Leanna Lenee, the fiancée of football star Travis Hunter, has spoken out about the online hate she received following a viral moment at the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
On Monday (Dec. 16), Lenee posted a heartfelt TikTok video addressing the backlash after a clip of her reaction to Hunter’s Heisman win went viral. In the video, many viewers noticed that Lenee didn’t seem as excited as Hunter’s family when he was announced as the winner, and at one point, Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders appeared to encourage her to stand and congratulate him.
However, Lenee clarified that this interpretation of the situation was misleading. “When his name was called, I immediately got up. If you watch the video, you’ll see that Travis’ mom didn’t get up, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should stay seated,'” she explained in a seven-minute video. “When I saw Travis stand up, I thought, ‘Okay, now it’s time for me to stand up and congratulate him.’ But there was a camera right in front of Coach Prime, and I knew they’d capture that moment. So, I decided to stay seated to avoid being in the shot.”
Lenee emphasized that her decision was made out of respect for the moment, not because anyone told her to stay seated. “I wanted the moment to be about him and his family,” she said. “I was crying because I was so proud and happy for him. I just wanted to let him have that spotlight.”
Hunter, who was clearly upset by the online criticism, defended Lenee during a Twitch stream the same day. “She cried herself to sleep last night,” he said, expressing his frustration with the negativity directed at her. “Why are y’all talking about my girl? Go find a life. Go talk about your own girl. Stop worrying about mine.”
Hunter also expressed how deeply connected he feels to Lenee, adding, “If she’s hurting, I’m hurting. We’re inseparable. She’s still asleep right now, and she’s exhausted from all the hate. People need to leave us alone and focus on their own lives.”
The couple’s fans rallied behind them, but the incident highlights the pressure public figures face when their personal moments are scrutinized by online communities. For Lenee, the emotional toll has been significant, but with Hunter by her side, they continue to face the challenges together.
Cover Photo: Travis Hunter/Instagram
