The Jamaican sprinter has revealed her struggles with cyberbullying and colorism following her recent Olympic performance and online backlash.
Noah Lyles' girlfriend Junelle Bromfield has opened up about the hurt and devastation caused by relentless cyberbullying she has faced in recent weeks, stemming from hateful comments and criticisms of her appearance and her connection to American sprinter Noah Lyles.
Bromfield, who represented Jamaica at the Paris Olympic Games in the women's 400m and the mixed 4x400m relay, shared her emotional struggle on social media, revealing how she has been the target of online abuse.
10:25 - 22.08.2024
Noah Lyles rewards girlfriend for Olympics performance despite her poor outing in Paris
Noah Lyles has rewarded his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield with gifts for her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics even though she did not medal.
Much of the negativity has been directed at her physical features, with insults deeply rooted in colorism.
"I grew up hearing that 'Black is not beautiful.' Your hair is dry, your mouth is too big, your forehead is too high. And when you throw all those insults behind you and start walking with confidence, the best compliment you get is 'You're pretty for a Black girl,'" Bromfield wrote in a heartfelt post on Instagram.
Despite her pride in representing her country on the global stage, the Jamaican sprinter found herself under attack not just for her performances, but for her appearance and her relationship with Lyles.
Some of the comments also came after Lyles' interview on the Track World News podcast, where there were suggestions that Bromfield may have shared confidential information about the Jamaican men's track team with Lyles, who competes for the United States.
"I honestly thought we were past colorism in Jamaica, especially as a nation filled with Black people. I've been cyberbullied for weeks, and when I talk about it, I'm told I'm lying because no Jamaican would attack my features," she added.
19:10 - 17.08.2024
'That's why God keeps blessing her'- Noah Lyles pens heartfelt message to girlfriend after recent struggles
Noah Lyles has penned a lengthy message rallying behind his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield following attacks from Jamaicans, as he singled out why God keeps blessing her.
Bromfield’s vulnerability has drawn both sympathy and support from many, but she also highlighted a broader issue of colorism, especially within her home country.
She used her platform to uplift and inspire others, especially young Black girls, urging them to embrace their beauty unapologetically.
"I could go off ranting, but I'm here to tell all the girls and women on my profile that you're beautiful no matter your shade, shape, or size. And to the little Black girls, don’t wait for anyone to tell you you’re beautiful—believe it for yourself," she concluded.
11:04 - 05.08.2024
Noah Lyles’ girlfriend Junelle Bromfield risks wrath of Jamaicans as she chooses love over country
Jamaican fans were seemingly not happy to see Junelle Bromfield wish her boyfriend further success at the Olympics after his dramatic win over Kishane Thompson in the 100m final.
Bromfield’s journey to the Olympics had been a significant achievement, marking her first national team.
She placed third in the first round of the 400m heats with a time of 51.36 seconds, securing a spot in the semifinals as one of the fastest losers.
However, she failed to advance to the final, ending her campaign in the semifinal stage. She also competed in the mixed 4x400m relay, where Jamaica finished fifth.
Since 2022, Bromfield and Lyles have been in a public relationship, with both athletes finding success in their respective events at the Olympics.
Lyles claimed gold in the men’s 100m final and a bronze in the 200m final, while Bromfield gave her best on the world’s largest athletic stage.