Allison Stokke was just a high school student-athlete whose life turned upside down when she woke up one day. In an instant, Stokke’s face was seen on every website all over the internet, and after 10 years she’s speaking up about the accidental experience that has forever altered her life as she once knew it. Read on to see how Allison’s life changed with the blink of an eye.
A Viral Sensation
When a photo surfaced online of Allison Stokke at age 17 at a pole vaulting completion in New York, her life was flipped upside down. People everywhere were commenting on the photo and posting it on other sites, all without Stokke’s permission. Furthermore, she did not want this attention. Many news companies picked up the story, and in the blink of any eye, Allison Stokke became a viral phenomenon. However she soldiered on, set pole vaulting records, and took on a side job as a model. This is her story – of her unwanted claim to fame, of what she’s accomplished and overcome along the way.
A Viral Sensation
Roll Back
Before we dig in deep, let’s roll back a minute. Born in California, Allison Stokke’s parents are Cindy and Allan who were thrilled their baby girl arrived on March 22nd, 1989. In case you wondered, Allison does an older brother, David, who competed as a gymnastic at a young age. Due to her brother’s influence, Allison tried gymnastics but found that her calling was something else. Little did she know how much that choice would change her life in years to come.
Roll Back
The Start
After Allison tried gymnastics, and found that it didn’t suit her, she found her true calling: pole vaulting. While attending Newport Harbor High School, Allison quickly became one of the country’s best and youngest vaulters. In fact, she won a title in 2004 for the 15-16 age group when she landed a championship record of 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in).
The Start
Allison Stokke, The Record Breaker
From then on, Allison carried on breaking records left and right. For instance, she broke the “American record for a high school freshman” when she vaulted 3.86 m (12 ft 7 3⁄4 in). Then she set a brand new record as a high school sophomore with 4.11 m (13 ft 5 3⁄4 in) back in 2005. Moreover, all of her vaults proved to be the best ever achieved by any American aged 15 and 16.
Allison Stokke The Record Breaker
Michael Jordan
Even though Allison broke her leg, she went on to win at the CIF California State Meet – TWICE. Then during her senior year at high school, she ranked second at the national high school rankings; all thanks to her new best of 4.14 m (13 ft 6 3⁄4 in). Oh, that record of hers is actually double Michael Jordan’s height! At the end of the year, she finished in 8th place at the national junior championships.
Michael Jordan
Where It All Started
So, the photo below is the same one that first put her in the spotlight. It was 2007 and Stokke was competing in New York when the famous photo was captured by a journalist for a Californian track and field website. The journalist added the photos online and bam! May arrived and the photo was re-posted by a sports blog known as ‘With Leather’. This particular blog has a very large male fanbase, who immediately began to remark on Stokke’s attractiveness – she was quite young when this photo was posted. Oh, and the heading the blog chose: “Pole Vaulting is Sexy, Barely Legal”.
Where It All Started
Speedy Gonzales
Naturally, none of the comments on the blog had anything to do with the sport. All of the attention was on Allison Stokke’s appearance and as a 17 year old, it really took a toll. The original photographer threatened to sue Matt Ufford, the owner of With Leather, if he didn’t remove the image. However, it was too late, the blog had already received TONS of attention and was being posted on various other websites.
Speedy Gonzales
Online Fame
Not long after, a tribute website was created to Allison Stokke. Soon enough, the tribute site got hold of serveral images of Stokke competing in the pole vault and uploaded as many as they could. Once those same images spread all over social media, tons of internet fan groups gained thousands of followers. Some of the followers even claimed Stokke was their “internet crush”.
Online Fame
Media Circus
Within a few weeks, Allison’s photos became such an internet phenomenon that many news companies began comment pieces on Allison Stokke. Such as The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.
Media Circus
Worldwide Talk
Oh, if you thought that the news organizations in the United States were the only ones to pick up the story, you’d be wrong. Yup, Allison Stokke was international news. Such as the British broadcast site the BBC, Australian site The Sydney Morning Herald, and even the German site Der Spiegel. Additionally, Stokke’s name was searched more than a million times on search engines.
