McKayla Maroney is Not Impressed She May Become a Model and Actress

Culture

McKayla Maroney, the U.S. Olympic gymnast who helped the “Fierce Five” win a gold medal in the London 2012 Olympic Games – but failed to do so in the individual vault competition – has become quite the sensation in America ever since her “not impressed” meme went viral in the aftermath of the Games.

The landmark face landed Maroney (and the Fierce Five) interviews with Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report as well as NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. And though the gymnast came across as a sore looser in London, by showing disappointment at clinching silver instead of gold, her good-spirited reaction to her viral meme made her America’s newest sweetheart.   

And though “Flying Squirrel” Gabby Douglas might be the one carrying Team USA’s Olympic glory to Rio 2016 and beyond (some argue the bubbly 17-year-old Virginia native is bound to be the next Nadia Comaneci), Maroney might de the one using sports as a springboard to fame in the entertainment industry (is it just me or Maroney looks like Charmed’s Alyssa Milano?).

According to Opposing Views, last Wednesday, Maroney returned home to “a ridiculous red carpet spectacle.” "It was so amazing. I immediately started getting super-duper emotional. I was just so shocked It just meant so much to me, and I feel so happy right now," said Maroney of the homecoming reception for which fans even unrolled a red carpet – emblematic of what a potential future in the entertainment industry may have in storage for the young athlete. 

"I have an agent and I love fashion and modeling and all that kind of stuff," Maroney said. "It's definitely one of my other passions, other than gymnastics."