Things were less than heavenly behind the scenes at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last month.
A source alleges us that Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel were “isolated from each other backstage” at the runway extravaganza in Los Angeles on Oct. 18.
The split between the pair — who a source told us were “inseparable” over their 15-year friendship — became public just days later. Smalls called the fellow model a “backstabber” in an online comment, obtained by DeuxMoi, when a fan asked if they were not friends.
The source alleges us that Victoria’s Secret organizers had been prepped on the off-the-runway rivalry.
“Everyone on the team knew in advance that they had a falling out and that Joan would not go near her,” says our source. “Thats why you won’t find one photo of them together at the show.”
The source tells Page Six that Smalls and Brady first met at Michael Rubin’s star-studded Fourth of July party in 2024, but that they didn’t start dating until about six months later.
“She dated him casually on and off for almost a full year,” says the source.
We were previously told by a source that Swanepoel had repeatedly tried to clip the wings on the relationship, encouraging her friend to dump the Patriots great, who was previously married Gisele Bündchen, a fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Swanepoel even gave Smalls a shoulder to cry on when things went south with Brady, the source alleges.
We hear Smalls was upset when the football stud was spotted looking cozy with influencer Alix Earle ringing in 2026 at a party in St. Barts.
“Joan was hurt when she saw all the rumors,” says the source. “She was sad and confiding in Candice about being hurt.”
Adding insult to injury, we hear Swanepoel met Brady through someone in the fashion world.
The insider previously told us the pair have been together since May, and that Bündchen is happy for the new couple.
Smalls has since been telling pals to pick a side, a source told us.
“It’s just so insane and so messy,” our source said.
Smalls further went on the warpath online, commenting on a post about their drama, “Two words: ‘SUMMER HOUSE!’ That’ll explain everything.”
Long story short, the Bravo reality show’s most recent season showed Amanda Batula and Ciara Miller’s friendship implode after the former began secretly dating the latter’s ex, West Wilson.
Smalls also posted in a separate now-deleted message, captured by Deuxmoi, which said there “was no girl code.”
“And the disrespect and carelessness in how they treat you is so unimaginable. There’s no going back. Some people lack humility and moral compass,” she added in the post. “And 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 told us, “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 shares two sons with her ex-fiancé, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli. Brady has two children with Bündchen and shares a son with his ex-girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan. Smalls has no children.
Reps for Victoria’s Secret, Smalls and Swanepoel did not comment on this story.
The post Inside Joan Smalls and Candice Swanepoel’s backstage cold war at Victoria’s Secret show amid friendship fallout appeared first on Page Six.