Worldwide Talk
Solutions
Even as a teen, Stokke recognized and acknowledged her personal situation as a Catch-22. See the attention she was getting hit her like a ton of bricks. Glamour covered her story, offers from Maxim came in, The Today Show wanted her as a guest – however none of it had to do with her athletic achievements. At the end of the day, it all had to do with her looks. Therefore Allison waited for the storm to blow over, that was the best solution for her.
Solutions
Nope.
Despite all the offers, Allison turned down every single one. Which lead people to ask, why? Why not take advantage of the red carpet laid out at your feet? Well, Allison knew that if she did, once she accepted that she is a “beautiful” athlete, that’s all she’d ever be. The media would tear her apart and the world of athletics would never take her seriously.
Nope.
Common Ground
Initially Allison Stokke tried to control the intense situation all by herself but that proved to be more challenging than she anticipated. After getting constantly bombarded with emails and photo shoot requests, Allison knew she needed help. Therefore she hired a media consultant in order to help handle her new found fame.
Common Ground
So Much Attention
Allison Stokke decided to give an interview – but on her pole vaulting technique in an attempt to shift the discussion off of her looks. The interview was uploaded to YouTube and went on to gain over one hundred thousand views! Be that as it may, all of the comments and discussion on the video were focused on Allison’s looks rather than her skill.
So Much Attention
Stepping In
That’s when Allan, Allison’s father, stepped in. Allan is a lawyer who took it upon himself to review all of the online material about his daughter. His mission? To identify any and all illegal behavior or stalkers toward Allison. Stokke reflected on her situation to The Washington Post, “Even if none of it is illegal, it just all feels really demeaning. I worked so hard for pole vaulting and all this other stuff, and it’s almost like that doesn’t matter. Nobody sees that. Nobody really sees me.”
Stepping In
Highlighting the Situation
So CBS stepped in and used Allison’s story in order to highlight all of the dangers that the internet can bring when it comes to publicly sexualizing people, young people in particular. With, or without, that individual’s permission. Der Spiegel, the German site we mentioned, also noted that Allison Stokke had turned into a “sex symbol against her will”.
Highlighting The Situation
Paranoia
All of the attention that Allison was getting really began to affect her psychologically. In fact, she said that she actually found all of the eyeballing (or any longing look) “creepy and a little scary”. Additionally, because of all the intense attention, Allison even was careful to lock doors behind and double check they were in fact locked.
Paranoia
The Battle Ahead
It became clear to Allison that she had a long battle ahead. Slowly it dawned on her that not everyone was going to focus on her athleticism, but rather that her looks would continue to overshadow her success. As a result, the name Allison Stokke was searched on online platforms over one million times. And unfortunately, more websites continued to report on just her appearance and not her skill as a pole vaulter.
The Battle Ahead
College Life
Numerous photographers had began to attend all of the track and field competitions that Allison was a part of. Therefore her online fame continued. However, Stokke brushed it all off and continued to focus on her life. She studied hard and earned an athletic scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley to study sociology.
College Life
Record After Record
During her first year with the California Golden Bears, she participated in plenty of competitions. Specifically for the collegiate track team – where she would go on to break the school record for a freshman athlete! But, get this, for both indoors and outdoors! She reached a vault of 4.11 m (13 ft 5 3⁄4 in).
Record After Record
Meets
That season, Stokke was a competitor at the Pac-10 Conference and also the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regional meets. Again, “fans” showed up to cheer her on while others set themselves up strategically to take photos in particular angles. All of which bothered Stokke but she noticed that was becoming just another part of her life.
Meets
Year Two
During her second year, her pole vaulting coach was Scott Slover, a former 5-time All-American at UCLA. Slover taught Stokke well as she went on to finish 8th at the Pac-10 Championships and 7th at the MPSF Indoor Championships. Plus she got her debut at the NCAA Women’s Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where she ranked 19th through her best effort of 3.90 m (12 ft 9 1⁄2 in). She was really proud of herself but that just meant more photos for her “fans” to ogle.
