Joan Smalls is drawing a hard line with mutual friends after her 15-year friendship with Candice Swanepoel collapsed over Tom Brady.
Smalls, 38, has issued an ultimatum to pals in their shared circle: choose her or choose Swanepoel, 38, according to sources familiar with the fallout. The rupture follows months of simmering tension that exploded once the blonde South African model began dating the retired NFL quarterback, a man Smalls had previously been involved with herself.
The Puerto Rican supermodel has not been subtle about her grievances online. In comments that quickly circulated, Smalls referenced Bravo’s “Summer House” to make her point, writing, “Two words: ‘SUMMER HOUSE!’ That’ll explain everything.” The reality show’s recent season chronicled the implosion of Amanda Batula and Ciara Miller’s friendship after Batula secretly dated Miller’s ex, West Wilson.
In screenshots obtained by gossip account DeuxMoi, Smalls went further when a fan questioned their status. “im not friends with backstabbers,” she allegedly responded, labeling Swanepoel directly with the cutting term. The same materials captured Smalls declaring there “was no girl code” in how she had been treated.
“And 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 continued in the now-deleted messages. She added: “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!!!”
The timeline of romantic entanglements has fueled the bitterness. DeuxMoi previously reported that Smalls and Brady dated on-and-off for roughly a year, though a source said that pairing was never truly serious. Meanwhile, the seven-time Super Bowl champion and Swanepoel have been together since May after mutual friends set them up, and the relationship has now stretched across multiple months.
The irony stings particularly for Smalls, according to the source. During her own involvement with Brady, Swanepoel allegedly gave her a hard time and repeatedly encouraged her to end things with the former Patriots and Buccaneers great. Yet when the opportunity presented itself, Swanepoel made what the source characterized as her “own play to sack the quarterback.”
Brady, 47, has been divorced from supermodel Gisele Bündchen, 46, since October 2022. The former couple shares two children, and Bündchen has reportedly given her blessing to the new relationship. Brady also has a 19-year-old son, Jack, with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan. Since his high-profile split, Brady has been linked to a string of famous women including Kim Kardashian, Brooks Nader, Irina Shayk, SofÃa Vergara, Alix Earle and Yael Cohen, though he has never publicly confirmed any of these connections.
Through it all, Swanepoel has maintained public discretion. Amanda Ruisi, a representative for the mother of two, offered a measured 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.”
The two women had been “inseparable” for a decade and a half, sharing runways and industry milestones as fellow Victoria’s Secret Angels. Their bond now appears irreparable from Smalls’ perspective, with the model actively recruiting allies to her side of the divide.
Reps for Smalls and Brady did not respond to requests for comment.
The entire spectacle traces back to a romantic overlap that would have remained private if not for Smalls’ decision to air her grievances publicly. What began as whispers in fashion circles escalated into a full-blown social media confrontation, complete with reality television references and demands for loyalty from bystanders caught in the middle.
The friendship’s collapse marks a striking reversal for two women who once moved through the modeling world as a united front, their bond now reduced to coded messages and forced choices for those in their orbit.
Brady is scheduled to serve as a broadcaster for Fox Sports’ NFL coverage this fall.