It was the "holy fing f" heard 'round the world.
In late 2022, the internet basically imploded when a series of screenshots featuring the Adam Levine instagram dm style of flirting went viral. It wasn't just that a married rock star was allegedly sliding into DMs—it was how he did it. The phrasing was so specific, so thirsty, and frankly, so meme-able that it shifted from a standard tabloid cheating scandal into a full-blown cultural moment.
Honestly, we’ve seen celebrity scandals before. But this one felt different because it was so... cringey.
What Really Happened With the Sumner Stroh Video?
Everything kicked off when Instagram model Sumner Stroh posted a TikTok that currently lives in the "Hall of Fame" for viral whistleblowing. She claimed she had a year-long affair with Levine. To prove it, she flashed screenshots of their messages.
The kicker? The "naming" request.
According to the Adam Levine instagram dm leaks, the Maroon 5 frontman allegedly messaged Stroh after they hadn’t spoken for months to ask if he could name his unborn child after her. He wrote: "Ok serious question. I’m having another baby and if it’s [a] boy I really wanna name it Sumner. You ok with that? DEAD serious."
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People were floored. At the time, Levine’s wife, Victoria’s Secret model Behati Prinsloo, was pregnant with their third child. The sheer audacity of wanting to name a baby after a former flame while your wife is carrying that baby? That’s some next-level drama.
The Floodgates Opened
Stroh wasn't the only one. Within days, several other women came forward with their own receipts.
- Alyson Rosef shared messages where Levine allegedly said, "I shouldn't be talking to you you know (right)?"
- A comedian named Maryka posted screenshots where the singer allegedly told her, "Now I’m obsessed with you." When she asked about his marriage, he reportedly replied, "Yes, but it's a bit complicated."
- Ashley Russell, a fitness influencer who was 21 at the time, claimed he messaged her daily, usually around 10 p.m., after seeing her on the Explore page.
The Statement: Crossing the Line vs. Having an Affair
Levine didn't stay silent for long. He took to his Instagram Stories to "clear the air," and his choice of words became almost as famous as the DMs themselves.
He admitted to using "poor judgment" and "crossing the line," but he flat-out denied having a physical affair. He called it a "regrettable period" of his life.
"I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period in my life," he wrote. "In certain instances it became inappropriate."
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This distinction—the "emotional affair" vs. "physical affair"—sparked a massive debate online. Is it still cheating if you’re just sending "absurd" compliments to 20-somethings on Instagram? Most of the internet seemed to think so. The phrase "that body of yours is absurd" became a permanent fixture in the digital lexicon, used to mock the "Maroon 5 of sexual DMs."
Why This Scandal Stuck Around
We have to talk about why this stayed in the news cycle for so long. It wasn't just the infidelity. It was the "Wife Guy" branding.
Adam Levine had spent years leaning into the image of the reformed bad boy who was now obsessed with his supermodel wife. When that image shattered, it felt like a betrayal of the brand. Experts in media psychology, like Dr. Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, often talk about parasocial relationships—how we feel like we know these celebrities. When they do something this "un-cool," the backlash is usually twice as hard because the fans feel personally lied to.
Also, the DMs were just... weirdly written. They sounded like a teenager trying to be edgy. "It is truly unreal how f***ing hot you are. Like it blows my mind." It wasn't the sophisticated rock star vibe people expected.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that this led to a divorce. It didn't.
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Despite the public roasting, Behati Prinsloo stayed. They were spotted together shortly after the news broke, and they eventually welcomed their third child (no, they did not name him Sumner). This happens more often than you’d think in the world of high-profile celebs. The "we're working through it privately" approach is the standard PR playbook for a reason.
The Digital Fingerprint of the DM
What can we actually learn from the Adam Levine instagram dm saga?
First off, "Delete for Everyone" is not a security feature. Several women noted that Levine would often "unsend" messages or delete them after they were read, but screenshots are forever. If you're a public figure, your private messages are basically public record the second you hit send.
Secondly, the "Discover Page" is a trap for the bored and famous. Ashley Russell pointed out how weird it was that a 43-year-old married man was hunting for fitness accounts on his Explore feed. It highlights a specific kind of digital behavior that feels "small" for someone of his stature.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights from the Fallout
If there’s any takeaway from this whole mess, it’s about digital boundaries and the reality of modern relationships.
- Define "The Line" Early: If you're in a relationship, have the "what counts as cheating" talk before a scandal happens. Does a "flirty" DM count? Does liking a bikini pic count? Everyone’s boundaries are different.
- Screenshots are the New DNA: Never send anything in a DM that you wouldn't want to see on a billboard in Times Square.
- Recognize Manipulation: Sumner Stroh talked about feeling "exploited" and "manipulated" because of the power dynamic. It’s a good reminder to be wary of high-status individuals who use their platform to initiate private, inappropriate conversations.
- Transparency is Key: If you’ve "crossed a line," the Adam Levine approach of a quick Instagram Story might stop the bleeding, but it won't fix the reputation. Real accountability takes time and consistent action, not just a Notes app apology.
The Adam Levine story ended up being a lesson in the "cringe-factor" of celebrity life. It showed us that even the most polished stars can be remarkably human (and remarkably awkward) when they think no one is looking.
Next Steps for Understanding Celebrity Culture:
To get a better handle on how these digital scandals impact public perception, you should look into the "Wife Guy" phenomenon and how it has backfired for stars like Ned Fulmer or John Mulaney. It'll give you a lot more context on why the internet reacted so violently to Levine's messages.