Tom Brady linked to Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel friendship fallout as model’s cryptic remarks spark questions

Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel are facing questions about their long friendship after comments linked to Smalls appeared on social media, with reports suggesting that NFL legend Tom Brady may be involved. The Victoria’s Secret models have reportedly fallen out after 15 years of friendship, while rumors about Swanepoel and Brady’s relationship have added to the speculation. However, the reason behind the reported disagreement has not been confirmed by either model, and the claims about Brady remain unverified.What happened between Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel? The “Backstabbers” comment explainedThe discussion began after fans noticed that Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel were not seen together at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, held in October. Social media users also noticed that the longtime friends no longer appeared to follow each other on Instagram, raising questions about whether something had changed between them.According to screenshots reported by entertainment outlets, a fan asked Smalls whether she was still friends with Swanepoel. The response attributed to Smalls read, “I’m not friends with backstabbers.”In another alleged comment, Smalls appeared to express deeper hurt over the end of a long friendship. She wrote, “There is no girl code with some people. And the disrespect and carelessness in how they treat you is so unimaginable. There’s no going back. Some people lack humility and a moral compass. And the way they gaslight, lie and minimize your feelings is the worst slap in the face after 15 yrs [of] friendship. Not a sorry said or written. Onwards and upwards!!!”The comments were reportedly deleted later, and their authenticity has not been independently confirmed. Smalls also responded to a Just Jared Instagram post discussing the alleged disagreement, writing, “Two words: SUMMER HOUSE ! That’ll explain everything.”Her reference appeared to point toward the Bravo reality show Summer House, which has featured a friendship dispute involving romantic relationships. However, Smalls did not directly explain what she meant or publicly confirm that Brady was the reason for the alleged fallout.How Tom Brady’s reported romance with Candice Swanepoel became part of the Joan Smalls feudTom Brady entered the discussion after the celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi shared an anonymous tip claiming that Smalls and Brady had dated on and off for about a year. The tip further alleged that Swanepoel had warned her friend to be careful before becoming romantically involved with Brady herself.Page Six subsequently reported that Smalls was upset over the reported relationship and had given mutual friends an ultimatum about choosing sides. These claims have not been confirmed by the people involved, so the alleged relationship between Smalls and Brady should not be treated as an established fact.Meanwhile, PEOPLE reported on October 27 that Brady and Swanepoel had started dating earlier in the summer after meeting through mutual friends in Miami. Neither has publicly confirmed the relationship themselves.Swanepoel’s representative, Amanda Ruisi, addressed the friendship rumors in a statement to Just Jared on October 28, saying, “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.”Her representative did not directly address the allegations involving Brady, while Smalls has not publicly explained the full story behind the reported disagreement. For now, the reason for the reported rift remains unclear.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.