Chloe Kim Shuts Down Social Media DMs After Olympics

The two-time gold medalist snowboarder cites 'disturbing' content as the reason for the move.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Chloe Kim, the 25-year-old American snowboarder who won silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has shut down her Instagram direct messages (DMs) after seeing 'too many fake and very disturbing images/videos' from fans. The two-time gold medalist said she needs to protect herself, though she hopes to reconnect with her followers in the future.

Why it matters

Kim's decision to shut down her DMs highlights the darker side of fame, where public figures can be subjected to harassment and disturbing content from some fans. This raises broader questions about the challenges athletes face in managing their online presence and mental health in the digital age.

The details

Kim, who was dethroned by 17-year-old South Korean snowboarder Choi Gaon at the 2026 Winter Olympics, had also gone viral for her relationship with Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett. However, the snowboarder said she had to take action after seeing 'too many fake and very disturbing images/videos' from fans in her DMs.

  • Chloe Kim announced the decision to shut down her Instagram DMs on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • Kim won the silver medal in the women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy on February 12, 2026.

The players

Chloe Kim

A 25-year-old American snowboarder who has won two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal.

Choi Gaon

A 17-year-old South Korean snowboarder who won gold in the women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, dethroning Chloe Kim.

Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns Defensive Player of the Year and Chloe Kim's boyfriend.

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What they’re saying

“Hello hello! Happy Friday! I unfortunately had to turn off my DMs due to people taking things too far. I've seen too many fake and very disturbing images/videos and I need to protect myself. Hopefully with some time we'll be back! I really do enjoy connecting with you all! Much love 💖💖”

— Chloe Kim (Instagram)

The takeaway

Chloe Kim's decision to shut down her Instagram DMs highlights the challenges that high-profile athletes can face in managing their online presence and mental health. This incident underscores the need for better support and protections for public figures dealing with harassment and disturbing content from some fans in the digital age.