Who is Erika Calabrese? The little person model at the center of a viral rumor about an alleged relationship with OG Anunoby
Inside the viral rumor involving Knicks star OG Anunoby and Instagram creator Erika Calabrese
Erika Calabrese has suddenly become a name circulating across social media after an alleged Instagram exchange involving New York Knicks star OG Anunoby went viral.
It should be noted that the claim remains unverified, and there’s no confirmation that the message attributed to Anunoby is authentic.
Calabrese is a Tampa-based content creator and model who has dwarfism and stands around four feet tall. She’s built an online following by openly discussing her experiences as a little person and her work creating subscription-based content.
In a 2025 interview, she said attention from celebrities and wealthy men had become part of her online experience, including invitations to travel and meet them.
She’s also discussed how some of that attention can cross an uncomfortable line, with people treating her height as a novelty or fantasy rather than seeing her simply as a person. That background has now become part of the conversation surrounding the viral Anunoby claim.
The controversy began with a video shared on social media that appeared to show a message from Anunoby’s verified Instagram account.
The alleged DM invited Calabrese to New York, with the screenshot displaying a timestamp and an account with hundreds of thousands of followers. The post itself acknowledged that the screenshots hadn’t been independently authenticated.
Why Erika Calabrese is suddenly trending
That history has only added to the current talking point. Some social media users have interpreted the alleged Anunoby message as consistent with stories Calabrese has previously told, while others have questioned the authenticity of the screenshot itself.
At this point, neither interpretation has been conclusively established.
Anunoby , meanwhile, is one of the Knicks’ most recognizable players. The British basketball star has also received attention outside the NBA recently after his name came up during an appearance by Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett on “First We Feast.”
During a guessing game, Johnson initially thought Anunoby’s name was made up. Hathaway , a longtime Knicks supporter, quickly recognized him and enthusiastically explained his importance to the team, including his memorable championship performance.
“Game 4 of the NBA championship, one of the greatest baskets ever scored by a player is OG Anunoby, and you just have to watch it,” she said.
