Stassi Schroeder, star of "House of Stassi," shared that her confidence was shaken after participating in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit fashion show for the second time. She told Page Six Radio that while the first year of modeling for the show was a positive experience, the second year was met with online criticism.
Internet trolls targeted Schroeder, comparing her body to the animated character SpongeBob Squarepants and calling out her "rectangle" physique. While Schroeder acknowledged the resemblance, the negative comments led her to question whether she would participate in the show for a third time.
"The trolls got to me," Schroeder stated. "I felt just a little insecure."
Despite the negative feedback, Schroeder expressed her enjoyment of the event itself, describing the atmosphere as empowering and supportive. "I love doing it, I feel so fucking empowered, the girls are so nice," she said. "The atmosphere, the energy, it’s such a girl power vibe and everyone’s there just lifting each other up."
Schroeder, who first walked the runway for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2025 and again in May, joined other notable figures like Alix Earle, Tiffany Haddish, and Bethenny Frankel at Miami Swim Week.
The "Vanderpump Rules" alum has a history of navigating public scrutiny. In 2020, she and co-star Kristen Doute were fired from the Bravo series due to resurfaced past racist actions. Following her dismissal, Schroeder has focused on a personal and professional reinvention. She married Beau Clark, with whom she has two children, authored New York Times bestselling books "Next Level Basic" and "Off with My Head," and returned to reality television with her Hulu series "House of Stassi."
Schroeder also commented on her current approach to online commentary, stating she has become adept at handling criticism. "If you believe all of the positive stuff you read, that means you have to believe all the negative stuff you read," she explained. "So, I just don’t believe anything."
Having been in the public eye for over a decade, Schroeder understands the volatile nature of public perception. "One minute people love you, the next they hate you," she noted. "It’s all so fluid and it really doesn’t f—ing matter because people’s opinions are gonna change next week."
"House of Stassi" is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
