Tom Bradyromantic life has reportedly caused an unexpected rift between two Victoria’s Secret models whose friendship was once seemingly unbroken.
Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoeldescribed as inseparable for 15 years, they reportedly found themselves on opposite sides of the football legend’s relationship drama.
The reported tension even reached behind the scenes at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, where organizers were said to have taken care to keep the former friends apart.
The relationship between Tom Brady and Smalls reportedly strained her relationship with Swanepoel
The tension between Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel was reportedly rooted in the latter’s concerns about her friend’s relationship with Tom Brady.
A source previously said that Swanepoel had repeatedly encouraged Smalls to end the relationship, even offering emotional support when things got difficult between the model and the former NFL quarterback.
Smalls was reportedly injured when Brady was seen cozying up to hitter Alix Earle at a New Year’s Eve celebration in St. Louis. Barts how 2026 began.
The sight reportedly left her upset, a source said Page Six“Joan was hurt when she saw all the rumours. She was sad and confided in Candice that she was hurt.”
However, the situation would have become more complicated as Swanepoel had also met Brady through someone in the fashion industry.
Brady and Smalls first crossed paths at Michael Rubin’s star-studded Fourth of July party in 2024, though a source said their romantic involvement didn’t begin until about six months later. “She casually dated him on and off for almost a whole year,” the insider said.
Brady Feud reportedly kept the models apart backstage
It became difficult to ignore the reported result at the October 18, 2026, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles.
According to a source, Smalls and Swanepoel were deliberately held back on stage, with the show’s organizers already aware that their relationship had deteriorated.
“Everyone on the team knew beforehand that they were falling out and that Joan wouldn’t go near her,” the source said. Page Six.
The insider also explained that there were no photos showing the two models together, saying, “That’s why you won’t find a single photo of them together at the show.”
The alleged split was particularly surprising given the pair’s long-standing relationship. A source previously described it as “inseparable”.
Tom Brady Shares Cryptic Message Among Models
Brady also drew speculation when he posted a cryptic message on Instagram that some viewers linked to the tension between Smalls and Swanepoel.
Taking to his Instagram story, the former NFL star wrote, per Us magazine“You are not responsible for correcting every false version of you that exists in someone else’s head.”
Brady added three heart emojis to the post. The message emerged amid reports that Swanepoel and Brady had been dating since the spring, while Smalls felt blindsided by their relationship because of her own history with the former football star.
A source told the publication that Smalls and Brady had been seeing each other on and off for about a year between 2023 and 2024.
The source described their involvement as casual, saying, “They dated for a while and still kept in touch afterward.”
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Brady and Swanepoel were reportedly keeping things casual
While speculation about the models’ relationship continued, Candice Swanepoel’s relationship with Tom Brady was also a topic of interest.
PEOPLE reports that the Victoria’s Secret model enjoyed their time together but was in no rush to make the relationship serious or explain their future.
A source close to Swanepoel told the publication that the couple are not engaged, despite speculation stemming from photos which showed her wearing a gold band on her left ring finger.
The insider said their relationship was relaxed, explaining that they spent time together when their busy schedules allowed.
Tom Brady Romance Made Candice Swanepoel’s Rep Speak Out
The attention surrounding Brady’s relationship with Swanepoel also prompted his agent to address speculation about her relationship with Smalls.
In a statement on October 28 to Us Wweeklythe spokesperson confirmed that Swanepoel prefers to keep her personal life private.
“Candice has always been extremely private about her personal life, still focused on raising her children,” the rep said.
The spokesperson also addressed the long-standing relationship between the two Victoria’s Secret models, saying, “She and Joan have a long history and a friendship that Candice will always cherish.
The statement came as reports circulated that Smalls and Swanepoel had followed each other on Instagram.
Smalls had also commented “Two words: SUMMER HOUSE! That explains everything,” under a social media post about Brady and Swanepoel’s romance.