Year Two
Year Three
Year three at Berkeley saw Stokke receive conference all-academic honors at the Pac-10 and MPSF level. Morover she got an honorable academic mention by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. By now, Stokke was growing accustomed to the fans she brought in and the attention received on and off the field. Many more websites began posting pictures of her, updating “fans” of her progress – but really, it was just another place for her “fans” to discuss her looks.
Year Three
Carry On
When her last year of collegiate vaulting came around, Stokke did not improve her best. Therefore she came 8hth at the Pac-10 Championships and missed the qualification for the NCAA Championships by just two places at regionals. However her “fans” didn’t really take notice of her times or where she placed, the comments on various fanpages only talked about Stokke’s looks and nothing more.
Carry On
School Life
The attention that Allison was receiving was so overwhelming that it’s almost like she didn’t exist from 2009 and 2014. “At that point, I wasn’t the best vaulter in the country, so why should I be getting that much attention?” she says. “It cut the other way, too, though. I think at some point Cal just decided: ‘Don’t put anything up about her.’ So even if I jumped high or won a meet, they wouldn’t put up a picture or article, and that’s actually the kind of recognition I would have liked to see.”
School Life
No Mention
“It cut the other way, too, though. I think at some point Cal just decided: ‘Don’t put anything up about her.’ So even if I jumped high or won a meet, they wouldn’t put up a picture or article, and that’s actually the kind of recognition I would have liked to see.” Wow, we can’t even imagine how hard that would be! All her accomplishments just kept quiet.
No Mention
Speak Now
Now the Los Angeles Times were not the only ones to speak up on Allison’s belief. All of the news organizations mentioned that Stokke did not at any time seek or endorse such attention. Brett Hutchins and David Rowe wrote in their book Technology, Power and Culture in the Network Society that Stokke’s predicament was similar to that of American soccer players Alex Morgan and Hope Solo. Yes, another case of attractive white female athletes who had their public image sexualized and whose sporting achievements were undermined.
Speak Now
The Story
Brett Hutchins and David Rowe also used material in relation to Allison Stokke, highlighting as well that social media comments frequently insulted in nature and “blamed the sexualization process on the women themselves”. Other reporters compared Stokke to Brandi Chastain’s celebration when winning the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in her sports bra, to when women in certain sporting moments are overshadowed by talk of their appearance.
The Story
Olympic Goals
After Allison completed her degree, she carried on with competitions in the pole vault. Although Stokke did not rank as high as other American athletes. In an attempt to “overcome that photo”, Allison set her sights on the Olympics. Stokke reached a NEW lifetime best of 4.36 m (14 ft 3 1⁄2 in) in the 2012 season. Her aim to make it to the 2012 London Olympics were in grasp.
Olympic Goals
Missed The Cut
Despite her best efforts, Allison did not perform well during the 2012 United States Olympic Trials. As she was one of 12 competitors who failed to clear the opening height of 4.25 m (13 ft 11 1⁄4 in). In 2015, Stokke managed to reach her best height of 4.15 m (13 ft 7 1⁄4 in). This new record landed her a third-place finish at the National Pole Vault Summit; which ranked her just outside of the top 30 American women in 2015.
Missed The Cut
Allison, The Model
Once Allison saw that her career in the pole vault path was a bit rocky, she decided to set her sights elsewhere. Yup, Allison Stokke became a model. A sportswear model if we’re specific. As a result, Stokke appeared in many campaigns for Nike, Inc. and Athleta, among others.
Allison The Model
GoPro Sets Their Sights
Not long after and Stokke partnered with GoPro! How so? Well Stokke delivered a series of videos of her vaulting heights, while the camera was attached to her pole, in order to demonstrate the inner workings of the sport. Furthermore, it obviously advertised the action that the camera equipment could provide. By 2016, Stokke’s GoPro videos received an excess of six million views on YouTube! Crazy.
GoPro Sets Their Sights
Uniqlo
That same year, 2016, Allison and Uniqlo joined forces. Many video campaigns of Uniqlo featured Stokke exercising in their newest fitness collection. Although recently it looks as though Stokke has hung her hat in the modeling gig.
