Tom Brady Reportedly Sparks Friendship Rift Between Supermodels Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls
The models, once inseparable, are now reportedly on the outs after Swanepoel began dating Brady, who Smalls had previously been linked to.
A burgeoning romance between Tom Brady and Candice Swanepoel has reportedly fractured the long-standing friendship between Swanepoel and fellow supermodel Joan Smalls. Sources suggest Smalls is now giving mutual friends an ultimatum, forcing them to choose sides between her and Swanepoel.
Smalls and Swanepoel, both 38, had been friends for approximately 15 years and were described as being "inseparable." However, their relationship has reportedly soured following Swanepoel's alleged romantic involvement with the former NFL quarterback.
According to reports, the tension escalated when Swanepoel reportedly began dating Brady after they were introduced by mutual friends. This development reportedly came after Swanepoel, in the past, had discouraged Smalls from dating Brady, with one source claiming Swanepoel "repeatedly encouraging her to dump him." The dynamic shifted when Swanepoel herself began a relationship with the football player.
Smalls has allegedly expressed her displeasure through public comments. In one instance, responding to a post about the drama, Smalls cryptically stated, "Two words: ‘SUMMER HOUSE!’ That’ll explain everything." This is believed to be a reference to a reality television show where friendships imploded after romantic entanglements.
Further screenshots obtained by gossip outlet DeuxMoi reportedly show Smalls labeling Swanepoel a "backstabber" when asked about their friendship status. Smalls allegedly responded to a fan by saying, "im not friends with backstabbers." In a now-deleted message, Smalls also stated that there "was no girl code" and that the "disrespect and carelessness in how they treat you is so unimaginable."
"There’s no going back. Some people lack humility and moral compass," Smalls reportedly wrote. "And the way they gaslight, lie and minimize your feelings is the worst slap in the face after 15yrs or friendship. Not a sorry said or written. Onwards and upwards!!!"
Sources indicate that Smalls is now telling her friends to pick a side in the dispute.
A representative for Swanepoel, Amanda Ruisi, provided a statement: "Candice has always been exceptionally private about her personal life, with her focus remaining on raising her children. She and Joan share a longstanding history and a friendship that Candice will always respect."
While DeuxMoi previously reported that Smalls and Brady had an on-and-off relationship for about a year, a source told Page Six that their connection was "never really serious." The outlet's sources also claim that Brady and Swanepoel have been together "for months," having started their relationship in May.
Brady, 46, has been publicly linked to several individuals since his divorce from supermodel Gisele Bündchen was finalized in October 2022. These links include Kim Kardashian, Brooks Nader, Irina Shayk, Sofía Vergara, Alix Earle, and Yael Cohen. He shares a son with actress Bridget Moynahan and two children with Bündchen. Representatives for Smalls and Brady did not immediately respond to requests for comment.