Fever superstar Sophie Cunningham finds the culture in Los Angeles inauthentic, to say the least
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made it clear this week that bright lights and Hollywood glamour are not part of her personal blueprint.
From the outside, Los Angeles is often viewed as a premier destination for professional athletes — a market synonymous with media visibility, endorsement leverage, and celebrity crossover. But for Cunningham, the appeal stops at the surface.
The 29-year-old has built her reputation on intensity, competitiveness, and an unapologetic edge. Her style of play — physical, emotional, and unfiltered — has made her one of the most recognizable personalities in the WNBA. Yet when discussing Los Angeles in a recent video appearance, Cunningham acknowledged that the city’s social culture feels misaligned with who she is.
She described a disconnect between online personas and real-life interactions.
“I don’t think I’m an LA girl,” Cunningham said in the video. “Like, at all. It’s just weird. People don’t dance. People don’t even like say, ‘Hi.’ They have no personalities.”
She continued by expanding on what she views as a contrast between digital confidence and in-person authenticity.
“They have no personalities, and they all look the same. It’s weird. Please tell me that’s not weird,” Cunningham said. “All these personalities you see on like Instagram and TikTok, I like how they found a space where they can feel like themselves and gain confidence online, but if you can’t speak to people or look people in the eye, like in person.”
Cunningham’s comments were not framed as a critique of opportunity. Instead, they reflected a personal preference. For a player who thrives on direct communication, locker-room chemistry, and in-game emotion, authenticity appears to outweigh aesthetics.
Her current home with the Indiana Fever may offer a more natural cultural alignment. Indiana’s basketball identity has long centered on work ethic and competitive sincerity. The Fever’s fan base — deeply rooted in the state’s longstanding basketball tradition — typically prioritizes performance over polish.
Cunningham has embraced that environment. She has developed into a vocal presence and emotional catalyst, playing with the type of visible fire that resonates in markets where the game itself remains the focal point.
In a league increasingly shaped by market size, social media reach, and brand expansion, Cunningham’s remarks stand out. Many athletes actively pursue visibility hubs such as Los Angeles to maximize exposure. Cunningham’s perspective suggests that fit, comfort, and authenticity can outweigh geography.
Her comments also highlight a broader theme within professional sports: not every player measures success through lifestyle appeal or celebrity adjacency. For some, culture matters just as much as competition.
For Cunningham, that culture appears firmly rooted in Indiana.
And if her recent remarks are any indication, she has little interest in trading that identity for the Hollywood spotlight.