Paige VanZant recently opened up about a terrifying stalker ordeal that left her feeling vulnerable and shaken. The 30-year-old mixed martial arts star took to social media to share her story and raise awareness about the dangers of obsession and harassment.
According to VanZant, she had been bombarded with unwanted messages and gifts by a stranger for several months. The stalker had managed to obtain her phone number and would send her threatening texts and voice mails, often multiple times a day.
VanZant tried to ignore the messages and block the number, but the stalker would simply create a new account and continue the harassment.
The situation took a turn for the worse when the stalker showed up at VanZant’s home. The MMA fighter was alone at the time, and the thought of the stranger lurking outside her house left her feeling terrified and helpless. She immediately contacted the police, who were able to track down the stalker and make an arrest.
VanZant spoke out about her experience on a podcast episode, expressing her gratitude to the police and her disappointment at the lack of support she received from the MMA community. “I’m disappointed that I felt like I couldn’t come out and talk about this because of the way people might react or judge me,” she wrote. “But I’m not going to let fear or shame keep me from sharing my story. I want to use my platform to raise awareness about stalking and harassment, and to let other people know that they’re not alone.”
VanZant’s experience is far from unique. According to a report by the National Center for Victims of Crime, one in six women and one in nineteen men have experienced stalking at some point in their lives. The majority of stalking victims know their stalkers, and the most common tactic used by stalkers is unwanted phone calls or messages.
The consequences of stalking can be devastating, both emotionally and physically. Stalking victims often suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder , and may experience difficulties with sleep, work, and relationships.
Interestingly, celebrities are commonly advised to not talk about their stalkers publicly because the attention given to them, even in an unfavorable way only furthers the obsesion.