Despite media saturation and endorsement deals, Angel Reese fails to crack the Top 10 in fan voting—while Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and overlooked rookies soar past her in a stunning rejection of style over substance.

It was supposed to be her moment.

Angel Reese, the self-proclaimed “face of the WNBA,” entered the 2025 season with a media machine behind her, a brand larger than her box score, and a reputation built as much on headlines as on hardwood performance. But when the WNBA All-Star voting results dropped this week, that carefully constructed image collided headfirst with a brutal dose of reality: Reese didn’t even make the Top 10.

Instead, it was Indiana’s Caitlin Clark who dominated the ballot—earning more than 516,000 votes and becoming the league’s clear fan favorite. Even rookie standouts like Kiki Iriafen and veterans like A’ja Wilson surged past Reese in votes, leaving her in a distant 13th place. For a player with more commercials than consistent jump shots, it was the reckoning fans say has been a long time coming.

From Media Darling to Fan Rejection

For the past two years, fans have watched as Angel Reese appeared everywhere: magazine covers, late-night interviews, podcasts, and even as the face of high-profile ad campaigns. The media hailed her as the engine behind the WNBA’s rising popularity. Forbes ran features declaring her the league’s “cultural catalyst.” Some TV analysts even went so far as to claim that Reese—more than Caitlin Clark—was the reason women’s basketball was growing.

But in gymnasiums and living rooms across the country, actual fans saw something else: missed layups, a sub-31% field goal percentage, and a player who seemed more concerned with being viral than being valuable on the court.

“Angel Reese is everywhere,” one fan posted online, “except the box score.”

And in this league, stats matter.

Fans Know the Game—and They Voted That Way

The WNBA All-Star vote is split 50% fans, 25% players, and 25% media. That means fans have the loudest voice—and they used it.

Reese’s 173,000 votes weren’t even close to Clark’s total. But perhaps more damning was who beat her. Kiki Iriafen, a rookie who’s been quietly averaging a double-double with efficient scoring, pulled in over 213,000 votes. Lexie Hull, a low-key contributor with no media machine behind her, passed Reese too. Even players with far smaller social followings outpaced the self-anointed “Bayou Barbie.”

The message from fans was clear: charisma isn’t enough. You have to deliver.

Clark, meanwhile, didn’t ask for a crown—she earned it. She’s been the one breaking attendance records, hitting logo threes, and commanding national viewership without controversy or chest-pounding soundbites. She’s the only player in WNBA history to trend for her gameplay more than her press conference quotes.

Reese’s Disconnect: Persona vs. Production

While Clark built a résumé, Reese built a reputation. And the gap between the two is widening.

Her supporters point to her rebounding numbers, which are indeed impressive—she leads the league with 12 per game. But critics say many are “mebounds”—grabs off her own misses. More telling, perhaps, is that she’s shooting just 30.9% from the field as a post player, a position traditionally known for high-efficiency scoring.

Even her so-called “moment” against Caitlin Clark’s Fever—when Clark sat out—ended in disaster. Reese managed just four points. For a player marketed as the league’s centerpiece, that simply wasn’t good enough.

“She’s got hustle, sure,” said one analyst. “But the league doesn’t vote for hustle. It votes for impact.”

The Limits of Manufactured Stardom

Reese’s fall from All-Star grace signals something bigger: fans are rejecting manufactured stardom. They’re no longer satisfied with narratives pushed by media companies and sponsorship deals. They want proof—on the court.

And when that proof wasn’t there, they turned away.

Some insiders still believe Reese will make the All-Star team via media or player votes. But even if she does, the damage is done. Her status as the league’s fan favorite has been thoroughly debunked.

The WNBA has long wanted to elevate its stars. But as this vote shows, fans are the final editors of that story. And in 2025, they’re choosing game over gimmick, consistency over clout.

Caitlin Clark is redefining what it means to be a star. Angel Reese, for now, is being reminded that in this league, no amount of noise can drown out the silence that comes when fans stop cheering.

Angel Reese may still lead Instagram. But Caitlin Clark is leading the W.