Brooke Hogan has pushed back against online critics who questioned her decision to share a bikini photo while grieving the death of her father, Hulk Hogan. In an Instagram post on Friday, May 22, the 38-year-old addressed the backlash directly, writing that the image reflected her personal connection to the ocean and her upbringing.
"Trust me, if I wanted to give you a thirst trap, you would have gotten one," Hogan wrote. "If I were a surfer, a swim instructor, heavier [or] thinner … would it be less shocking? I grew up in swimsuits." She added that the post captured one of many days spent mourning her father at the beach, a place tied to family memories.
The controversy began after Hogan posted a selfie on Wednesday, May 20, showing herself in a two-piece swimsuit on the sand. She captioned the image with reflections on her father's love for the ocean, noting how each wave brought back memories of his voice and hugs. "Needed some time with my thoughts, my daddy and the ocean he loved so much," the caption read.
Critics quickly focused on the choice of attire alongside the emotional message. Hogan responded by defending her right to grieve in her own way. "Shame on anyone for demonizing it. I am a human. My father was human," she wrote on Friday. "And you people have the nerve to act like you’re experts on ANY topic or know anything about my experience with him? Even my closest family has no clue what I know and have experienced."
She closed the post by dismissing the comments as coming from "trolls" hiding behind screens. Hogan emphasized that the beach setting was central to her family's life with Hulk Hogan, who died in July 2025 at age 71 after suffering a heart attack.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, is survived by his wife Sky Daily, children Brooke and Nick Hogan, and grandchildren. Brooke Hogan and her brother share the same mother, Linda Hogan, who is 66. Nick Hogan, 35, and Linda both attended the late wrestler's funeral service held weeks after his death.
Brooke Hogan chose not to attend the memorial. In an August 2025 Instagram post, she explained her decision by noting that her father disliked the formality of funerals. "My father hated the morbidity of funerals. He didn’t want one," she wrote. Instead, she and her husband Steven Oleksy took their twins, Oliver and Molly, to the beach for a private tribute.
"Although I know people grieve in many ways — and I’m so grateful for all celebrations and events organized to honor him, as his daughter, I had to make my own decision to honor him the best and most genuine way I knew how … privately," Hogan stated. She described the beach outing as the simplest way that aligned with her feelings.
The family’s history includes multiple public moments tied to the ocean and boating trips with Hulk Hogan. Brooke Hogan has previously shared that such settings felt like extensions of home. Her recent posts continue that pattern while highlighting her preference for handling grief away from large gatherings.
Online reactions have varied, with some users supporting Hogan’s approach to mourning and others questioning the timing and presentation of the photo. Hogan’s statements make clear she views the criticism as uninformed about her personal experiences.
According to the posts, Hogan remains focused on raising her young children while processing the loss. The family has kept most details of their private memorial private beyond the beach visit described in the August update.
Further statements from Hogan or other family members have not been released since the May 22 response. The situation reflects ongoing public interest in how celebrities handle personal losses amid social media scrutiny.