Uniqlo
An Item?
Dang, 2016 was a busy year for Allison Sokke! She was pictured with Rickie Fowler (a professional golfer) while at the motocross Grand Prix. Photographers captured the duo close and personal, just having a good time in one another’s company. Then Stokke and Fowler also shared photos on their personal Instagram accounts that launched the rumor mill into overload.
An Item?
Who’s The Hunk?
So who exactly is the 28 year old? Rickie Fowler was born on December 13th, 1988 and, as we mentioned, is a successful professional golfer. He has seven professional wins to his name, four of the PGA Tour, two European Tour wins, and one in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Who’s The Hunk?
Confirmed!
Of course it didn’t take long for Fowler’s teammate to spill the beans that Rickie Fowler and Allison Stokke were really dating. Thanks, bud. During a press conference, Jason Day made a joke about his partner’s absence from a team meeting the day before. Saying he had made a new partner! **Wink, wink**
Confirmed!
Such Love
As the relationship was made official, the social media attention for the pair has been off the charts. Often you can see photos of Stokke and Fowler walking hand in hand. Or you can see photos from their social media accounts, smiling big and enjoying grand adventures!
Such Love
Melt Your Heart Love
While the duo live a life most of us can only dream of, they’re also each other’s biggest supporters. Stokke is always photographed at Fowler’s golfing tournaments, cheering on her man. Number one fan? It’s plausible. Ugh, don’t let the jealously consume you!
Melt Your Heart Love
Swing!
Not only does she support Fowler, but it looks like she’s also picking up the clubs! Undoubtedly Fowler is teaching his girl the love of the game, and it seems as though she’s killing it.
Swing!
Partners In All
Recently, Stokke uploaded to her Instagram the following photo, with the caption, “Feels good to get back at it! Got myself an East Coast training partner too 😉” Guess a couple that works out together, stays together? Or something like that.
Partners In All
Started From The…
Guys, Allison Stokke has certainly come a long way from the 2007 incident that left everyone with their jaws on the floor. While she’s had ups and downs with her unwanted fame, she has certainly excelled in life. Many athletics applaud her efforts to exposure unwanted attention and also her efforts in getting others interested in pole vaulting. Lastly, Stokke certainly has a lot to be thankful for and plenty to look forward to!
Started From The…
What She Thinks
Recently, Allison Stoke piped up about her feelings toward the viral photo that forever changed her life. “I feel like me and that picture are two different people. I feel it has taken on a life of its own.” Yikes, that sounds intimidating.
What She Thinks
Additonally
Ahem, Stoke went on to add, “It’s like that picture is my alter-ego and sometimes I feel like I use it for a positive force, and sometimes I just choose to leave it out there and not engage with it.”
Additionally
Mama Says
Cindy, Allison’s mom, also spoke about the toll it took on her daughter, “I think I saw her grow up faster. “She saw how the world can be, saw how some people can be really cruel, some people can be great. I think she realized, ‘I can’t be so concerned about what everyone else thinks; I have to pursue my career and my dream and my sport.'”
Mama Says
Double Standard
Unfortunately male athletes often don’t encounter the same double standard. Especially when it comes to their looks and their skill. “I’ve never seen this viral thing happen to a male athlete who isn’t also already the best at what they do,” Stokke says. “Yes, male athletes are also hailed for being incredibly attractive, but they’re usually top-ranked in the world, too.”
Double Standard
What She Wanted
No matter what anyone says, Allison is an athlete. Over time she has conditioned herself to become whatever is necessary in order to achieve her dreams. “If she was going to be in the limelight, it was going to be because she was an athlete, and she knew that was about her looks,” says Cindy (her mom). “She wanted to be known for her ability to pole vault. That’s what she wanted.”
What She Wanted
Sociology Class
Guys, Stokke also opened up and said, “At Cal, I wrote about it once for a Sociology class. We were supposed to write about some deep thing that affected you emotionally, and then you had the option to share, or not share and delete it. And I didn’t share it. I deleted it. I wish I still had that somewhere, because I think it would be very different now.”
