Tried to laugh it off, but something needs to be said: Stephen Curry releases statement supporting wife Ayesha Curry amid backlash over her onscreen kiss

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry on Wednesday, November 11, released his first statement supporting his wife Ayesha Curry amid backlash. Curry called out former athletes Nick Young and Gilbert Arenas by name to defend his wife from comments about her onscreen kiss.

Ayesha recently starred in her very first feature film, the Christmas film ‘Second Chance Holiday’ in the lead role. The film follows Ayesha’s character Chelsey trying to break the “curse” of always getting broken up with during the holiday season and reconnecting with her high school sweetheart.

The release of the film was followed by several people criticizing Ayesha for her onscreen kiss with her co-star Matthew Daddario. Others have been harsher in their criticism, according to The Spun citing Basketball Network, Arenas said, “When you’re talking about ‘American Family’ right? He is the definition of what everybody sees as a father,” referring to Curry. He went on to call Ayesha the “only blemish in the family” and compared her to other athletes’ wives including Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

Curry calls out backlash

Stephen Curry posted a video to his Instagram account addressing the “noise” about his wife and people trying to step on Ayesha’s acomplishment. Along with the video he also posted her photos from what seemed like the premier of her latest film.

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A post shared by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30)

Calling out her critiques, Curry said “anybody else who feels the need to jump in and give an opinion on something you don’t really know about.” He added that their criticism directly spoke about the “bigger conversation” on how they view women and what women are “allowed to do and not do.” He further called out their “ignorance” about how acting works.

Curry added that he tried to laugh it off but decided that something needed to be said. “Every time Ayesha Curry shows up in your headline, I kindly suggest you give congratulations.” He further added that maybe the apology could be as loud as Young and Arenas’ starting their show with the topic.

“Thank you for the free promotion,” Curry said concluding his post.

Also read: Stephen Curry is one of the world’s highest paid athletes with a $350 million net worth : Here’s a look into the Warriors star’s earnings outside NBA and charity efforts

Ayesha earlier responded to the criticism

Ayesha has appeared on screen several times, including on ‘Hannah Montana’, ‘Good Luck Charlie’ and even in 2026 film ‘GOAT’. Earlier she responded to a clip of her kissing Daddario going viral on X, saying, “It’s not even real…You guys are annoying,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Ayesha and Stepehn Curry first met in 2003 as teenagers while attending the same church group. They have been married for 15 years and share three children with each other.