Is Joel Embiid Engaged? Details About The 23-Year-Old Swimsuit Model He Was Caught Kissing
Ben Simmons isn't the only 76er dating models.
instagram Is Joel Embiid engaged? Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin sparked rumors when he posted a photo of Embiid kissing a model — but who is Anne de Paula, the model in question?
If we’ve learned anything about the 76ers players in the past few months, it’s that they have a type: models. While we’ve most recently heard about Ben Simmons dating Kendall Jenner, it appears those two broke up in September 2018.
But no worries, we have a new 76ers couple to talk about: Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula.
Though Embiid was previously linked to Rihanna (at least, in his dreams), De Paula has recently been seen courtside supporting Embiid. A new Instagram photo that Rubin uploaded suggests the two might be getting serious.
1. She’s a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model
In 2017, de Paula made her debut as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model after winning the media brand’s model search competition. The Brazilian model was totally surprised by her win, telling Fox News in 2018, “I didn’t even expect to win the Model Search last year, to be honest. I was one of the least followed models on Instagram for them.”
She said despite the very minimal attire required for her photoshoots, her family is proud of her and that may have something to do with her Brazilian background. “Brazilians are very open-minded when it comes to the size of a bikini… Nobody judges you,” she explained. “My parents love the photos. My mother has a big photo in the house right in the living room of me just wearing body paint...My grandmother and grandfather? They had loads of copies of the magazine.”
2. She originally wanted to be a doctor
De Paula isn’t just beautiful — she’s smart, too! In fact, growing up, her goal was to become a doctor. “I grew up in a family that all worked in health. My mother does X-rays, my dad’s a nurse. My uncle is a cardiologist,” she told Fox News. “Growing up, I looked up to them and I wanted to be just like them… And I’ve always loved babies. So I always thought I would be helping babies come into the world. That’s what I had in mind.”
In fact, she said “modeling came last” when it came to her choice of careers. Not a bad backup plan!
3. De Paula and Danny O'donoghue broke up in September 2018
De Paula was most recently linked to Danny O'donoghue, lead singer of the band The Script. According to The Sun, de Paula and O’donoghue first met when de Paula appeared in a video for the band’s song “No Good in Goodbye.”
According to The Sun, the breakup wasn’t all that amicable as O’donoghue’s sister reportedly came after de Paula on social media after de Paula posted a selfie captioned “looking at bae” on Instagram. “Don’t disrespect my brother ever again like that,” O’donoghue’s sister wrote.
The Sun reports that de Paula and O’donoghue’s relationship was largely on-and-off.
4. Is de Paula engaged to Joel Embiid?
Despite only recently getting together, de Paula and Embiid’s relationship might be serious. Sixers co-owner Rubin posted a photo in October 2018 congratulating the couple on their engagement.
However, it’s likely the caption is a joke, posted during a winner’s high after the Sixers 1-point win over the Orlando Magic. “This is what winning on every level looks like!” Rubin wrote.
Micki Spollen is a YourTango editor and entertainment news writer. She also runs the travel blog Where In The World Is My Drink.