Fans Rally Around Brianna LaPaglia as She Gets Vulnerable on Personal Achievement

The content creator opens up about her weight gain journey after months of struggle.
Brianna LaPaglia at the 2025 SI Swimsuit Issue launch party
Brianna LaPaglia at the 2025 SI Swimsuit Issue launch party / John Nacion/Variety/Getty Images

Brianna LaPaglia took some time to get vulnerable with her TikTok audience this week and opened up about her struggles with her weight.

Trigger warning: Disordered eating

LaPaglia posted a video where she can be seen dancing happily to Big Red Machine’s “Renegade” featuring Taylor Swift, an action she took to celebrate that she was able to gain 25 pounds despite having experienced an anxiety-induced eating disorder.

Check out LaPaglia’s TikTok video here.

Brianna LaPaglia poses in La Quinta, California.
Brianna LaPaglia was photographed by Katherine Goguen at The Austin Estate. Swimsuit by Tropic of C. Top by Andres Otalora. / Katherine Goguen/Sports Illustrated

Fans didn’t hesitate to show the internet celebrity some love, as many sympathized with her situation. Some expressed that they have gone through similar experiences and appreciate LaPaglia using her platform to speak up about something that’s so important.

“Treating our bodies and minds like the temples that they are is the MOST beautiful a woman could ever be!” one comment expressed in support.

“I’m just glad you’re happy and feeling good bb ♥️,” another comment stated.

“Good for you ❤️💛🔥 I can relate and am on the same journey. You look healthy and gorgeous!” another fan wrote.

“I’m going through the exact same thing right now. Unintentionally lost around 60lbs from anxiety. I’m not on the upswing yet but watching you helps. So so proud of you 🥰🥰," one person shared.

Also pairing with the video is LaPaglia’s caption, which discusses how she still struggles looking at herself in certain types of clothing, including swimsuits. Even so, she says that she’s so much happier in the skin that she’s in and is proud of her journey.

“Definitely and up and down battle with the weight gain,” the 25-year-old celebrity wrote. “I still really struggle with seeing myself in swimsuits/less clothing but I’ve gotten so much happier with each pound gained!!! Love you guys ❤️.”

Brianna LaPaglia poses by the pool wearing a light pink swimsuit.
Brianna LaPaglia was photographed by Katherine Goguen at The Austin Estate. Swimsuit by SAME Los Angeles. / Katherine Goguen/Sports Illustrated

Despite having difficulty embracing her body in a swimsuit, when LaPaglia posed for the cover of the January 2025 SI Swimsuit digital issue in La Quinta, Calif., she voiced to the team that the opportunity helped her “reclaim her body” and begin the walk into the best version of herself.

“This [SI Swimsuit cover is] me reclaiming my body, myself, me just as a woman,” LaPaglia said. “I’m allowed to do what I want to do, I’m allowed to do it in any fashion in any amount of clothes in front of whoever I want and no one has the control over you to tell you what you can and cannot do, and for so long, I let someone else have that control so this, to me, isn’t just like, ‘check it off the bucket list, that was really cool.’ This is like reclaiming myself. That’s what this all means to me.”

Next. Braxton Berrios Shows Alix Earle Support. Braxton Berrios Has the Sweetest Reaction to Alix Earle’s Stunning Return to the SI Swimsuit Runway. dark


Published
Diana Nosa
DIANA NOSA

After graduating from Rutgers University with degrees in Psychology and Theatre, Diana Nosa ventured off on the path of becoming an entertainment journalist. Having her start on various entertainment sites, she eventually found her way to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2024 and has been working diligently ever since. Diana's interests include fashion, interior design and traveling. She's also an avid anime watcher and gamer––her favorite games being Elden Ring and Hollow Knight.