Actress Alyssa Milano was the target of sharp public criticism after she was seen attending the Super Bowl with her son, Milo, in the wake of her recent GoFundMe controversy. Netizens were appalled when they saw Milano pose with her 12-year-old son at the stellar Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium just days after she was criticized for posting a fundraiser for her son’s baseball team.
Highlights
- Alyssa Milano faced criticism for attending the Super Bowl after starting a GoFundMe for her son's baseball team.
- Super Bowl tickets cost between $950 and $9,500, sparking debate after Milano's GoFundMe request.
- Social media backlash included comments questioning Milano's need for public donations amid her wealth.
- Milano defended the fundraiser, stating it's common for parents to raise team funds via GoFundMe.
- She argued that she couldn't cover all team expenses and asked critics to refrain from targeting her son.
Tickets for the event can cost anywhere between $950 and $9,500, and the internet raised an eyebrow when Milano attended America's most awaited sporting event of the year at the heels of asking the public for funds to send her son's baseball team on a group trip from California to New York.
Some social media users questioned how Alyssa Milano could attend America's biggest sporting event with her son after the GoFundMe scandal
Image credits: Alyssa Milano
“How can he get to the game and you request money to take his team to Cooperstown? How out of touch are you,” one Instagrammer asked, while another asked, “Is this why you created the Go Fund Me? To get you and your kid to the Super Bowl?”
“Oh wow, you can afford the Super Bowl?” said one social media user.
“Damn. Probably could have spent that money one [sic] your son’s baseball team, huh?” read another comment. “But what do I know.”
The "rich get richer and go to the Super Bowl," critics said as they verbally attacked the mother-of-two on social media
Image credits: Alyssa Milano
Several people also came to Milano’s defense and asked the naysayers to let the mother and son enjoy their moment.
“People need to relax, she's having an experience with her kid. Knock it off jeez,” one commenter said, while another chimed, “So many mean and angry people here… it’s not up to you or me to judge we’re [sic] she spends her money. I’ve met Alyssa just a week ago, and she’s a lovely person. You can see she is sincere and caring.”
One person also pointed out in the comments section that Milano was there at the Super Bowl as part of a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser had offered everyone who donated a minimum of $10 a chance to win tickets, transportation, and a meet and greet with the 'Who's the Boss?' actress herself.
Milano did not respond to the critics questioning how she made it to the Super Bowl. But a few days after the match, the actress posted a picture of herself from the high-voltage Sunday match and thanked the American Cancer Society and the NFL for "such an amazing experience."
Alyssa Milano ignored the critics interrogating her about attending the Super Bowl but posted another picture days later, thanking the American Cancer Society and NFL for the experience
The GoFundMe scandal began in January when the 51-year-old 'Charmed' actress, who reportedly has an estimated net worth of $10 million, began seeking the public's help to raise funds for her son’s baseball team.
“My son’s baseball team is raising money for their Cooperstown trip. Any amount would be so greatly appreciated,” Milano wrote on Twitter.
"We hope you will make a donation to keep our team competitive. Your donation will go to travel costs, uniforms, and dues for families. We also might use your donations for pins or novelty items to make our tournaments memorable experiences beyond the field," read the message on the fundraising page.
Soon after she shared the link to the GoFundMe page, social media users found themselves puzzled over Milano needing the public’s help to put together the funds needed for her son’s baseball team. They expressed disapproval upon seeing the fundraiser from Milano, who reportedly drives an electric Porsche Taycan, rumored to be valued at $200,000.
Social media users expressed shock and disapproval upon seeing Alyssa Milano ask for public donations for her son's baseball team
Image credits: Alyssa Milano
"Alyssa Milano running a GoFundMe to send her kid somewhere is kinda wild," one user wrote, while another said, “Alyssa Milano asking for donations? Shouldn’t she be able to fund the whole thing?”
The online drama pushed Milano to put out a message online, where she said she paid for uniforms for the entire team and coaches while the kids also put their own efforts into raising funds for the team.
"I’m getting media inquiries about whether I have financially contributed to my son’s baseball team. I’ve paid for uniforms for the entire team and coaches, thrown bday parties and sponsor any kid who can’t afford monthly dues," the actress wrote on social media.
"The kids also do fundraising themselves—car washes, movie nights, and many other fun things! Thank you to all who have contributed to the gofundme! You’ve made things easier for these boys and their families," she concluded.
One person commented on her announcemnt and said, "It’s unreal, right away, just because you’re an actress, people think you have to fund the entire thing. There’s not a damn thing wrong with your doing this. It’s a great example for the kids to see you as Alyssa the Mom, not Alyssa the actress. This world is overrun with/Karens!"
To this, Milano replied, "I know. And I would if I could."
Alyssa Milano wrote a strongly-worded message after social media users began leaving spiteful comments on her son's account
The backlash caused some people to leave comments on her 12-year-old son’s account, prompting Milano to speak up and clearly state her reasons behind setting up the fundraiser.
“Every parent raises money for their child’s sports teams and many of them do so through GoFundMe. I am no different,” Milano said as she shared screenshots of her son’s Instagram page being targeted.
“As much as I’d love to pay for the entire team and their families for travel, transportation, hotel, food and beverage, uniforms, trading pins, and all the things teams do for this kind of trip—I can not afford to do so. Maybe someday. Also, if I did pay for everyone—my trolls would find something else to be hurtful about,” she went on to say.
“Regardless of how you feel about me, going on to my hardworking 12 year old son’s Instagram page and leaving these kinds of messages is so horrid. Leave the kids alone,” the actress added. “Let them play baseball. If you are against donating—don’t donate. If you’d like to donate to help the team’s families — we appreciate it—the link is in his bio.”
People expressed their strong opinions about it:
