England women’s football national team captain Leah Williamson can be identified by her authoritative playing style on the pitch, captaining the Lionesses, and advocacy for women’s sport and LGBTQ+ rights. Off the pitch, though, the public have been curious about her own life, including her rumored romance with American beauty queen and ex-Miss USA Elle Smith.
Although they have never publicly admitted to being in a relationship, Twitter posts, vacation photos, and cuddly conversations have sparked rumors that the two may be dating. This is what we know to date.
Leah Williamson: Pride and Privacy
Leah Williamson came out publicly as bisexual in 2022 and has since become an vocal LGBTQ+ advocate for inclusion in football. She has competed on international duty with the rainbow captain’s armband and has discussed the necessity of safe spaces in sport. Open on identity but little-discussed on dating life, Williamson rarely comments on romantic relationships.
She has, however, been linked to other players like Jordan Nobbs, Keira Walsh, and Mason Childs but none of these were ever confirmed. Her romance with Childs was especially remarked upon as being deeply embedded in competitive and childhood football but without romantic confirmation.
Who Is Elle Smith?
Elle Smith is a beauty queen, reporter, and model who was voted Miss USA 2021 and competed for the United States at Miss Universe, where she finished in the Top 10. She became famous through her work with mental health, body positivity, fashion, and media to gain a huge following.
Smith’s theatrical public life and glamorous persona are a universe away from Williamson’s gritty football existence, but the two are obviously very tight—only more so on social media, it appears.
Early Life & Education
Elle Smith is from Ohio, Springfield, and she has a biracial family since her father is Black and her mother is white. She was a high school graduate from Shawnee High School in the year 2016. There, she was involved in choir, orchestra, drama, and volleyball.
She then continued to pursue her studies at the University of Kentucky, where she graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. She was a Vice President during her college years at the National Association of Black Journalists University Chapter.
Career in Journalism
After college, Elle was a television reporter on the air for WHAS-TV, which is an ABC affiliate in Louisville. She covered Southern Indiana and quickly became popular for being professional and kind. Having journalism as her background gave her an extra push in pageant because of public speaking and interviewing.
Pageant Journey
She became involved in pageantry when her high school friend was crowned Miss Ohio Teen USA in 2013. She signed up, however, only in 2021 when she participated in her very first pageant, Miss Kentucky USA, and emerged a winner.
Miss USA 2021
Elle from Kentucky participated in Miss USA 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
She was declared the national winner, the second lady from Kentucky to be crowned Miss USA.
Her final round winning response addressed environmental sustainability, where she emphasized macro-level corporate civic responsibility and micro-level personal action.
Miss Universe 2021
Elle represented the United States as Miss USA at Miss Universe 2021, where she placed in the Top 10, once again demonstrating to be international in appeal.
Personal Information
She has also spoken out publicly on the topic of being biracial and representation and identity. She spoke about her Miss Kentucky USA win as a “full-circle moment” when she learned that her Black relatives were slaves in Kentucky before she relocated to Ohio.
She also owes a huge debt to Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst. Elle was especially inspired by Kryst’s confidence, activism, and taking up space as an unapologetic biracial woman on the pageant stage.
Relationship with Leah Williamson
Elle is also dating England women’s national captain Leah Williamson currently. Elle and Leah’s relationship has been open, after Elle posted cozy birthday greeting and holiday photos taken in Majorca on social media, unleashing global adoration.
Their union has been hailed as authentic and transparent, especially among the LGBTQ+ population. Leah publicly revealed her bisexual orientation in 2022, and the two have since then become an icon of queer visibility in sport and entertainment.
Social Media & Public Image
She is on Instagram by the handle @officialellesmith, where she shares pictures of her travels, model shoots, and everyday life. She often gives us a glimpse of her colorful personality, awareness work, and fashion sense in her photographs.
Elle Smith Net Worth
Elle Smith has a net worth of $2–3 million USD, as estimated in 2025. Journalism, modeling, pageant winnings, endorsements, and social media endorsements are some of her sources of income. Her popularity on media and fashion sites continues to grow, adding to her wealth incrementally.
Support On and Off the Pitch
It is further alleged that Smith freely supported Williamson football career. Three days ago, just before the last game of Euro 2025, she had put up a selfie wherein she is wearing a personalized England jersey with a message, which was “Live, Laugh, Leah”. It was universally interpreted by the fans as a very personal gesture.
Williamson, on his part, has shared photos of Smith smiling and laughing, and this suggests that their relationship is not only romantic but also very nurturing. When highly performing athletes are under pressure all the time, having someone who understands the pressures of the public life can be reassuring.
Still No Official Confirmation
But while all the proof has been mounting, Williamson and Smith have never publicly confirmed the affair. They’ve avoided interviews or talk about their personal lives, instead choosing to let their behavior—and their Instagram accounts—speak for themselves.
This is maybe discretion by design. Both women are living high-profile lives, and privacy allows them to have private lives outside of scrutiny. It also indicates a broader trend among celebrities who prefer to “soft launch” relationships rather than make official statements.
Final Thoughts
Leah Williamson and Elle Smith’s rumored affair is a thrilling blend of beauty, glamour, and truth. Though they’ve chosen not to publicly come out, something their journey does. In a society that is short of representation and truth, their tale—be it romantic or simply friendship—is a comforting reminder that love in its whatever form is worth worshipped.
