Jena Sims says it 'p****s me off' when people just call her Brooks Koepka's wife

Jena Sims has opened up about the frustration she feels when people reduce her identity to just only being Brooks Koepka's wife.

Speaking in a new interview on PEOPLE's WAG World series, the actress, model and philanthropist explained why she felt compelled to push back against online critics who refer to her solely through her relationship with the five-time major champion.

Sims, 37, addressed the issue after sharing a viral Instagram video earlier this year highlighting her achievements outside of golf, including her acting career, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit appearances and charitable work.

Reflecting on the reaction she receives from some golf fans when referred to as just only the wife of Koepka, Sims told PEOPLE: "It p****s me off so much."

"These people are being introduced to me, some of them now," she added.

Before marrying former world number one Koepka, Sims had already established herself in the entertainment industry, appearing in films including Attack of the 50ft Cheerleader and 3-Headed Shark Attack. 

She is also a long-time philanthropist and founder of Pageant of Hope, a non-profit organisation that hosts confidence-building pageants and special events for children and teenagers battling cancer and other serious challenges.

Sims has also continued to raise her profile through her work with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. 

The 2026 edition marked her fourth consecutive appearance in the iconic publication following shoots in Mexico, Bermuda and, most recently, her home state of Florida. 

She has also supported causes including Best Buddies Palm Beach and Baby Quest, which helps provide grants for fertility treatments.

Sims and Koepka began dating in 2017 after first meeting at The Masters, weeks after she had slipped into the golfer's Instagram DMs. 

Their relationship progressed quickly and the couple married in a private ceremony in Turks and Caicos on 4 June 2022. 

They then welcomed their son, Crew, in 2023.

Sims has also built a reputation for being candid with her followers, sharing both the highs and lows of her personal life. 

Last year, she revealed she and Koepka had suffered a heartbreaking pregnancy loss at 16 weeks. 

The couple had not publicly announced they were expecting a second child, but chose to share their experience in the hope of helping other families navigating similar grief feel less alone.

"They don't know that I had a career prior to Brooks, which I did," Sims said. 

"Now that I have gained a greater following, probably because of the golf world and Sports Illustrated... these people, golf fans especially, get so upset when a golfer's wife makes it about them."

Sims believes criticism aimed at her social media content is often misplaced. 

Sims pointed to the attention she received during The Masters in April, where her outfit posts generated significant engagement online.

"I don't feel that I do that. Even at the Masters when I went mega viral, I was simply showcasing my outfits, which is something that everybody does that goes to Augusta. I think it's just because I was a golfer's wife, these people just have a problem with it."

Sims added that her social media accounts are designed to reflect her own life and interests rather than solely her husband's career.

"I just had to remind them that this is my personal social media," Sims explained.

"It's not Brooks Koepka's wife at Instagram.com. It's literally my own personal social media. So I am going to share my outfits and my life. I'm not going to share Brooks. I do, but it's not a patron. It's for me."

Elsewhere in the interview, Sims discussed the evolving perception of the term "WAG" and argued there is room for many different types of relationships within professional sport.

As founder of Pageant of Hope, Sims said women should not be judged whether they pursue careers outside their relationships or choose to focus on family life.

"There's so many. There's absolutely nothing wrong if a wife is what you want to be. I know so many successful relationships where the woman is the wife and that's all she does. That's not all she does, but she doesn't have a career outside of her husband. That is great," she said.

"But there are also wives and girlfriends who have careers outside of their husbands and that's also great."

Sims added: "So I am truly not one of these haters that think WAG has a negative connotation. I just think that's just what we're called, a wife and/or girlfriend.

"I'm somebody's wife. It's true. It's fact."