Sociology Class
Back Then
So if you would have asked her back then, she would have said, “My response back then, in 2008 — was I flattered? In some ways, sure. But I was overwhelmed, too. And I think my response to being overwhelmed was to just stay away from it entirely.”
Back Then
And Now
However now Allison Stokke is singing a new tune. “But now, I’m trying to figure out how to reclaim it and own it and push it in the right direction. And benefit from it — in terms of fueling my training. And if I try to ignore it, it will take on a life of its own. Which is what I did in college: ignore it. And I lost control of my own story.”
And Now
The List
Before Stokke truly broke the internet with the pole vaulting photos which emerged, only real fans of the sport could actually even name a professional pole vaulter. However, nowadays even more ladies are going viral for their pole vaulting skills. Unfortunately last year a list ranked “The Hottest Women Pole Vaulters of the 2016 Rio Olympics” was produced. Such pole vaulters that made the list were Sandi Morris from the USA team and Eliza McCartney from the New Zealand team.
The List
Give Up? Never
Lastly, Stokke is working hard on perfecting her craft and with her new coach in Phoenix, Arizona, she is well on her way. Now Stokke has yet to drop her sights on making the Olympic team and with her determination, we’re sure to see more of Stokke in the near future.
Give Up? Never
June Jitters
In June 2017, Stokke posted on her Instagram, Craving those back of the runway jitters 🙋🏽” So it definitely looks like Stokke is back at it, training hard to make her dreams come true.
June Jitters
Up and Up
Much of Stokke’s Instagram is dedicated to not just her life, but showing her skill at pole vaulting and inspiring others dedicated to fitness. She tries to show everyone, “fans” included, what it takes to be a fitness model and how to achieve one’s dreams.
Up And Up
Halloween Fun
But it’s not all hard work! Stokke and Fowler dressed up in onesies for Halloween 2017 and they look as cute as can be!
Halloween Fun
Golf Game On
Maybe one day, Fowler and Stokke will have a golf tournament between one another. Wonder who will come out on top?
Golf Game On
Happy As Can Be
In any case, we love following her journey and always try to keep up with her. So now that we are nearly at 2022, what has Allison been up to for the last couple of years?
Happy As Can Be
Success In Work
So how much is Allison worth these days? We know she has had a lot of work not only as a competitive pole vaulter, but also as a fitness model. Reportedly, her net worth is around $500,000! This is quite impressive, and we only see her stature rising further in the future.
Success In Work
Height
Alisson may have had some genetic luck in being such an amazing pole vaulter. It certainly only helped that she is quite tall for a woman. She stands at 170cm tall (5 feet, 7 inches). This surely helps her to jump higher and reach those heights; every inch counts in this sport. She also has more chance of striking the pole better.
Height
Boyfriend
So we already know that Allison was dating golfer Rickie Fowler, as confirmed in 2017. How has their relationship been going though? Well she has supported the golfer a lot throughout various tournaments, accompanying him on his travels and throughout.
Boyfriend
Tournaments
Allison was even seen accompanying Fowler at the 2021 Masters tournament, held in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament was the first of the year, following the postponed 2020 tournament due to COVID-19. This year saw the return of spectators, which was why Allison was able to come and support Fowler. The competition did have reduced numbers and other distancing methods in place, and even saw the cancellation of the Par-3 contest.
Tournaments
Engagement!
So it seems that Stokke and Fowler’s relationship had been going quite well, since it was confirmed in 2018 that they had gotten engaged! It was tough for fans of Stokke to hear, she was officially off the market! Fowler even announced the engagement on Instagram with the caption: “Today is National Best Friend Day so I wanted to lock mine down…I WON!!”. Well you certainly did Rickie, you lucky man.
Engagement!
Throwback
Was there another reference to that caption? For sure there was! It was a reference to the caption of the first picture Fowler ever posted with Stokke back in April 2017 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. This man just keeps seeming to win! He’s a top golfer, he travels around and sees great sporting events and now has a stunning bride on his arm!
