Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee isn’t letting the critics get her down. The 22-year-old gymnast made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut on Oct. 15, and while the experience was a dream come true, it also came with some unexpected online negativity.

After walking the runway alongside WNBA star Angel Reese and iconic models like Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima, Lee took to TikTok to address the backlash she’s received since the event. Posting a short video on Oct. 18 of herself lip-syncing to Ariana Grande’s “Successful,” she captioned it, “Can u guys stop bullying me.”

Fans quickly flooded the comments to defend her, calling out the unfair criticism—especially those targeting her height. One supportive commenter wrote, “Girl I got your back. Why are people bullying you because of your height, like u can’t control that bro.”

Lee, who stands 5′0″, replied simply but powerfully: “Like, literally.”

She also liked several messages that celebrated her big moment, including one that said, “You were on the runway and they were mad and at HOME.” Lee later added her own heartfelt comment: “i love yall ?? my girls ??.”

Despite the criticism, Lee is proud of stepping out of her comfort zone. In an interview with Marie Claire ahead of the show, she shared how meaningful it was to represent women who look like her. “Stepping into something like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show felt like a dream outside of my comfort zone,” she said. “But that’s exactly why I said yes.”

She went on to explain, “Growing up, I didn’t see many girls who looked like me in spaces like this. To now be here as an athlete, as someone who’s worked so hard to achieve her dreams, it feels powerful. I want young girls to know they don’t have to fit into just one box. You can chase Olympic gold and still own your femininity.”

Lee strutted down the runway in the Victoria’s Secret Pink section wearing a hot-pink sports bra, micro shorts, and glittery slingback heels. The segment also featured models Barbie Ferreira, Iris Law, and Lila Moss, with a live performance by K-Pop group TWICE.

The gymnast said the experience was both thrilling and transformative. “This is the first time I’ve really taken a break from gymnastics, so diving into something other than that has been really, really different. But, also, probably the best experience of my life,” she shared in a previous interview.

While the comments section may have had its share of negativity, Lee’s confidence and grace under pressure continue to shine. She’s not only proving that strength and beauty can coexist but also reminding young women everywhere that their worth isn’t defined by the opinions of others.

As she put it best: she’s “successful”—and no amount of online bullying can change that.