Fans of Arsenal and England footballer Declan Rice have come to the defense of his girlfriend, Lauren Fryer, who deleted her Instagram account due to negative comments about her appearance. Fryer, who has been with Rice for nearly eight years and shares a son with him, faced online trolling that led her to delete all images on her page. Supporters of the couple, including high-profile personalities like Love Island star Liberty Poole, have condemned the abusive comments directed towards Fryer on social media.
The bullying towards Fryer began in December of last year when an anonymous account suggested that Rice ‘could do better’ in terms of his relationship with her. Recently, cruel trolls told Rice that he had ‘low standards’ for being with Fryer. Despite having kept her profile public, Fryer chose to remove all content in response to the abuse. The couple, who prefer to keep their relationship private, have faced criticism and scrutiny over the years, including false rumors that Rice defended Fryer during a press conference, leading to further attention on their personal lives.
The couple made a rare public appearance at the Reading Festival in 2021, where they were seen with musician Liam Gallagher. Rice has also spoken about his close friendship with Chelsea player Mason Mount, which has caused some jealousy from Fryer. The footballer, who came up through the West Ham Academy, has received accolades for his playing career, including being named Young Player of the Year at the London Football Awards. Fryer has been supportive of Rice’s achievements, sharing her pride and love for him on social media.
Recently, Rice celebrated his 50th cap for the England national team, where he also captained the squad during a friendly match at Wembley. Former players like Frank Lampard presented Rice with a custom-made pair of boots to mark the milestone. Rice expressed gratitude for the honor and spoke about the significance of playing for his country. Despite his young age of 25, Rice ranks among the youngest players to reach this achievement, following in the footsteps of football greats like Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, and Raheem Sterling. The celebration of Rice’s accomplishment was also marked by a party hosted by Harry Styles and James Corden.
The support shown by fans towards Rice and Fryer amidst online abuse reflects the ongoing issue of social media trolling faced by individuals in the public eye. Despite attempts to maintain privacy in their relationship, the couple has become a target for unwarranted criticism and scrutiny. The positive responses from fans and celebrities demonstrate the need for a more respectful and compassionate online culture, where individuals are not subjected to harmful comments based on their appearance or personal relationships. By standing up against bullying and negativity, supporters of Rice and Fryer are advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate online community.
