The internet exploded back in September 2022. One TikTok video from an Instagram model named Sumner Stroh basically set the celebrity news cycle on fire for weeks. She looked straight into the camera and dropped a massive bombshell: she claimed she’d had a year-long affair with Adam Levine.
Wait. The Maroon 5 guy? The one married to Victoria’s Secret angel Behati Prinsloo?
Yeah, that one. Honestly, the timing couldn't have been worse. Behati had just announced her third pregnancy only days before the video went viral. People were absolutely livid. But when you ask, "Did Adam Levine cheat?" the answer depends entirely on how you define the word.
He didn't exactly deny everything. But he didn't admit to a physical affair either. It's a messy middle ground that has kept people talking for years.
The Sumner Stroh Allegations: Where it All Started
Sumner Stroh didn't just tell a story; she brought receipts. She shared screenshots of Instagram DMs that were, frankly, pretty cringe-worthy. In one message, Levine allegedly told her, "It is truly unreal how f***ing hot you are. Like it blows my mind."
But the part that really made everyone’s jaw drop?
She claimed that after they stopped talking for a while, Levine popped back into her DMs with a question that felt straight out of a soap opera. He reportedly asked if he could name his soon-to-be-born son "Sumner." He followed it up with "DEAD serious" and a shrugging emoji.
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Stroh said she felt "exploited" and "manipulated." She claimed she was young and new to the LA scene at the time. However, she also faced a lot of heat. Critics pointed out that she knew he was married, yet she continued the relationship for nearly a year. She eventually apologized to Behati, saying she wasn't the one who was really getting hurt—it was the wife and the kids.
Adam Levine’s Response: "I Crossed the Line"
Levine didn't stay quiet for long. He posted a statement on his Instagram Story to "clear the air." He admitted to using "poor judgment" in speaking with anyone other than his wife in a "flirtatious manner."
"I did not have an affair, nevertheless, I crossed the line during a regrettable period of my life."
That phrase—"crossed the line"—became the center of the whole debate. To him, it was about inappropriate messages. To the rest of the world, it sounded like a semantic loophole. He called his actions "naive and stupid" and insisted that his family was all he cared about.
Shortly after his statement, Stroh posted a cryptic message on her own story: "Someone get this man a dictionary."
She clearly wasn't buying the "no affair" defense.
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It Wasn't Just One Person
As soon as the floodgates opened, more women started coming forward with their own screenshots. It turned into a full-on digital pile-on.
- Alyson Rosef: She shared TikToks of messages where Levine allegedly told her he "shouldn't be talking to her."
- Maryka: A comedian who posted DMs where Levine reportedly told her, "I'm now obsessed with you." When she asked if he was married, he allegedly replied, "Yeah, but it’s complicated."
- Alanna Zabel: His former yoga instructor from years ago (2007-2010) claimed he sent her a text saying he wanted to spend the day with her naked.
- Ashley Russell: A 21-year-old fitness influencer who said Levine would view and reply to her workout stories almost daily before deleting the messages.
The sheer volume of these allegations suggested a pattern of behavior rather than a one-time mistake. It painted a picture of a man who used social media as a playground for validation, even if he wasn't always physically meeting up with these women.
Did Adam Levine Cheat? The Public vs. Private Verdict
So, did he cheat? If your definition of cheating is having a full-blown physical relationship, we only have Stroh's word against his. He says no; she says yes.
But if you consider emotional infidelity or "micro-cheating" (sexting, flirting, seeking outside attention), then the evidence is pretty overwhelming. Most people would agree that asking a former mistress if you can name your child after her is a massive betrayal of trust, regardless of whether clothes were ever dropped.
Surprisingly, Behati Prinsloo stayed.
They were spotted together shortly after the scandal broke, looking unified. They welcomed their third child, a son, in early 2023. It seems they chose to work through it privately, away from the TikTok commentary and the "Team Behati" hashtags.
Actionable Takeaways: What We Can Learn
Celebrity scandals usually just feel like cheap entertainment, but this one actually sparked some real conversations about boundaries in the digital age. Here is how to handle similar "gray area" situations in your own life or relationships:
- Define Your Boundaries Early: "Crossing the line" means different things to different people. Talk to your partner about what constitutes cheating for you. Is it a DM? A "like" on a bikini photo? A late-night text? Don't wait for a scandal to find out you're on different pages.
- The "Front Page" Test: A good rule of thumb for digital behavior is: would you be okay with this message being read aloud in front of your partner? If the answer is no, you're already in dangerous territory.
- Accountability Matters: If you do mess up, own it. Levine’s apology was criticized because it felt like he was trying to minimize his actions by avoiding the word "affair." True reconciliation requires total transparency.
- Social Media is Not Private: Nothing you send online is ever truly gone. Screenshots are forever. If you’re a public figure—or just someone with a lot to lose—remember that your private "vulnerabilities" are only one click away from being public property.
At the end of the day, the Levine saga serves as a massive reminder that even the most "perfect" Hollywood marriages have cracks. Whether it was a full affair or "just" inappropriate DMs, the damage to his reputation was done. He’s still touring and making music, but for a huge portion of the public, he’ll always be the guy who tried to name his baby after his mistress.