You’ve seen him on First Take. You’ve heard the screaming, the "Stay off the weed" rants, and the absolute dismantled logic he brings to the NBA. But lately, the internet has been chewing on something else. People aren't just talking about his Knicks takes anymore. They are asking: is Stephen A. Smith gay? It's a question that pops up in Reddit threads and Twitter replies every time he shows up in a sharp suit or mentions his private life—or lack thereof. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how much we care about the romantic lives of people who talk about sports for a living. But that’s the world we live in. Let’s actually look at the facts instead of the "trust me bro" comments on TikTok.
The Straight Shooter: What Stephen A. Has Actually Said
Stephen A. Smith literally wrote a book called Straight Shooter. He’s not exactly a guy who hides his opinions. When it comes to his own sexuality, he’s been pretty blunt. On several occasions, he has explicitly stated that he is not gay.
During a segment on First Take back in 2022, while discussing a controversial tweet from Lamar Jackson, Smith had to clarify his stance. He actually apologized for using the term "homosexual" instead of "gay," noting that he was learning about the preferred terminology of the LGBTQ+ community. In that same breath, he said: "I’m not a homosexual, so I’m not going to define what’s offensive to them or not."
Short. To the point. No room for "maybe."
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Welven Da Great: Is He Still Alive and Where Is He Now?
He’s also been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, which some people—ironically—take as "evidence" of something else. But if you listen to him, he frames it as a civil rights issue. He’s said he’ll fight for the LGBTQ+ community just like he fights for the Black community. To him, right is right.
Why do the rumors keep flying?
People get weirdly suspicious when a man reaches his 50s and hasn't had a televised, tabloid-ready wedding. Stephen A. is 58. He’s never been married. In a world where we expect every celebrity to have a "First Lady" by their side, his singleness feels like a "clue" to some people.
It isn't.
He’s actually talked about this. He’s admitted that he’s a workaholic. The man is on TV or radio basically 24/7. He once mentioned in an interview that he was engaged once, but it didn't work out. He didn't give the name. He didn't give the date. He just moved on. That's his vibe. He’s private.
Dating Rumors: From Molly Qerim to the Unknown
If you want to know who Stephen A. is actually linked to, the list is short and mostly consists of rumors he’s already shot down.
The biggest one? Molly Qerim.
For years, fans have been convinced they were a secret item. They have great chemistry on air. They dress well. Sometimes they even accidentally coordinate their outfits. In late 2025 and early 2026, the rumors spiked again after some podcasters made baseless claims about her exit from certain projects.
Smith didn't let that slide. He addressed it directly, calling the rumors "ridiculous." He joked that if people think they are dating, at least it’s a compliment to his taste because Molly is beautiful. But he was clear: they are just close friends and former colleagues.
- The Engagement: He was engaged once in his past. It didn't lead to marriage.
- The "Secret" Life: He has two daughters, Samantha and Nyla. He didn't even reveal he was a father until 2019.
- The Work Ethic: He has stated that his career often took precedence over settling down.
A Glimpse into his Life as a Father
The most "real" Stephen A. gets is when he talks about his kids. He has two teenage daughters. For a long time, nobody even knew they existed. That tells you everything you need to know about how he handles his personal business.
✨ Don't miss: Celebrities affected by LA fires: What Really Happened to Hollywood’s Most Iconic Homes
He told GQ that his daughters gave him a "new lease on life" after his mother, Janet Smith, passed away in 2017. He describes himself as a "single father." He’s proud of it. He’s protective. He doesn't even let them watch First Take without permission because he doesn't want them seeing him "go off" on someone.
The Bottom Line
So, is Stephen A. Smith gay? Based on every piece of actual evidence, his own public statements, and his history—no. He is a single father who is married to his career and fiercely protective of his family’s privacy.
The rumors mostly stem from a mix of his private nature and the fact that he hasn't followed the traditional "celebrity marriage" path. But as he often says on his show, you can't just make up your own facts.
💡 You might also like: The Brutal Truth About Bugsy Siegel and Virginia Hill
If you're looking for the "actionable insight" here, it's basically this: don't confuse privacy with a secret. In the age of oversharing, Stephen A. Smith is a rare breed who keeps his home life at home.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check out his memoir, Straight Shooter, for his own account of his upbringing and the engagement that didn't work.
- Follow his podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, where he occasionally drops more personal anecdotes than he does on ESPN.
- Respect the hustle—the man works more hours than most of us sleep.