“There is no girl code": Tom Brady’s romance with Candice Swanepoel sparks messy love triangle rumours involving her friend

Tom Brady’s reported romance with Candice Swanepoel has taken an unexpected turn, with claims of a fractured friendship and a complicated dating history drawing fresh attention. The former NFL quarterback, who finalised his divorce from Gisele Bündchen in 2022, is now at the centre of speculation involving two Victoria’s Secret models. Reports suggest Swanepoel and Joan Smalls may have fallen out after Brady allegedly dated Smalls before beginning a relationship with her friend. While the claims remain unverified, the reported timeline has raised questions about what happened behind the scenes.Tom Brady and Candice Swanepoel romance sparks Joan Smalls controversyBrady and Swanepoel’s relationship reportedly began before the latest rumours surfaced publicly. People reported on October 25 that the pair had been dating for some time, with a source explaining why their relationship may have developed away from the spotlight.“They’ve been dating for a while now,” an insider told the outlet, adding, “They both live in Miami, so it’s very convenient. They’re spending a lot of time together.”Another source suggested the model had been careful about revealing the relationship to others.“She’s been very secretive and selective about who she’s told about their dating. When they have met up, they’ve gone [to great] lengths not to be spotted.”The secrecy has added another layer of intrigue to the story, particularly as reports about Swanepoel’s friendship with Smalls have begun circulating. Both models appeared at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, but their relationship reportedly took a difficult turn.According to reports cited by SheKnows, Smalls appeared to hint at a friendship breakdown through social media comments. She allegedly wrote, “I’m not friends with backstabbers” and “There is no girl code with some people,” before adding, “Two words: SUMMER HOUSE ! That’ll explain everything.”The comments fuelled speculation, although they do not establish the reason for the reported fallout.Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel friendship rumours raise questionsThe most striking claim comes from an unnamed source who spoke to DeuxMoi. The source alleged that Smalls and Brady “dated on and off for approximately a year” before his reported relationship with Swanepoel.According to the account, Swanepoel had previously urged Smalls to be cautious about Brady, reportedly out of respect for Bündchen. The source claimed that after Brady and Smalls ended their relationship, Swanepoel began dating him.If accurate, that sequence could explain why the friendship is reportedly under strain. However, neither model's alleged social media remarks nor the anonymous account independently confirms the dating history.Brady’s past marriage to Bündchen has also become part of the wider conversation. The former couple divorced in 2022, and Bündchen has since married Joaquim Valente, with whom she shares a baby boy.For now, Brady and Swanepoel’s reported romance is the most firmly reported part of the story. The alleged relationship with Smalls and the circumstances behind the friendship breakdown remain unconfirmed, leaving plenty of speculation but few definitive answers.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.