Stephen A. Smith is everywhere. You can't turn on a TV or scroll through social media without seeing his face or hearing that unmistakable, booming voice. He's the king of sports media, the face of ESPN’s First Take, and a man who seemingly never sleeps. But for all the millions of words he speaks into a microphone every year, he’s remarkably quiet about one specific topic: his love life.
If you’re looking for a name to attach to the title of Stephen A. Smith girlfriend, you’re going to find a lot of smoke and very little fire. That’s by design. Stephen A. isn't your typical celebrity who posts "soft launches" on Instagram or walks every red carpet with a new flame. Honestly, he’s a bit of an enigma in an era where everyone overshares.
He’s been linked to co-hosts, seen on vacations with "mystery women," and hit with every rumor in the book. Yet, as we head into 2026, the status of his heart remains one of the best-kept secrets in entertainment.
The Molly Qerim Rumors: Why They Won't Die
The biggest "conspiracy theory" in sports media involves his longtime co-host, Molly Qerim. Fans have been shipping these two for years. They have chemistry. They bicker like a married couple. They even occasionally show up to the set in matching outfits, which sends the internet into a total tailspin.
📖 Related: Desi Arnaz Jr 2025: Why Hollywood’s Most Famous Son Is Stepping Back into the Spotlight
But let’s be real for a second. Both of them have denied it—repeatedly. Smith has been very vocal, calling the rumors "ridiculous." In late 2025, when Qerim left First Take amid contract disputes, the rumor mill went into overdrive. People claimed they broke up, or that the tension was too much.
The truth? There’s zero concrete evidence they ever dated. Smith once joked on air that if they were dating, it would be a compliment to her because "they know my taste." That’s peak Stephen A.—turning a dating rumor into a flex about his own standards.
The "Special Lady" in the Shadows
While he denies the Molly rumors, he hasn't claimed to be a monk. In fact, he’s dropped some breadcrumbs. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show and later in various interviews throughout 2025, Smith admitted there is "someone" in his life.
He refers to her as a "special lady," but he won't give up the name. Why? Because he says you won't know who she is until she’s "Mrs. Stephen A. Smith."
He’s been spotted by paparazzi exactly once in a way that felt "real"—back in 2023, he was seen vacationing in Barbados with an unidentified woman. Since then? Total radio silence. He doesn't bring her to the ESPYs. He doesn't mention her on his podcast. He protects that relationship like it’s a state secret.
Why He’s Never Been Married (In His Own Words)
It’s wild to think that a 58-year-old man with his level of success has never walked down the aisle. He’s been engaged once—long ago—but it didn't work out. He told GQ it just "didn't happen."
He’s surprisingly honest about why he stayed single for so long. He works. A lot. We’re talking 330 days a year.
- He’s on First Take 240+ days.
- He does NBA Countdown.
- He has his own podcast.
- He pops up on Fox News and CNN to talk politics.
He once admitted that back in the day, when he was on the road 200 days a year, he knew he couldn't be faithful. He didn't want to violate marital vows he knew he wasn't ready to keep. That’s a level of self-awareness you don't usually see from TV personalities. He chose his career over a wife, basically admitting he was "married to the grind."
The Real Leading Ladies: Samantha and Nyla
If you want to know who the most important women in his life are, look no further than his daughters, Samantha and Nyla. For years, the public didn't even know they existed. He kept them completely hidden until 2019.
Today, they are teenagers, and they are the only people who can actually shut him up. Samantha has even appeared on his podcast and roasted him in front of millions. He credits his daughters with giving him a "new lease on life" after his mother, Janet Smith, passed away in 2017.
What to Actually Expect in 2026
So, is there a Stephen A. Smith girlfriend right now? Probably. Is she someone famous? Unlikely.
Smith has expressed a lot of interest in the "traditional" path lately. He says he wants to get married. He wants that peace at home. But he’s also 58 and worth a reported $20 million a year with his new contract. He’s a "booty, leg, and hip man" (his words, not mine) who values discretion above all else.
If you're waiting for a big reveal, don't hold your breath. He’s spent thirty years building a wall around his private life. He isn't going to tear it down for a TikTok trend.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
- Don't believe the clickbait: Any headline claiming "Stephen A. Smith Marries Molly Qerim" is almost certainly fake or based on a joke from the show.
- Watch the Podcast: If he ever does reveal his partner, it will be on his own terms on The Stephen A. Smith Show, not a leaked Page Six report.
- Respect the Boundary: Smith has proven that you can be the most famous person in sports media and still keep your family private. It’s a blueprint for modern celebrities.
The next time you see him debating LeBron's legacy, just remember: while he's telling you everything he thinks about the Lakers, he's keeping the most important parts of his life entirely to himself. And honestly? Good for him.
Key takeaway for fans: Stephen A. Smith is currently single in the eyes of the public, but privately "taken" by a mystery woman he intends to protect until he’s ready for marriage. He prioritizes his two daughters, Samantha and Nyla, over any public romantic displays. Moving forward, expect him to maintain this "fortress of privacy" while focusing on his record-breaking ESPN contract and his growing media empire.