When people become famous, they prefer to be recognized for their hard work, drive or talent. But back in , when she was just 17 years old, Allison Stokke became a viral phenomenon overnight. The controversy surrounding Stokke broke the internet — before breaking the internet was even a thing. Her older brother, David, was a national youth level gymnast. However, she eventually came to realize gymnastics was not her true passion. Instead, she found her passion in pole vaulting. But to her horror, the attention she eventually attracted would jeopardize her entire career and change her life forever.

As an independent student newspaper and the paper of record for the city of Berkeley, the Daily Cal has been communicating important updates during this pandemic. Your support is essential to maintaining this coverage. It was already known that she was an exceptional pole vaulter — she had broken the American record for a high school freshman and for a high school sophomore. But as she sat second in the national rankings her senior year, fame hit her from outside of the pole vaulting community.

But, what happens when you become famous for something you have no control over? When Allison Stokke was only 17 years old, this was her reality. Her life and athletic career spiraled out of control when a photo made her a viral sensation overnight. The California native, Allison Stokke, was raised in a sporty household.