Ryan Lochte speaks out as Kayla Reid’s ex blasts her boyfriend

Ryan Lochte speaking out after his wife Kayla Rae Reid scolded his lover Molly Gillihan to talk about the former couple’s children on social media.

“We miss the children and we love them very much. We cannot control the statement that Kayla has created for more than a year,” said Lochte, 42, exclusively. Us on Monday, October 19.

Lochte confirmed he had previously deleted a social media post in which he responded directly to Reid, 35, asking Gillihan, 37, to “leave me and my kids alone.”

“Even when I’m trying to protect [Molly] she’s looking out for my peace and sanity,” the Olympian wrote via his Instagram Story on Monday. [previous] post because she asked me too.”

He continued, “Please, please understand the impact of smear campaigns, public shaming and cyberbullying. In 2016, I reached a point where I didn’t want to live. I know how painful this can be. Our lives and our mental health are at stake, and the bullying has to stop.”

Us contact Reid for comment.

The 12-time Olympic medalist has previously spoken often about his mental health problems following the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he was charged by local authorities with falsely reporting an alleged armed robbery. (All charges were later dismissed.)

Earlier this week, Gillihan was asked in an Instagram quiz if Ryan “sees his kids” — his son Caiden, 9, and two daughters, Liv Rae and Georgia June, 7 and 3, respectively — because he lives in Springfield, Missouri, and they are with their mother in Florida.

“[He sees them] every month and we have them here Christmas break, spring break and most of the summer. But it certainly isn’t enough,” replied Gillihan, “We miss them like crazy and prayer is only a season.”

Reid fired back via her Instagram Story on Monday, saying Gillihan was wrong about her custody arrangement with Lochte. (The model said the three children will stay with their father for “one month” out of their two-and-a-half-month summer vacation, while the parents share custody “equally” during the vacation.)

“At this point, the constant need for attention is very apparent,” Reid said. “And while I recognize that talking to me in public might attract attention that she never got, I’d be happy to be left out of it.

Reid said she takes care of “most of the parenting and financial arrangements [her kids] almost my own.”

“Meanwhile, from a distance, I am still subjected to name-calling, personal attacks, and unnecessary commentary from people I have made every effort to remove myself from,” she wrote.

Elsewhere in her statement, Reid included how “selective facts are presented” by Lochte’s girlfriend.

“You’d think that by marriage number three, [Molly’s] an understanding of respect, boundaries and the importance of staying out of someone else’s family matters?” she wrote. “But I guess experience doesn’t always translate into growth. I would, once again, be frustrated and embarrassed about my life choices.”

Reid emphasized that she has “no real interest in competing, arguing or participating in this circus.”

“I have three children to raise,” she concluded. “So, for what seems like the hundredth time, you leave me and my children alone. In public and in private.”

Reid split from the swimmer in March 2025 and later accused Gillihan – who she claimed knew her – of cheating on Lochte during their marriage. (Lochte denied any connection between his relationships with Reid and Gillihan.)

Lochte became engaged to Gillihan in October 2025, just four months after Reid went public with their divorce. The exes finally got an official divorce in July.

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