Tom Brady's new romance with Candice Swanepoel causes a bitter fallout between the Victoria's Secret model and her 'inseparable' best friend of 15 years Joan Smalls

He became one of the world’s most eligible bachelors after finalising his divorce from Gisele Bündchen in October 2022, ending their 13-year marriage.

Now, it appears Tom Brady has moved on with another Victoria’s Secret model.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that the retired NFL star, 49, has been dating Candice Swanepoel, 38, for 'some time'.

Despite Gisele, 46, also having been a model for the iconic lingerie brand, she reportedly does not view her ex-husband’s new romance as a violation of 'girl code'.

However, the same cannot be said for Candice’s best friend of 15 years, Joan Smalls, who has also been romantically involved with the former quarterback.

Joan was reportedly seeing Tom on and off for some time, but Candice is said to have encouraged her close friend to end things with the NFL star.

In a surprising twist, however, Candice appears to have had a change of heart when it came to her own opportunity to date Tom, who now works as a Fox NFL analyst.

PEOPLE revealed on Sunday that Tom and the model are being extremely cautious when they spend time together in a bid to keep their romance under wraps.

'They've been dating for a while now,' PEOPLE said. 'They both live in Miami, so it's very convenient. They're spending a lot of time together.'

Another source added: 'Candice and Tom have been dating for months. She's been very secretive and selective about who she's told about their dating. 

'When they have met up, they've gone [to great] lengths not to be spotted.'

According to the source, the pair are also bonding over their roles as parents. 

Tom shares son Benjamin, 16, and daughter Vivian, 13, with Gisele, and son Jack, 19, with ex Bridget Moynahan. 

Meanwhile, Candice shares sons Anacan, 10, and Ariel, eight, with ex Hermann Nicoli.

But their budding romance has driven a wedge between former BFFs Candice and Joan.

Joan is said to be incensed and is reportedly telling her and their mutual friends to pick sides.

The former friends have been close for 15 years, sharing numerous catwalks throughout their decorated modelling careers. 

However, sharing a man appears to be one step too far for Joan.

The latest report of the rift between Joan and Candice comes after DeuxMoi first sparked speculation that the pals were feuding.

Last week, eagle-eyed fans first spotted that the longtime friends were no longer following one another on Instagram.

'You're not friends anymore with Candice?' one fan asked in the comments section of Smalls' page.

According to gossip site Deuxmoi, Joan responded in a since-deleted comment, 'I'm not friends with backstabbers.'

In another deleted comment, Joan also appeared to suggest that Candice had broken 'girl code'.

'And the disrespect and carelessness in how they treat you is so unimaginable,' she allegedly continued, according to a screenshot published by Just Jared.

'There's no going back. Some people lack humility and moral compass. And the way they gaslight, lie and minimise your feelings is the worst slap in the face after 15 years of friendship. Not a sorry said or written. Onwards and upwards!'

The Daily Mail contacted representatives for both Joan and Candice at the time but did not receive a response.

Both women walked in the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, although there were no photos of them interacting together from the event.

They have previously modelled together, including teaming up to front a joint campaign for Anne Klein just last year.

However, while Joan seemingly sees the relationship as a betrayal, Brady's ex-wife reportedly has no issues with her former husband's new flame.

Gisele does not view the relationship as a 'betrayal', insiders familiar with the situation reportedly told TMZ.

While the two models have been supportive and friendly with one another throughout their careers, their professional relationship never developed into a close friendship, the sources added.

They also reportedly have not been seen together in recent years, making suggestions of a feud over Tom a bit far-fetched.

The models never walked Victoria's Secret's iconic runway shows at the same time as Gisele retired from her contract in 2006 – one year before Candice would make her debut. 

The seven-time Super Bowl champion was married to Gisele from 2009 until their divorce in 2022. 

A new book recently revealed the devastating untold story behind the end of their relationship.

Following his divorce from Gisele, Tom has been linked to Kim Kardashian, Irina Shayk and a rumoured romance with Alix Earle.

He remained quiet about his love life earlier this year, telling People in January: 'I don't have much time for a personal life or much time for myself, but I love working, and I love my kids.

'I like to be busy and try to really stay fulfilled in the things I'm doing, so I'm working on some really cool projects and I'm involved with some great teams of people that are doing some really positive things.

'My oldest [son] is 18. But seeing him thrive and grow, and there's nothing greater for a parent when you're seeing your kids do well. I'm so blessed in so many parts of my life.'

Meanwhile, Candice had been in a long-term relationship with Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli after they first met in 2005.

She had been 17 at the time of meeting Nicoli, who was 23, as they both were pursuing their careers in the modelling industry.

After nearly a decade of dating, the former couple became engaged in 2015. But three years later, it was confirmed that the two had gone their separate ways.