Source Alleges Candice Swanepoel and Joan Smalls Were Kept Apart at Show
Candice Swanepoel, said by a source to be Tom Brady's girlfriend since May, and Joan Smalls were kept apart backstage at the October 18 Victoria's Secret show in Los Angeles. A source says organizers knew of the falling out. Representatives did not comment.
Candice Swanepoel, who an insider says has been Tom Brady's girlfriend since May, and fellow model Joan Smalls were kept apart backstage at the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on October 18, a source alleges. The source said the two were "isolated from each other backstage."
The pair were once "inseparable" over a 15-year friendship, according to a source. The split became public just days after the show.
Smalls called a fellow model a "backstabber" in an online comment obtained by DeuxMoi, after a fan asked whether the two were no longer friends.
The source alleges Victoria's Secret organizers had been prepped on the rivalry. "Everyone on the team knew in advance that they had a falling out and that Joan would not go near her," the source said. "Thats why you won't find one photo of them together at the show."
Brady at the center
A source says Smalls and Brady first met at Michael Rubin's Fourth of July party in 2024. They did not start dating until about six months later.
"She dated him casually on and off for almost a full year," the source said.
A source previously said Swanepoel had repeatedly tried to clip the wings on the relationship. She allegedly encouraged her friend to dump the Patriots great, who was previously married to Gisele Bündchen, a fellow Victoria's Secret Angel.
Swanepoel then gave Smalls a shoulder to cry on when things went south with Brady, the source alleges. Smalls was reportedly upset when Brady was spotted looking cozy with influencer Alix Earle at a St. Barts party ringing in 2026.
"Joan was hurt when she saw all the rumors," the source said. "She was sad and confiding in Candice about being hurt."
Adding to the sting, the source says, Swanepoel met Brady through someone in the fashion world. An insider previously said the pair have been together since May and that Bündchen is happy for the new couple.
Smalls' posts
Smalls has since been telling friends to pick a side, a source said. "It's just so insane and so messy," the source said.
She commented on a post about the drama: "Two words: 'SUMMER HOUSE!' That'll explain everything." The reference is to the Bravo reality show, whose most recent season showed Amanda Batula and Ciara Miller's friendship implode after Batula began secretly dating Miller's ex, West Wilson.
In a separate, now-deleted post captured by DeuxMoi, Smalls wrote there "was no girl code." She added that "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!!!"
Amanda Ruisi, a representative for Swanepoel, previously said: "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."
Swanepoel has two sons with her ex-fiancé, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli. Brady has two children with Bündchen and a son with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan. Smalls has no children.
Representatives for Victoria's Secret, Smalls and Swanepoel did not comment on the latest allegations.
