Suni Lee basically became a household name overnight when she stepped up in Tokyo and grabbed that all-around gold. But honestly, as her star power exploded, so did the curiosity about who she was hanging out with when the leotard came off. People want to know: who is Suni Lee dating right now?
It’s complicated.
Back in 2021, Suni "hard-launched" a relationship that sent social media into a total tailspin. She posted a photo with Jaylin Smith, a standout football player who was then at USC. The picture was simple. Just a couple of kids in black hoodies looking happy. But the reaction? That was anything but simple.
The Jaylin Smith Era and the Backlash
Suni hasn't had the easiest time navigating public romance. When she went official with Jaylin Smith, she faced a wave of intense, often ugly, backlash. It wasn't just random internet trolls, either. Suni actually spoke out on TikTok about receiving "so much hate" from within her own Hmong-American community because she was in an interracial relationship.
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She didn't hold back. She mentioned how people support her when it's "beneficial for them" but not when it comes to her actual happiness.
That kind of pressure changes a person. Shortly after the drama, those cute photos of her and Jaylin vanished from her Instagram. By late 2024 and moving into early 2026, the status of these two has been a massive question mark. Jaylin moved on to the NFL, getting drafted by the Houston Texans in 2025, but the digital trail between him and Suni has gone cold. They don't follow each other. They don't post each other.
In the world of Gen Z celebrities, an unfollow is basically a formal press release of a breakup.
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Who is Suni Lee dating now? The 2026 rumors
Since the quiet end of the Jaylin Smith era, the rumor mill has been working overtime. If you’ve spent any time on sports Twitter or "GymTok" lately, you’ve probably seen a few different names floating around.
- OG Anunoby: This was the big one for a while. Fans spotted Suni at several New York Knicks games, and suddenly everyone was convinced she was dating the power forward. Suni actually addressed this one directly. In an interview with Mirror US, she laughed it off, saying they are just friends. She’s tight with Karl-Anthony Towns and his partner Jordyn Woods, which explains why she’s often courtside at Madison Square Garden.
- Justin Jefferson: In late 2025, Suni sparked a frenzy when she showed up at a Minnesota Vikings game. Seeing as she’s a Minnesota legend and Justin Jefferson is... well, Justin Jefferson, fans started calling them "Minnesota Royalty." They were even seen together at the Minnesota State Fair. But so far? No confirmation. Just two home-state icons hanging out.
- Devin Booker: There were some whispers after the Paris Olympics when photos of her and Booker surfaced. Most experts agree this was just "Olympics vibes" and nothing more.
What Suni actually says she wants
Honestly, Suni gave us the best roadmap to her dating life during an appearance on the HAHA Podcast in late 2025. She admitted that she finds the guys swooning over her online "really funny," but she’s got specific standards.
She’s looking for someone about five years older than her. Why? Because she’s tired of "immature" guys. She wants an athlete—someone who understands the grind—but they have to be "emotionally intelligent." After everything she’s been through with her health and the pressure of the Games, she needs someone who can actually make her laugh and isn't scared to show their feelings.
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Why she keeps it low-key
You can't really blame her for being private. Between her battle with kidney disease and the public's reaction to her previous relationship, Suni has learned that protecting her peace is more important than "clout" or a cute couple's photo.
She’s currently living her best life, thriving in a post-Paris world where she finally realizes how good she actually is. Whether there's a secret boyfriend in the wings or she's just enjoying the single life while sitting courtside at NBA games, she’s clearly in control of the narrative now.
What to keep an eye on next:
- Social Media Activity: Watch for subtle "soft launches" on her Instagram stories, especially during the NFL or NBA off-seasons.
- Courtside Sightings: If she keeps showing up to the same team's games repeatedly, there might be more to the "just friends" story.
- Podcast Interviews: Suni has been more open in 2025 and 2026 than ever before; her guest spots are usually where the real tea gets spilled.