The first-ever Women’s Physique Olympia champion, Dana Linn Bailey has established one of the largest fan bases in the competitive bodybuilding and fitness industry. She has hundreds (often thousands) of fans waiting hours in an expo line just to meet the champ and snag a Selfie with her. Many times Dana doesn’t sell anything at her booth, she just poses for photos with fans and signs autographs. Something that’s unheard in the bodybuilding industry.
There’s no clear explanation as to why she’s become one of the most popular female competitors but there’s no disputing she has achieved super-star status in the bodybuilding world. Dana recently graced the cover of Muscular Development magazine and proudly endorsed being called “The Baddest Bitch in the Gym.” She’s one of the few women to ever have a solo Muscular Development cover.
As you might imagine, when she announced she’d be appearing on national television and competing on American Ninja Warrior, her fans went nuts. In April, Dana Linn Bailey (DLB) posted the announcement on her Youtube channel.
After the big announcement, DLB posted training videos geared towards her newfound goal. She set out to show the world that women with muscle are athletes. Most people (in and out of the industry) don’t look at physique competitors as athletes. If physique competitors are athletes and what determines that is a topic for another day. Making it through American Ninja Warrior test someone’s athleticism or lack there of.
Tonight was the moment DLB fans had been waiting weeks for. American Ninja Warrior Orlando Qualifiers aired tonight and well… you could say things didn’t go quite as her fans had hoped. DLB’s tv time on American Ninja Warrior lasted about 10 seconds. Fans couldn’t believe it! Not that she didn’t make it through the course but that they didn’t air any background story. The fans were furious that they (ANW) didn’t featured the woman they admire and look up to. DLB fans were expecting NBC to roll out the red carpet and talk about her training, winning the Olympia, her successful clothing line and more but alas they got nadda. These super fans took to social media and boy oh boy they were not happy with American Ninja Warrior.
A few Facebook Fan comments:
Tiffany Lewis – REALLY?? They only gave you a commercial break appearance?? You deserved a story and an intro too!!
Katie Boucher We are all pissed they only did a recap of her run. Literally 5 seconds!!
Alexis Eggleston That was not worth it. No interview, no props given to her, no mention of ms olympia
Lauren Toth She is so popular and such an amazing person. They could of given her a back story!!!!!! Basically gave everyone else one!!!!
Jennifer L Athoe I put my kids to bed, was gone for 3 minutes and totally missed it. WTH?!
Shannon Harrington I like how the Chik-fil-a team leader got an intro with a backstory but they just swept all of Dana’s incredible accomplishments under the “commercial” rug. Wtf
Check out how DLBmaniacs went off on American Ninja Warrior’s Instagram post.
One thing is for certain when it comes to DLB… She has passionate fans. Some took to twitter to voice their displeasure as you can see in response to her tweet before the show.
Who's watching americanninjawarrior ?? I haven't gone yet, so tune in now to NBC https://t.co/28xI1SLIxP
— DANA LINN BAILEY (@daydayKnucks) June 23, 2015
UPDATE: Dana responds to her fans.
ABOUT AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
Esquire Network and NBC have teamed again to bring the heart-racing competition series, American Ninja Warrior, with hosts Matt Iseman, former NFL player Akbar Gbajabiamila, and co-host Kristine Leahy. The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses in both city qualifying and city finals rounds across the country. Those that successfully complete the finals course in their designated region move on to the national finals round in Las Vegas, where they face a stunning four-stage course modeled after the famed Mt. Midoriyama course in Japan. The winner will take home a grand prize of $1,000,000. Although many have come close, no competitor has yet to achieve total victory and claim the prize.
Lead photo via ANW.
