Tom Brady has shared a cryptic Instagram message about false perceptions amid speculation surrounding his reported romance with Candice Swanepoel and her friendship with fellow Victoria's Secret model Joan Smalls. The retired NFL quarterback, 49, posted a quotation to his Instagram Story on Thursday, 5 November, about the inaccurate impressions people may form of others. The message, accompanied by three heart emojis, attracted attention amid reports about his personal life.
The post followed reports linking Brady romantically to Swanepoel, 38, and speculation involving her longtime friend Smalls, also 38. However, Brady did not mention either model or indicate that his message was connected to the rumours.
Brady Shares Cryptic Message About False Perceptions
Brady's Instagram Story featured a quotation suggesting that people should not feel responsible for correcting how others perceive them. The message focused on the idea that individuals cannot control the impressions others form, regardless of whether those perceptions accurately reflect reality. Although the timing attracted interest, the former New England Patriots quarterback offered no explanation for sharing the quotation.
On 24 October 2026, reports emerged suggesting that Brady and Swanepoel had been dating for several months. The claims originated from an unnamed source who suggested that the pair had developed a romantic connection. Neither Brady nor Swanepoel has publicly confirmed the alleged relationship. The speculation subsequently expanded to include Smalls after additional reports raised questions about her friendship with Swanepoel and alleged past involvement with Brady.
Joan Smalls' Alleged 'Backstabbers' Comments Draw Attention
An unnamed source claimed that Smalls and Brady had previously been romantically involved. However, neither has confirmed the allegation, and details about their reported relationship remain unverified. Both Swanepoel and Smalls appeared at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on 18 October 2026. Their appearances later became part of online discussions about their friendship, although no confirmed evidence shows they disagreed at the event.
Additional speculation emerged over social media comments attributed to Smalls, including alleged references to 'backstabbers' and 'girl code'. The alleged comments have since been reported as deleted, although their original wording and authenticity have not been independently verified. No confirmed evidence shows the remarks referred to Swanepoel or Brady. Despite the online discussion, neither model has publicly confirmed that their friendship ended or that Brady played any role in a disagreement.
Swanepoel's Representative Addresses Friendship Rumours
Swanepoel's representative, Amanda Ruisi, addressed the speculation in a statement released on 28 October 2026. Ruisi emphasised Swanepoel's preference for maintaining privacy regarding her personal relationships and her focus on raising her children.
She also acknowledged the longstanding friendship between Swanepoel and Smalls, indicating that Swanepoel continued to respect their relationship. The statement did not confirm the reported romance with Brady or establish that the models had fallen out.
Swanepoel and Smalls have shared a professional history spanning years, including appearances in Victoria's Secret runway shows and other fashion industry events. Their longstanding association has made speculation about their friendship a topic of interest among followers of both models. Meanwhile, Brady's Instagram message has attracted attention amid the discussion, but its intended meaning remains unclear.
