“I’m Not Even Into Girls.” DiJonai Carrington Speaks On Her Relationship With NaLyssa Smith
Carrington has sparked conversation after opening up about her sexual preferences in a podcast episode.
The WNBA might not be in season yet, but its star players are still making headlines. In the most recent episode of Chicago Sky power forward Angel Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington made a special guest appearance. The episode circled a variety of topics, where the two players discussed fan criticism of players’ appearances, teased a potential WNBA strike, revealed what it was like playing for the confrontational former Baylor coach Kim Mulkey, and more.
It was Carrington’s discussion of her sexual preference, however, that has sparked controversy across the internet. Her public relationship with fellow WNBA star NaLyssa Smith has brought adoration from fans, but now some are questioning Carrington’s flippant language. When Reese asked Carrington if she was always into girls, she defensively responded, “No. I’m not even like into girls.” And later continued, “Like I don’t be like ‘I’m gay, I’m gay’ like I’m not gay, I just like Lyss.”
Reese followed up, “So Lyss would never have to worry about you going with another girl?” To which Carrington replied, “No. Never. No, no. Or the guys.”
Related: 5 Things To Know About Unrivaled Star DiJonai Carrington: Astounding Academic to Activist Athlete
Carrington and Smith have been in an on-and-off relationship since they played together at Baylor University. Since May 2024, the two have been more public about their relationship on social media. Because of some shocking WNBA trades, the couple will play as teammates on the Dallas Wings in the upcoming WNBA season.
Fans on social media had a lot of confusing reactions to Carrington’s statement that she’s not “even like into girls” despite being in a gay relationship with Smith. Some have even raised questions about whether Smith was aware that Carrington felt this way.
One fan advised NaLyssa to “leave now” saying, “them ‘gay for you’ heartbreaks be the worst.”
dijonai said she’s not gay and doesn’t like girls she’s just in a relationship with a woman pic.twitter.com/hfuWFYZgv6
— reverie is tall n bitter ❤︎ (@sabueckers) March 8, 2025
DiJonai saying "I'm not gay I just like Lyss" pic.twitter.com/wCZQHNlTyq
— ✨️Lili✨️ (@demasiadamujere) March 8, 2025
Dijonai said I’m not gay I just like Lyss pic.twitter.com/GZah7DVfmG
— TQ (@teee_que) March 7, 2025
@zaytashon Lyss please brace yourself hun— this is about to be real rough 😮💨
♬ LMFAO – Da crackhouse
@1ts.red #fypp #foryou #wlw ♬ original sound – iloveeeethugg
Meanwhile, some fans also came to her defense, claiming Carrington’s wording wasn’t the best, but their relationship is their business.
everyone on tiktok is losing their minds over Dijonai saying this but like I understand what she's trying to say
— elle! (@wbb_wins) March 8, 2025
pic.twitter.com/RTkMNTPW4u
Who cares if Dijonai identifies as gay or not honestly, we as queer people spend all our time telling people to live their honest lives, and she’s being HONEST
— KJ (@kj__1996) March 9, 2025
Stop forcing labels on people when they’re very clear where they stand right now, it’s her business and no one else’s https://t.co/QkvpEdLdEp
While their relationship is their business, and people are free to identify themselves as they like, it’s important to also recognize and understand the harmfulness of these types of tropes and statements — especially how it might affect your partner.
