Olivia Ponton has been open about her sexuality for years, but now that she is dating Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, some fans are questioning her identity. The TikTok model and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit star came out as bisexual in 2021 and later as pansexual in 2022, but the recent confirmation of her relationship with Burrow has sparked accusations of queer-baiting.
Olivia Ponton's Dating History Resurfaces
In June 2021, Ponton came out as bisexual in a Teen Vogue interview, revealing she was dating Canadian soccer player Kaila Novak. She credited JoJo Siwa as her inspiration. The relationship with Novak ended, but Ponton continued discussing her sexuality openly. By 2022, she identified as pansexual, stating she is attracted to all genders and that sexuality is fluid. She said, "I love kissing all types of people," and asked fans not to invalidate her journey.
That was relatively drama-free until December 2024, when a burglary at Burrow's Ohio home brought Ponton into football headlines. She reported the break-in, and a police report listed her as an employee, though few believed that. By mid-2025, the two were spotted together at Formula 1 in Miami, Met Gala after-parties, and in New York City. They are now confirmed to be dating.
Fans Accuse Ponton of Using LGBTQ+ Identity for Clout
Some fans, particularly queer women who supported her, felt blindsided. Accusations of queer-baiting emerged, with critics arguing that her relationship with Novak was performative and that she used her LGBTQ+ identity for clout before dating a famous NFL quarterback. Some questioned whether her pansexual identity was genuine, calling it a brand move.
This debate often arises when a publicly queer woman ends up with a man. Pansexuality includes attraction to men, so Ponton dating Burrow does not contradict her identity. However, that logic has not stopped some from feeling betrayed, especially those who saw her as a rare openly queer figure in sports-adjacent influencer circles.
Ponton and Burrow have not made an official announcement, but consistent sightings confirm their relationship. She is with Burrow, and she is pansexual. Both are true.
