Tom Brady is not letting chatter about his personal life drag him down. The retired NFL star, 49, posted a cryptic message through his Instagram Story on Thursday, November 5, while facing attention surrounding Victoria’s Secret models Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls, as reported [1] by Us Magazine.
“You are not responsible for correcting every false version of you that exists in someone else’s head,” the message read. Brady added three heart emojis, but did not offer any further explanation alongside the post.
Tom Brady just posted three IG stories in a row with this song https://t.co/F9PAGWGgMU
— Lucy Burdge (@LucilleBurdge) November 5, 2026 [2]
The message arrived after Us exclusively reported on October 24 that Brady and Swanepoel had been dating “for a while.” Neither Brady nor Swanepoel, 38, has publicly discussed the reported romance.
According to an insider, Brady and Swanepoel have been seeing each other since the spring. The relationship report soon became entangled with details about Smalls, 38, who has been a longtime friend of Swanepoel.
Days after news involving Brady and Swanepoel emerged, a source told Us that Smalls and Brady “were seeing each other on and off for about a year between 2023 and 2024” in a casual fling.
“They were hooking up for a while and still kept in touch afterward,” the source shared. Reports about Brady growing closer to Swanepoel apparently left Smalls feeling “blindsided.”
A source described Smalls’ reaction as being rooted in her friendship with Swanepoel rather than simply her history with Brady. The source framed the reported situation as a breach of trust between close friends.
“To her, it was just the ultimate breaking of girl code,” a source exclusively told Us on October 28, referring to Smalls. “It wasn’t even necessarily about Tom, but more about the fact that Candice was someone she considered such a close friend.”
The source further claimed that Smalls had discussed Brady with Swanepoel before news of the new romance surfaced. “Joan had openly talked to Candice about Tom and had confided in Candice about the relationship.”
Speculation about tension between the models grew after both women walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on October 15. Although Swanepoel and Smalls appeared in the same show, they were not photographed together at the event.
Reports later circulated that Smalls had seemingly referred to the situation in a since deleted comment on an Instagram post from Just Jared. The post covered the news surrounding Brady, Swanepoel and the rumored falling out.
“Two words: SUMMER HOUSE ! That’ll explain everything,” Smalls wrote. Fans believed the comment referenced the viral Bravo love triangle involving Amanda Batula, West Wilson and Ciara Miller.
Smalls also allegedly posted other responses to fans who asked about the drama, though those comments were reportedly deleted. One comment reportedly read, “I’m not friends with backstabbers.”
Another alleged response focused directly on the friendship standard at the center of the speculation. Smalls reportedly wrote, “There is no girl code with some people.”
Swanepoel’s representative later addressed the rumors in a rare statement that emphasized the model’s privacy and family priorities. The spokesperson also acknowledged the longstanding history between Swanepoel and Smalls.
Tom Brady is dating Candice Swanepoel. Her best friend of 15 years is calling her a backstabber.
Brady, 49, and Swanepoel, 38, have been seeing each other for months in Miami. Sources say it started in the summer.
Joan Smalls and Brady had a casual thing on and off in 2023–2024. She still kept in touch with him after.
When she found out Candice was with him, she wrote that there was no girl code after 15 years of friendship. She called her a backstabber and told mutual friends to pick a side.
Candice’s rep said she has always respected their friendship and stays private about her personal life.
Brady is still divorced from Gisele. Candice has two kids with her ex. Neither has confirmed the relationship.
— Wetty (@miztwetty) October 30, 2026 [3]
“Candice has always been exceptionally private about her personal life, with her focus remaining on raising her children,” the spokesperson told Us on October 28. “She and Joan share a longstanding history and a friendship that Candice will always respect.”
Brady, meanwhile, did not identify anyone in his Instagram Story message. His post about not correcting “every false version” of himself appeared as reports continued to focus on his personal life and the rumored tension involving Swanepoel and Smalls.