An Olympic gold medalist has severed ties with his mother, citing her disapproval of his Australian-raised girlfriend and allegations that she took some of his earnings.
Carlos Yulo's mother reportedly reacted strongly to his relationship with Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, a model who was born in the Philippines but grew up embracing an 'Australian way of life.'
Yulo, 24, made history as the first Filipino male to win a gold medal, claiming victory in the floor exercise and later adding another gold in the vault.
Despite being showered with rewards including a luxury three-bedroom apartment, around $950,000, and a lifetime supply of ramen, his homecoming may be marked by a strained relationship with his mother.
In a TikTok video, Yulo explained (translated by Inquirer via the Hindustan Times): "My mother judged Chloe immediately because of how she dressed and acted. Chloe and I grew up in different environments—she in Australia, and that’s the culture she knows, which is very different from how we move, talk, and dress in the Philippines."
He added that Chloe earns her own income, and everything she uses or the travels she takes are a result of her hard work.
Yulo revealed that his mother’s disapproval of Chloe, whom she has never met, worsened their relationship, especially when he began setting boundaries to protect his girlfriend.
Chloe Anjeleigh, who has 900,000 TikTok followers and 117,000 on Instagram, often posts photos and videos in bikinis, lingerie, and dresses—content that Yulo's mother finds distasteful.
Anjeleigh, who models for Fashion Nova, has also pursued a career in nursing and has posted song covers on YouTube, some of which are dedicated to Yulo.
However, Yulo's grievances extend beyond his mother's cold treatment of Anjeleigh. He accuses his mother of withdrawing funds from his accounts, including prize money from the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
"My mother had access to my accounts and my monthly sports allowance. When I finally took control of my accounts, I discovered that she had withdrawn money. I have statements showing all the withdrawals," Yulo stated.
His mother defended her actions, claiming: "The money was given to me. As a mother, I was concerned about my child's future financial stability, so I invested it under my name."
While Yulo has expressed that he forgives his mother, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a reconciliation.
Yulo's mother, Anjelica, has since apologized for any harsh words exchanged, though only after his Olympic victories.
She said: "Son, I am sorry. I understand some may think I’m only speaking now because of your success. I ask for your forgiveness as a concerned mother. You are mature enough to make your own decisions.
"Our door is always open, regardless of your financial status. I can’t take back my words, but your father and I are ready to talk with understanding whenever you’re ready to come home and resolve this."
As for Yulo's rewards, he is set to receive more than $600,000 from private real-estate company Megaworld, along with a three-bedroom condo in a luxury apartment block for athletes.
The Filipino government will award him an additional $280,000. He will also enjoy various commercial and sponsorship deals, a lifetime supply of ramen, mac and cheese, colonoscopies, unlimited entry to a local buffet chain, and a $20,000 department store voucher.
