Nicola Adams has spoken about the micro-aggressions she experiences as a black woman, saying people move their handbags away from her and security guards follow her around shops.
The 37-year-old Olympic boxing champion, who will become the first celebrity to be part of a same-sex pairing on Strictly Come Dancing, said she has had to become resilient to the homophobic and racist comments she received online.
Speaking to Women’s Health magazine, Nicola said: “The first time my partner Ella (Baig, 21) and I really considered that we were an ‘interracial’ couple was when a woman commented on a picture of us on social media saying she was proud of us for being one. We just feel like two ordinary people.”
Nicola said that she has grown a tougher skin after reading some disparaging comments online and is now starting to hit back at the trolls.
She continued: “I’ve become resilient to the comments I get online – I’ll block people rather than reply.
“But recently, Ella (who has also been subjected to online bullying) and I decided to fight back, because maybe there are people out there who aren’t able to cope with these sorts of message.”
Nicola added: “People who might find it comforting to know that even though I’m an Olympic champion, people still say horrible things to me.”
“As a black woman, I know I’m treated differently – subtle things, like people moving their handbags away from me or security guards following me around shops.”
*The full interview is in the November 2020 issue of Women’s Health, on sale from September 30 and also available as a digital edition.