A University of Mississippi student and her boyfriend have publicly denounced a salacious and unfounded internet rumor that has spiraled out of control, drawing widespread attention and even mentions from high-profile media figures.
On Thursday, Evan Solis, the boyfriend of Mary Kate Cornett, broke his silence to address the speculation and firmly reject the baseless allegations that his girlfriend had an inappropriate relationship with his father.
“The unbelievable rumors about my family and Mary Kate’s are unacceptable and need to be addressed,” Solis wrote in an Instagram post. “The accusations are unequivocally false. Also, my faith in my father and our relationship is unwavering. He is wholly innocent and being unfairly slandered with no opportunity to speak on his own behalf prior to these horrendously false statements.”
Solis continued his statement by urging people to recognize the harmful impact of spreading misinformation, emphasizing that words—especially online—have real consequences for the people involved.
“Please know that spreading outrageous accusations with no regard to veracity is as inexcusable as starting the rumor itself. What we say and believe have real consequences for others. I pray we can use this painful moment to learn and grow going forward.”
Cornett and Her Family Push Back, Call Out Prominent Media Figures
Cornett, whose name and reputation have been dragged into the internet firestorm, also spoke out forcefully against the rumors. In a social media statement, she condemned the “utter and complete lies” that have gone viral, even calling out media personalities and platforms that helped amplify them.
Among those Cornett specifically referenced were ESPN’s Pat McAfee, former NFL player Antonio Brown, and Barstool Sports, all of whom either mentioned or commented on the controversy.
McAfee reportedly brought up the rumor during an interview with NFL insider Adam Schefter, per TMZ, while Barstool Sports personality Kevin Clancy shared it on his personal social media accounts.
Cornett’s father also weighed in, sharing a statement on Facebook reinforcing his daughter’s stance.
ESPN declined to comment on the matter when reached by The New York Post. Meanwhile, Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy distanced his company from the allegations, insisting that the organization made a conscious decision to avoid amplifying a story with questionable credibility.
“Barstool Sports did not mention or spread this rumor on any of our Barstool-owned channels as far as I know,” Portnoy said. “Our editors instinctively made the decision to avoid this story as it seemed there was a high likelihood it could have been fabricated. If I’m wrong about that, I’m happy to see where it was posted and revisit.”
RELATED: Kentucky Basketball Player Targeted with Beer Can After Close Victory Over Oklahoma
Cornett Takes Legal Action Amid Cyber Attack Allegations
Faced with an onslaught of online harassment, Cornett and her family are now pursuing legal action against those responsible for spreading the false claims.
In a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover legal expenses, Cornett revealed that she had been the victim of a “deliberate and coordinated cyber attack.” She stated that she had hired legal representation and forensic data investigators to trace the origins of the rumor.
Additionally, she confirmed that her family had filed reports with the University of Mississippi campus police, local authorities, and even the FBI, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
On Thursday evening, Cornett issued a longer personal statement on Instagram, expressing gratitude for those who have supported her while denouncing the viral allegations as entirely false.
“This rumor is 100% completely false, and it is quite frankly inexcusable that such disturbing accusations went viral.”
She continued by reflecting on the harassment and bullying she has endured, emphasizing how dangerous misinformation can be in today’s social media-driven world.
“During this difficult time, my family and I have been overwhelmed with support from people all over the country. Thank you, it mattered! I especially appreciate the support from those who know me well enough to know how ridiculous this is.”
“It is important to note that harassment and bullying of this manner is NEVER okay. Cyber attacks based on nothing but lies and misinformation happen all too often. This experience has awakened me to the dangers of how we all can be manipulated to believe things we read on social media that are not true.”
Cornett concluded her post with a hopeful message, stating that she plans to use her painful experience to help others facing similar online harassment and defamation.
The Bigger Picture: Online Harassment and the Power of Social Media
The incident involving Cornett and Solis is yet another example of how false rumors can spread like wildfire in the age of social media. With platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram serving as echo chambers for gossip, unverified claims can go viral within hours, leaving real people to deal with the fallout.
Cornett’s case is particularly alarming because it wasn’t just anonymous social media users fueling the controversy—mainstream sports media figures contributed to the buzz, whether intentionally or not.
As legal proceedings begin, this situation could serve as an important wake-up call about the responsibility that both social media users and media professionals have when engaging with unverified stories.
For now, Cornett and her family remain focused on clearing her name, pursuing justice, and turning this horrific ordeal into an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of digital defamation.
Leave a Reply