Stassi Schroeder Questions Sports Illustrated Return After Cruel ‘SpongeBob’ Body Comparisons

Stassi Schroeder is reconsidering whether she wants to walk in another Sports Illustrated Swimsuit show after online trolls compared her body to SpongeBob SquarePants. The former “Vanderpump Rules” star said the criticism she received after modeling in this year’s runway presentation left her feeling insecure, despite how empowering she found the experience itself. Schroeder’s admission comes as her new Hulu series, “House of Stassi,” exposes another vulnerable area of her life: the growing disconnect in her marriage to Beau Clark.

Schroeder opened up about her runway experience during an appearance on Page Six Radio. “The first year was really amazing,” she told co-hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real. “The second year, the trolls got to me.”

According to the reality star, social media users criticized her “rectangle” shape and compared her physique to the animated “SpongeBob SquarePants” character. Rather than entirely dismissing the comments, Schroeder conceded that the critics were “not wrong.” However, the personal attacks left her questioning whether she wants to expose herself to another wave of body commentary by participating in the show for a third consecutive year.

Schroeder made her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway debut in 2025 before returning to the catwalk during Miami Swim Week in May. This year’s presentation also featured Alix Earle, Tiffany Haddish and Bethenny Frankel.

Reality Star Felt ‘Empowered’ On The Runway

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Despite feeling “just a little insecure” after reading the online reactions, Schroeder still described the actual runway environment as overwhelmingly positive. “I love doing it, I feel so fucking empowered, the girls are so nice,” she said. “The atmosphere, the energy, it’s such a girl power vibe, and everyone’s there just lifting each other up. So, I really love doing it.”

Schroeder praised the other women involved for creating a supportive environment built around confidence rather than competition. That experience appears to be the main reason she has not completely ruled out returning, even though the negative feedback made her hesitant to put herself through the public scrutiny again.

Stassi Schroeder No Longer Believes Online Praise Or Hate

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After more than a decade in the public eye, Schroeder said she has become “really good” at handling criticism. Although the body comparisons affected her, she insisted there are now only “few things” that can truly get under her skin. “If you believe all of the positive stuff you read, that means you have to believe all the negative stuff you read,” she explained. “So, I just don’t believe anything.”

Schroeder has also learned how quickly fans’ opinions of a public figure can shift. “One minute people love you, the next they hate you,” she said. “It’s all so fluid and it really doesn’t f-cking matter because people’s opinions are gonna change next week.”

Reality Star Has Spent Years Rebuilding Her Career

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Schroeder is no stranger to intense public backlash. In 2020, Bravo fired her and longtime co-star Kristen Doute from “Vanderpump Rules” after their past racist actions involving former cast member Faith Stowers resurfaced. Schroeder had appeared on the series for eight seasons before her abrupt departure.

In the years since, she has focused on rebuilding her public career and expanding her life away from the Bravo franchise. She married Clark, welcomed daughter Hartford and son Messer, and became a New York Times bestselling author through “Next Level Basic” and “Off with My Head.”

Schroeder recently returned to reality television with Hulu’s “House of Stassi,” which follows her family and professional life. However, the new series has already revealed that her career comeback has brought additional pressure into her home.

Beau Clark Feels ‘Angry And Resentful’ In Their Marriage

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During the “House of Stassi” premiere, Clark became emotional while discussing his role as a stay-at-home father and the distance he feels from his wife. The couple shares five-year-old Hartford and two-year-old Messer, while Schroeder has become the household’s primary breadwinner through her show, podcast, and brand partnerships.

“I’m trying to balance wanting her to have her space and to be able to not stress out when she’s working,” Clark shared. “But then also I’m sitting here, and I’m angry and resentful.”

Clark acknowledged that he had been “shoving it down” instead of speaking openly to Schroeder about his frustration. That avoidance gradually caused him to feel increasingly disconnected from her. “I just got so detached from her that it’s like we’re roommates. I don’t feel worthy,” he confessed.

Clark broke down in tears while discussing the emotional toll of their current arrangement.