Months after defending her from troll, Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian exults seeing Olympian Alaysha Johnson get Paris Fashion Week nod

Months after defending her from troll, Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian exults seeing Olympian Alaysha Johnson get Paris Fashion Week nod

 

 

It’s been several months since Reddit co‑founder and sports investor Alexis Ohanian came to Olympic hurdler Alaysha Johnson’s defense on social media—and now he’s back celebrating an exciting new milestone in her career. What began as a show of support has transformed into a proud cheer as Johnson makes her debut in Paris Fashion Week.

From the track to the runway

Back in early 2024, Johnson earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after securing second place at the U.S. trials with a personal‑best 12.31s in the 100 m hurdles. She went on to finish seventh in the final at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

At the time, conservative commentator Michael Knowles took to X (formerly Twitter) to mockingly claim she wasn’t “paving a way from Black people in running.” That prompted Alexis Ohanian, a longtime supporter of women’s track and field, to step forward with a pointed retort:

> “Don’t give this clown any of the attention he craves.”

He later reaffirmed his support:

“You deserve it all.”

Now, the 28‑year‑old has announced on social media she’ll be returning to Paris—not as an athlete, but as a runway model. Her post read in part:

> “First Paris as an Olympian to Paris as a RUNWAY MODEL. OMG, I almost fainted typing this.”

Ohanian, who has invested heavily in women’s athletics—including launching the all‑female Athlos NYC meet in 2024, which offered the richest prize purse ever in U.S. women’s track and featured Johnson among the stars—was quick to share his excitement and pride.

Why it matters

Ohanian and his firm Seven Seven Six have positioned themselves as powerful advocates for women’s sports. Their support includes founding the 776 Invitational, creating equal‑pay prize money ($60,000 for the winner, $25,000 for second), and producing Athlos NYC—events that elevate women’s track and field through both competition and spectacle.

By championing Johnson early in her career, and now celebrating her transition into fashion, Ohanian is reinforcing the idea that athletes—especially Black female athletes—deserve platforms far beyond their sport. His public encouragement speaks to a broader vision: athletic achievement and personal ambition do not have to be mutually exclusive.

What’s next for Johnson?

Her fashion debut in Paris signals a new chapter. While specifics behind the runway appearance—such as the designer, show, or date—have not yet been confirmed, an Olympian making such a high‑profile entry into fashion is notable.

For Johnson, this moment reflects her evolving brand beyond athletics. And for Ohanian, it’s a reminder that his early vocal support and investment in female athletes can help birth new opportunities and shape culture in real time.

Final thoughts

The arc—from defending Johnson against online criticism to now publicly celebrating her Paris fashion debut—reveals both Ohanian’s consistency as an advocate and Johnson’s expanding horizons. It’s a story not just about sports or fashion, but about respect, progression, and the power of belief.

As Johnson moves from hurdles to high fashion, Ohanian’s words—“You deserve it all”—sound less like platitudes and more like prophecy fulfilled.

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Let me know if you’d like quotes from Johnson’s exact post, designer info once available, or

more background on Ohanian’s initiatives in women’s sports.