Leah Williamson, Lionesses’ Star Captain, Charms Fans with Adorable Peek into Her Romance with Former Miss USA Elle Smith
In the high-stakes world of women’s football, where every tackle and goal can make headlines, Leah Williamson has always been a beacon of grace, grit, and unapologetic authenticity. As the captain of England’s Lionesses, the 28-year-old Arsenal defender has led her team to glory, including a triumphant UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 victory in a nail-biting penalty shootout against Spain in Basel, Switzerland.
But on September 22, 2025, as the dust settled from the glamorous Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, it was a tender, off-pitch moment that truly captured hearts. Williamson, arm-in-arm with her girlfriend, former Miss USA Elle Smith, stepped onto the red carpet in a display of effortless elegance and palpable affection. The couple’s synchronized smiles and subtle glances spoke volumes, offering fans a rare, heartwarming glimpse into the romance that’s been quietly blooming for over a year.
The evening’s footage, quickly going viral on X (formerly Twitter), showed Williamson in a sleek black gown that hugged her athletic frame, her signature blonde waves cascading perfectly. Smith, the 27-year-old Kentucky native and 2021 Miss USA winner, complemented her stunningly in a shimmering emerald dress that caught the flashbulbs like fireworks. As they ascended the iconic steps, Williamson’s hand lingered protectively on Smith’s lower back—a small gesture that fans dissected with glee. “Leah Williamson and Elle Smith are an unbelievably attractive couple like 10/10 face cards do not decline,” tweeted one admirer, echoing the sentiment rippling across social media.
It’s no exaggeration; the pair’s chemistry is electric, blending Williamson’s tomboyish charm with Smith’s poised, pageant-honed poise.
Their story didn’t start on a red carpet, though. Rumors of a romance first swirled in early 2024, when eagle-eyed fans spotted them together at exclusive events and whispered about shared vacations. By March 2025, Smith “hard-launched” the relationship with a swoon-worthy Instagram post for Williamson’s birthday: a sun-drenched video of the couple lounging on a sea float, Williamson’s head nestled in Smith’s lap, waves lapping gently around them. “Happy birthday my love x,” Smith captioned it, prompting an explosion of comments like “Hard launchhh!!” and “Quite possibly the most beautiful couple on earth.”<grok:render card_id=”19ad93″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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</grok:render> Williamson, ever the cool captain, responded with a simple heart emoji, but her beaming smile in the clip said it all.
From there, the “soft launch” evolved into a series of adorable breadcrumbs. In May, after England’s dominant 6-0 thrashing of Portugal, Smith shared a photo of Williamson draped across her lap, medal gleaming, with Williamson commenting, ” Fans melted. Then came the Majorca holiday in June, a sun-soaked escape ahead of the Euros. Smith’s carousel of beachside bliss included paddleboard snaps of the duo laughing amid turquoise waters and a candid dinner-date shot of Williamson looking dashing in linen.
“Same time next year?” Smith teased in her caption, to which Williamson replied, “Yes please!”—a playful affirmation that sent shippers into overdrive.
These moments weren’t just cute; they humanized a star who’s often seen as invincible on the pitch.
Williamson, who came out as bisexual in 2022 amid her vocal LGBTQ+ advocacy, has always worn her heart on her sleeve. A vocal supporter of queer rights, she’s used her platform to champion inclusivity in football, from Stonewall campaigns to mentoring young players. Smith, represented by elite agency Wilhelmina Models, brings her own sparkle: a trailblazer who leveraged her Miss USA crown for philanthropy, focusing on mental health and women’s empowerment.
Their union feels like a modern fairy tale—two powerhouses from different worlds (Kentucky pageants meet North London pitches) finding common ground in mutual admiration and shared adventures.
The Ballon d’Or appearance marked a milestone: their first major public outing as a couple. Joined by Arsenal teammates Lia Wälti and Mariona Caldentey, they posed effortlessly, but it was the quiet intimacy between Leah and Elle that stole the show. Videos captured them whispering during interviews, Smith’s hand squeezing Williamson’s as nominees were announced. Though Williamson didn’t clinch the women’s Ballon d’Or (that honor went to another Lioness), the real win was evident in her post-ceremony glow. “Grateful for the magic tonight,” she later posted on Instagram, tagging Smith with a string of hearts.
Fans, starved for such vulnerability from their idols, flooded timelines with adoration. “Leah Williamson and Elle Smith are too attractive. They must be stopped,” one X user quipped, while another declared them “the hottest lesbian couple of all time.”
It’s a sentiment that underscores the couple’s appeal: in an era of performative celebrity, their authenticity shines. Williamson’s journey—from a knee injury sidelining her for the 2023 World Cup to captaining the Euro triumph—mirrors the resilience she brings to love. Smith, navigating the cutthroat modeling world, adds a layer of glamour without overshadowing her partner’s spotlight.
As the Lionesses gear up for World Cup qualifiers, expect more glimpses: perhaps courtside at Arsenal matches or cozy date nights in London. For now, this red-carpet reveal feels like a love letter to fans, reminding us that behind the captain’s armband beats a heart as fierce in romance as it is on the field. In a year of triumphs, Leah and Elle’s story is the sweetest victory yet—a testament to love’s power to charm, unite, and inspire. Who knows what holiday snaps await next? One thing’s certain: we’ll be watching, smiling, and rooting for more.
