Groupies have long been part of NBA culture. Some dismiss this phenomenon as a mere myth based on their experiences, but the overall consensus is that they are real.
Ayesha Curry has seen it for himself with her husband, Stephen Curry. And she has long accepted that it’s unavoidable, especially for a player of his superstar status. They will always try to shoot their shot with the four-time champion. So much so that groupies hounding her husband is no longer what bothers her.
In May 2019, Ayesha caused quite a stir online after admitting on the show “Red Table Talk” that she envies the attention her husband receives from women.
“Something that really bothers me, and honestly has given me a sense of a little bit of an insecurity, is the fact that there are all these women, like, throwing themselves [at him]… But me, like, the past 10 years, I don’t have any of that,” she said.
“I have zero… This sounds weird, but, like, male attention. And so then, I begin to internalize it. And I’m like, is something wrong with me?” Ayesha added.
Ayesha points to her insecurity
When Ayesha made those comments, she had been married to the Golden State Warriors legend for over seven years. They started dating in high school and have been together ever since, without any partners in between. And she is well aware of what the Baby-faced Assassin is like off the court.
The two-time MVP has earned a reputation for being just as joyful and charismatic as he is ruthless and competitive. But once the buzzer sounds and #30 becomes Wardell — the father, the husband, the man behind the superstar — much of that personality remains. According to Ayesha, he is talkative — just the way women want it.
“Stephen is very nice by nature,” she said. “Obviously, you know the devil is a liar. The ladies will always be lurking, hoping for their moment and waiting…I honestly hate it.”
On the show, she gave another side to her discomfort with groupies. Because she is married, most men do not attempt to pursue or flirt with her. And this becomes a source of insecurity for her, leaving her doubting her physical looks and attractiveness.
But don’t get it wrong, though: she is happily married to Steph.
“I don’t want it,” she said. “But it’d be nice to know that someone’s lookin’.”
Related: Larsa Pippen fired back at critics of her marriage to Scottie Pippen: “Just bc I don’t air his dirty laundry doesn’t mean it doesn’t stink”
Steph defended Ayesha
Of course, people on the internet reacted. They did not appreciate her comments, highlighting the fact that she is a married woman with three kids. They believe she should not be seeking attention from other people and that Steph’s should be enough.
Following the backlash, she had to defend her comments, saying that she was just being honest.
“I have never been one to cage my feelings and emotions to any capacity. I am human,” she said in an Instagram post. “It brings me pure joy to speak my mind, be vulnerable at times and to know myself inside and out.”
Stephen also came to her defense, posting a picture of him and his wife together on his Instagram story, along with a message of support.
“Proud of you for being authentic and putting yourself out there – not being afraid of the potential bull s#*# and nonsense that could and did come at you,” he wrote. “Way more positive than negative with all of this. Keep being you. I love you.”
Fast forward to today, Ayesha and Stephen have been married for nearly 15 years. The actress still makes controversial comments every now and then, while rumors about their marriage continue to circulate, such as claims that they’re in an open marriage, which she has already shut down.
Related: Marcus Jordan claimed Michael Jordan gave blessing to relationship with Larsa Pippen: “He’s never intervened in my dating life and he’s not going to start now”
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
