Co-host Joy Taylor backed her up and took a stand to haters online

Taylor Rooks attended the GQ Global Creativity Awards and created a fuzz online with her outfitPhoto by Evan Agostini/Invision/APLAPRESSE

In the ever-evolving landscape of sports media, few voices are as compelling and refreshing as Taylor Rooksand Joy Taylor. The duo, who launched their new podcast earlier this year, recently found themselves at the center of a viral controversy-a so-called “wardrobe malfunction” involving Rooks, which, as it turned out, was much ado about nothing.

Reacting to the viral buzz, Rooks was quick to clarify the situation on social media, dispelling rumors and addressing the backlash with poise and defiance. “I saw somebody say, ‘I can’t believe she’s showing her breasts, I thought she was classy,'” Rooks recounted. She responded firmly, “Number one, you are incorrect: you haven’t seen them and you won’t ever. But number two, how interesting and confining it is that if a woman did decide to take a fashion risk and bare that, that she would automatically and immediately go from being what you consider classy to just not being classy off of one personal choice on one night.”

This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the scrutiny and expectations placed on women in the public eye, particularly in sports media. Rooks didn’t hold back in her critique of the societal double standards, describing the prevailing attitudes as “a very fickle, dense, and lazy idea that we have of women and how much power we give their bodies, that we believe the choices that women make symbolize something about them, as opposed to that just being what they wanted to do that day.“

Rooks and Taylor shake up sports media

Rooks’ and Taylor’s approach to handling this viral moment has not only showcased their resilience but also highlighted their commitment to challenging outdated norms and sparking dialogue about the portrayal of women in media. Their podcast, which has already begun to make waves, promises to be a platform for insightful, candid discussions on a range of topics that both challenge and engage their growing audience.

As Rooks and Taylor continue to rise in the sports media world, they bring with them a fresh perspective and a fearless willingness to address and dissect the complex issues facing women in the spotlight today. Their voices are not only necessary but vital in the ongoing dialogue about equality, respect, and representation in sports and beyond.