Throwback
Everyone Was Pumped
It wasn’t just the happy couple who were excited, but also their friends! For instance, it seemed as though golfer and friend of the pair, Justin Thomas was present at the proposal. It also seems as though he was the photographer! He was the first to congratulate the pair and reposted a congratulatory post from @GolfChannel.
Everyone Was Pumped
Selfie Time!
The trio obviously partied away on that stunning day, smiles were all round. Allison was the main photographer now, lying down smiling away as Ricky and Justin stood above her. An engagement is a beautiful thing which for many people only comes around once in a lifetime! We are glad they enjoyed themselves so much, we love Allison and we love Allison together with Ricky!
Selfie Time!
Planning The Wedding
The wedding certainly needed a lot of planning, they had to agree on where, when, among other important factors. What was immediately agreed on however, was that the pair would be having a destination wedding. The original plan was to marry in the Bahamas, even despite the fact that it was hurricane season for the small island.
Planning The Wedding
Disaster Strikes
It was only a month before the wedding when Hurricane Dorian hit the island! “The impact on the islands, their residents, and our friends in the Abacos was heartbreaking,” Allison said. it seemed that the Bahamas wouldn’t end up being the dream destination that the pair had dreamed of.
Disaster Strikes
Discovery Land Company To The Rescue
Luckily for the pair, Discovery Land Company came to their rescue. Despite great loss at Baker’s Bay and the surrounding areas, they reached out and offered them a beautiful venue at a vacant property in Cabo. In the end they experienced beautiful weather at their new Beach Club location in San Lucas, Mexico. Their event planner, Marcy Blum, worked exceptionally well with the crew out in Cabo to provide a magnificent experience for everyone involved.
Discovery Land Company To The Rescue
The Rehearsal Dinner
The Pre-Wedding was stunning. It involved golf, cocktails, tequila and laughter! The pair with friends were pictured on the golf course and everyone was dressed the part for the dinner part. The theme of the wedding was very colorful where the guests, bride and groom wore white. The décor was stunning and it truly felt like everyone there was in paradise.
The Rehearsal Dinner
White
The pair looked stunning in their white get-ups. The white really complimented the rest of the surroundings. Flowers were everywhere, in all colors. Even Rickie’s baby nieces dressed the part! As you can see just below, the four posed very sweetly for a photo. At least the kids weren’t forced to wear all white! They were allowed to wear jeans, it seems. Very cute.
White
The Dress
Allison wore a stunning white dress, made by Elizabeth Filmore. Allison’s bouquet consisted of Astilbe, garden roses, dahlia and parrot tulips and was a beautiful combination. Rickie wore a Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a white t-shirt and white Buscemi sneakers for the wedding, also.
The Dress
Beach Ceremony
Marcy Blum Associates combined with Elena Damy Floral & Event Design to create a romantic atmosphere where everything was set up to complement the beach and ocean without taking anything away from the stunning view. Guests arrived and took their seats on the crafted wooden benches.
Beach Ceremony
Ceremony In Action
The Ceremony was beautiful and was officiated by Ryan Good. Rickie was accompanied by Ryan as he walked towards the canopy, whereas Allison was escorted by her father down the aisle. The pair went through the ceremony and shared a special kiss at it’s conclusion.
Ceremony In Action
Party!
After a beautiful ceremony and some lovely food, of course dancing and celebration followed! The evening included a friend of the couple, Kelley James, devising some comedic raps about the pair, as other guests listened joyfully. The party went late into the night and was great fun for everyone.
Party!
Celebrations
The party started off calmly, and quickly turned into a huge rager! The party was a huge success and as the night went on the party got more fun. Look at the laser beams and the haze! We wish we were there.
Celebrations
Post-Party
Upon conclusion of the wedding festivities, the pair went on with their lives and seemingly were enjoying married life! To the extent that on June 21 2021, Rickie announced on Instagram that the pair would be expecting their first child! The post received over 270,000 likes and the pair look radiant.
Post Party
Good Wishes
We are ecstatic for the pair! We can’t wait to see their child when they are finally born! We know she will make a great mother, and will surely pass on some great genes, but also values on to her child! Maybe they will be a sportsman, just like their parents.
Good Wishes