College Student Targeted by Viral False ‘Sex Scandal’ Rumor Considering Defamation Case: ‘You Can’t Lie for Money’. Photo:
Justin Cornett
- Mary Kate Cornett, a University of Mississippi student who became the center of an unsubstantiated viral rumor in February, is continuing to speak out about the incident, which she says has “practically ruined my life”
- Calling out Pat Mcafee in particular, Cornett told NBC News that she “thought it was absolutely ridiculous that an ESPN sports broadcaster would be talking about a 19-year-old girl’s ‘sex scandal’ that was completely false”
- An attorney for Cornett said they are considering a defamation case
University of Mississippi college student Mary Kate Cornett is continuing to open up about the viral rumor that accused her of inappropriate behavior — and taking aim at ESPN’s Pat McAfee for his alleged role in spreading it.
“I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that an ESPN sports broadcaster would be talking about a 19-year-old girl’s ‘sex scandal’ that was completely false,” Cornett said during an interview with NBC News published on Wednesday, April 2.
The student said the rumor, which involved Cornett and her boyfriend’s dad, “has affected me in such an awful way and has practically ruined my life.”
In her original statement, which her dad Justin posted on his Facebook account, the Kappa Delta Sorority member said she had been the “victim of a deliberate and coordinated cyberattack,” which included, “partially and wholly edited screenshots, fake AI generated videos and manipulated photographs” that “have been promoted by irresponsible social media participants and amplified by thousands of fake accounts.”
She also claims the rumor was also amplified during a Feb. 26 taping of ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show — a clip of which is still up on McAfee’s X account — as the host and his guests reacted to the viral accusations. As noted by NBC News, during the segment, McAfee used the word “allegedly” several times and did not identify Cornett by name.
ESPN had no comment when reached for comment by PEOPLE.
Pat McAfee on Sept. 23, 2023. Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty
As Cornett told The Athletic in a separate article published this week, the allegations have impacted her family members as well, including her mom, whose home was reportedly the scene of a “swatting” hoax.
“I would like people to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” she added. “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention, but here I am staying up until 5 in the morning, every night, throwing up, not eating because I’m so anxious about what’s going to happen for the rest of my life.”
Speaking with NBC News, Cornett reiterated that she planned to take legal action against ESPN and McAfee.
Speaking about their potential case, Cornett’s attorney told the outlet that “you can’t lie about someone with impunity — and that’s what has happened to Mary Kate.”
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Before the viral rumor, Cornett said she was just a “normal 19-year-old college freshman” with a “great friend group” and that “having your life ruined by people who have no idea who you are is the worst feeling in the world.”
Added her father, “The people that did this to her and her boyfriend and his dad deserve what they have coming to them.”
