A high-stakes alleged feud between supermodels Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls has got everyone talking, and it’s looking like a straight-up ‘showdown’ with a surprising twist: the well-known retired NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, is reportedly in the mix. What kicked off as eagle-eyed fans noticing the longtime friends had unfollowed each other on Instagram has quickly escalated into a full-blown drama, featuring accusations of betrayal and cryptic social media hints. This alleged fallout feels particularly wild, especially since both models recently graced the runway at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, yet were noticeably absent from shared photos, a stark contrast to their usual camaraderie. For real, this whole situation is giving major ‘what the heck happened?’ vibes.
The drama truly hit different after the October 18, 2026, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles. While both supermodels walked the runway, the lack of joint photographs at such a high-profile event immediately raised eyebrows among their loyal ‘digital fandoms’. However, the real ‘tea’ started to spill when reports surfaced from Just Jared that fans had observed the two women had unfollowed each other on Instagram. This seemingly small digital gesture led to screenshots circulating online, allegedly showing Smalls responding to a fan’s question about her friendship with Swanepoel. The alleged response was short, pointed, and ‘no cap’ direct: ‘I’m not friends with backstabbers.’ This alone had social media buzzing about a potential betrayal that shattered a friendship spanning 15 years.
Adding another layer to this already ‘shady’ situation, a subsequent alleged comment from Smalls, also circulating online, referenced a breakdown in ‘girl code,’ disrespect, and dishonesty. It painted a picture of deep pain from losing a friendship of 15 years and suggested that an apology had not been received, making reconciliation seem like a long shot. While Just Jared reported it couldn’t independently verify these screenshots before they vanished, the sentiment resonated deeply with fans, indicating this was far from a casual disagreement. It implied a profound breach of trust, the kind that often leaves lasting scars in any relationship, let alone one under the public eye.
Then came the cryptic ‘Summer House’ reference, which really made the whole situation ‘hits different’. On October 23, Just Jared reported that Smalls had responded to their Instagram coverage of the alleged feud with just two words: ‘SUMMER HOUSE!’ This single comment sent fans into a frenzy of speculation. Many connected it to the Bravo reality series ‘Summer House’, a show infamous for its dramatic friendship fallouts, particularly those involving romantic complications and accusations of betrayal among friends, like the dynamics between Ciara Miller, Amanda Batula, and West Wilson. Fans quickly wondered if Smalls was subtly hinting that a similar messy romantic entanglement was at the core of her fractured friendship.
This is where the plot truly thickened with the alleged involvement of Tom Brady. Reports from Page Six and People introduced the bombshell that Brady and Swanepoel had been romantically linked. People stated that a source claimed the prominent former NFL star and the South African supermodel had been dating for several months and were spending time together in Miami, where both reside, keeping their relationship on the ‘lowkey’. However, Page Six dropped a ‘highkey’ crucial detail: Brady and Smalls had reportedly dated on and off for about a year prior to this. This revelation immediately fueled theories that a ‘love triangle’ could be the root cause of the supermodel drama, making Smalls’ ‘backstabber’ comment all the more poignant.
The unverified celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi further amplified these rumors with an anonymous tip. This tip suggested that Smalls had indeed been involved with Brady previously. According to the account, Swanepoel allegedly cautioned her friend to consider the feelings of Brady’s former wife, Gisele Bündchen, before, as the report claimed, Swanepoel herself reportedly became romantically involved with Brady. This alleged timeline and moral dilemma, if true, would undeniably provide a compelling context for Smalls’ accusations of betrayal and a broken ‘girl code’, making the whole saga feel ‘periodt’ for many fans online.
What makes this alleged feud particularly perplexing is the rich history of a seemingly ‘dope’ friendship between Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls that spanned more than a decade. Their professional and personal lives were often intertwined, sharing countless runway moments, especially through their long-standing association with Victoria’s Secret. Their bond extended beyond the catwalk, with Smalls even participating in a swimwear campaign in April 2025 that involved Swanepoel’s brand, Tropic of C, and Victoria’s Secret. Furthermore, just months later, the pair starred together in Anne Klein’s Fall 2025 campaign, which explicitly celebrated their friendship, with Smalls reportedly referring to Swanepoel as her ‘best friend’ during the promotion. This ‘legit’ long-term connection makes the current reported rift all the more surprising and, dare I say, devastating for fans.
As of October 27, 2026, neither Candice Swanepoel nor Joan Smalls has publicly addressed the alleged feud, the ‘Tom Brady’ connection, or the various accusations circulating online. Their representatives also reportedly had ‘no worries’ or comments when approached by Page Six on October 26. This ongoing silence only adds to the intrigue, leaving fans and the media to speculate about the full truth behind this ‘heads up’ celebrity drama. Whether this ‘supermodel showdown’ will eventually see a public reconciliation or a definitive explanation remains to be seen, but for now, the alleged ‘tea’ continues to simmer.
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends or leave us a comment!
Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
