the marketing potential many of these women have to create genuine connections with consumers.
Taylor Swift
We couldn’t not lead with the most popular WAG of the moment. The romance between Taylor Swift and NFL superstar Travis Kelce has captured the global attention, making the 12-time Grammy Award-winning artist the hottest WAG around the NFL and all of sports. The concept of being an athlete’s partner has often been associated with the idea of remaining in the shadows, but Taylor and many others have challenged this perception by driving their own successes.
From the moment the press began to talk about a romantic relationship between the Kansas City Chiefs tight end and the singer, Kelce’s social media and those of the NFL saw an enormous surge in following and performance. But this story (of love, of course) is just one more chapter in the fairy tale of how elite athletes cross paths with celebrities.
Victoria Beckham
Let’s teleport to the year 1997, when the radios played the rhythm of “Wannabe,” and on the streets every man aspired to wear a Beckham-style hairstyle. The relationship that best symbolizes the fusion between sports and pop culture, without a doubt, is that of the Beckhams: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham. The Manchester United and Real Madrid player (among others) and the member of one of the most important musical groups of past few decades, Spice Girls, took the sports and entertainment worlds by storm. Today, they have emerged as one of the strongest couples in the industry, showing that when love triumphs, so does fame and fortune.
After leaving her time with Spice Girls in the past, Victoria has emerged as a renowned fashion designer, presenting her most recent collection in Paris a few days ago. But she is not the only member of this iconic group from the 90s who has linked her life to the world of sport through her partner. Geri Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice, is married to Christian Horner, CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull.
Victoria has more than 30 million followers on Instagram, but it’s fun to think what her fanbase would have looked liked had there been social media back in the 1990s and early 2000s — the height of the Spice Girls. We’re pretty sure Victoria Beckham would have swept the world in terms of engagement and followers seeing how she continues to shine 25 years after her rise to fame.
Olivia Culpo
Like Taylor Swift, this model, actress, influencer, and former Miss Universe has found love in the NFL with Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers (she also famously dated retired NFL player Danny Amendola). Culpo has a show on HBO with her two sisters Aurora and Sophia entitled “The Culpo Sisters,” and with her 5.3 million followers she shares not only her work as a model, but also her support for McCaffrey by providing exposure to the NFL and her fiancé’s team.
Alix Earle
Alix Earle has become the queen of the ‘Get ready with me’ and the partner of Miami Dolphins Braxton Berrios. Alix has shared several videos on TikTok, where she has 5.9 million followers, attending Dolphins games. Alix’s presence at games, her fashion-forward customization of Berrois’ jersey, and how she brings the spirit of TikTok content to the world of football has have earned her millions of views.
When the Miami wide receiver posted a series of images on his Instagram account with Alix, her presence on Berrios’ instagram catapulted his engagement to 332,000 — while his 2023 average engagement per post is 30,307.
Antonela Roccuzzo
In the near future, it would not be surprising to find a documentary titled “Leo and Anto: A Love Story” on a platform like Netflix. Because, when talking about fairy tales, the story of these Argentinians meets all the necessary elements: Leo Messi and Antolena Roccuzzo have known each other since childhood and have been together since 2007.
The model and influencer shares her daily life with her more than 37 million followers. Now living in Miami, Antonela shares family images, trips, and also promotes some brands that have had her as an ambassador. WAGs are no longer women who accompany athletes; they have become a coveted target for brands to connect with an audience that craves an equal dose of sport and entertainment. It also helps that her husband is the most famous athlete in the world!
Antonela collaborates with tech brand CASETiFy to promote tech gadgets for women’s. As part of her mission to ensure all children everywhere have access to a safe, fair future, 100% of proceeds go to Equality Now, a non-profit that works to promote and protect the rights of girls around the world.
Georgina Rodriguez
In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo met a young saleswoman at the Gucci store in Madrid, and the rest is history. Because, believe me, there are people who know Georgina Rodríguez better than Cristiano Ronaldo, winner of the Ballon d’Or, Champions League titles, and a European Championship.
Georgina has more than 52.2 million followers on her Instagram profile and a series on Netflix ‘Yo soy Georgina.’
Undoubtedly, among many of Georgina’s followers, some are fans of Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the central theme of Georgina’s account is her own lifestyle as an influencer, she does not hesitate to occasionally share moments with her partner, whether in her daily life or when she visits a stadium to watch a match.
These WAGs have redefined the role of elite sports couples in the age of social media. Not only have they proven to be leading ladies in their own right, but they have also become a powerful example of bringing the world of sports to a wider and more diverse audience. With millions of followers, television shows, successful companies and careers, and a presence on streaming platforms, these women have emerged as personalities who fuse sports and pop culture in a unique way. Their impact is undeniable, and their ability to connect with audiences interested in sports and entertainment is a testament to the evolution of social media.
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