Leah Williamson Just Hard-Launched Her Girlfriend Elle Smith and the Internet Lost It.
When footballing star Leah Williamson made a public post with Elle Smith — the former Miss USA turned journalist/model — the internet really took notice.
The moment
On 24 September 2025, Williamson shared an Instagram carousel from the Ballon d’Or Féminin 2025 ceremony in Paris showing her and Smith together. In one shot, Williamson holds Smith’s hand; in another, Smith laughs into Williamson’s ear.
Smith also posted images from that evening — including one where the two gaze into each other’s eyes while holding hands.
That post was widely read as a “hard-launch” of their relationship: not just hints, not just rumours, but a statement in images.
Why people are reacting
Williamson, the captain of the England women’s national football team (the Lionesses) and a public figure, coming out in this visible way carries significance. She came out as bisexual in 2022 and has been visible as an LGBTQ+ advocate.
Smith is a high-profile figure in her own right: ex-Miss USA 2021 and media personality. Their pairing brings together women from sport and pageant/ media worlds.
The way the post was styled — hand-holding, affectionate photos, public event backdrop — gives the sense of “this is real” rather than speculative. Social media reacted accordingly.
Fans’ response
The reaction across social platforms has ranged from joyful to ecstatic:
> “Hard launchhh!!” one fan exclaimed.
Another: “Quite possibly the most beautiful couple on earth.”
Posts celebrating their photos emphasised support, love, happiness — particularly in the LGBTQ+ fan community.
What we don’t know
Despite strong signalling, neither Williamson nor Smith has officially, verbally confirmed “we are in a relationship”. Some outlets still speak of “rumoured girlfriend”.
The timeline of their friendship versus the romantic link is not completely clear. Rumours have circulated for months (holiday snaps, Instagram interactions) and this post appears to take things to another level.
Why it matters
Representation: A well-known athlete making a visible affectionate post with a female partner sends a message to younger fans, especially in women’s football, where LGBTQ+ visibility is still growing.
Cultural moment: With social media as the main stage, these “hard launches” (where a couple go public in a definitive way) are now part of how celebrities manage their private/private-public lives.
Humanisation: Fans get to see more than the athlete in sport mode — they see the person, the off-field life, the relationships. It deepens connection.
What might come next
More posts together: Travel pics, red carpet appearances, match-attending photos. Some outlets suggest they already holidayed together (Majorca 2025).
Potential official confirmation: As the public posts accumulate, the relationship may shift from “rumoured” to acknowledged in interviews or media.
Impact on fan discourse: Fans may relate to this pairing in different ways — some will celebrate, some will dive into speculation, others may critique. But the visibility is now there.
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