Will you believe if we tell you that the best relationships start with a simple DM? Well, okay, maybe that’s not quite an age-old proverb, but in the case of Winnie Harlow and Kyle Kuzma, it sure rings true!
If someone had predicted that a supermodel and an NBA star would find their happily ever after during a global pandemic, you’d have likely gotten a few skeptical side glances. But then again, love works in mysterious ways—sometimes through a direct message on Instagram, a private jet, and some very cute roses.
From missed messages to quarantine FaceTime dates, their bond went from slow motion to full-speed ahead—like a fast break straight to the hoop. Here are 5 juicy, hilarious, and downright heartwarming, surprising facts about Winnie Harlow and Kyle Kuzma.
5. How Kyle Kuzma took a shot in DMs & won Winnie Harlow’s heart
A love story that began on Instagram? Sounds like something straight out of a millennial romance novel. Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow’s first interaction was sparked by a message from the NBA player to Harlow back in March 2020. And he didn’t waste any time—he slid right into those DMs. But it wasn’t just any casual text.
Kuzma sent a picture of Harlow and later followed up with a message that set the stage for their relationship. “At the top of quarantine, he DMed me again… He shot his shot. He slid in the DMs,” Harlow recalled during her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021. She added:
That was cute. I was like, ‘Oh hey, how’s quarantine been?’
Here’s the twist—Kuzma had actually messaged her a year earlier, but Harlow never saw it. The latter explained:
I don’t know what the glitch in the system with Instagram is, but that never came up for me.
Thanks, Instagram glitch! But once they finally connected, they didn’t dilly-dally. Their virtual chats quickly morphed into marathon FaceTime calls, and the sparks flew from the get-go. Kuzma even admitted that their first real conversation was on a private plane when he flew Harlow from Brooklyn to L.A. in April 2020. He explained (via GQ Couples Quiz):
The pandemic [had] just started, and this was at the time nobody was flying in airports because it was like low-key sketchy. So, I was like, ‘Alright, well, you need to fly out here private.’ This was the first time we met. I really wanted to see her and the safest thing was that jet. And that’s how we found love.
And that’s how they found love.
4. Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow didn’t just fall in love—they built it
You know the phrase, “actions speak louder than words”? Well, Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow lived it. It wasn’t all flowers and chocolates right off the bat; they put in the work to create something real. After spending weeks chatting on FaceTime, they finally met in person in 2020. They were stuck in the midst of a pandemic, but they made it work. And when they met, it was like a scene from a rom-com—minus the cliché.
Their relationship, which started off quietly, quickly turned serious. Harlow told PEOPLE:
I think what makes us work is [that] Kyle is such a relationship guy. He’s so All-American, super sweet.
In fact, it wasn’t until Harlow was ready to wind down for bed that Kuzma dropped the “girlfriend” bomb. “Can I cuddle with my girlfriend?” he asked, to which she responded with a mix of surprise and acceptance:
And I was like, ‘Girlfriend. Oh, okay, sure. There we go. I guess it’s a wrap now. Hang up my jersey. [That’s] how we ended up in a relationship.
Girlfriend. Oh, okay, sure. Guess that’s the final whistle blown then!
Their bond only grew stronger over time, and soon enough, they were inseparable. Harlow supported Kuzma through every challenge. She was there for him in the bubble during the pandemic when everything in the world seemed uncertain.
In fact, that’s when she realized just how much she cared for him. Kuzma admitted that the only thing he really needed during that time was Harlow. “In the bubble, we can only have family members,” he said (via GQ Couples Quiz), explaining that the maximum number per player was four attendees.
But she came. That’s all I kinda really needed over that little time … That’s when I found out she loved me though, because she had to quarantine for four days in a three-star hotel.
Since then, Harlow has been his biggest cheerleader, sticking by his side through thick and thin, and always having his back.
3. Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow are a match made in fashion heaven
Let’s be honest—every relationship has that one thread that ties it all together. For Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow, it was fashion. Their mutual love for style didn’t just bring them closer, it took their personal flair to the next level. Kuzma, already a star on the basketball court, turned to Harlow for her expert eye on his wardrobe.
“One thing I have learned is how to completely finish a look correctly,” he said in a June 2023 interview with Highsnobiety (via People).
Winnie is very detailed with every single thing, [from] what the accessories look like [to] what attitude to rock with it. She’s really leveled up my energy.
And it wasn’t just a one-way street. Kuzma would FaceTime Harlow for styling tips, asking her opinion on everything from shoes to jackets. The best part? They enjoyed this shared passion so much that it became a bonding ritual. The Canadian fashion model confessed:
He’ll try on his outfits on FaceTime with me and be like, ‘Do you think this hat or this hat? What about these shoes with this ’fit?’
It’s safe to say their relationship isn’t just about love—it’s about personal growth and evolving together in every way, even when it comes to their fashion sense.
2. Winnie Harlow is Kyle Kuzma’s biggest cheerleader, on and off the court
When it comes to supporting each other, these two go all in. Winnie Harlow is Kyle Kuzma’s number-one fan. Her love and encouragement have been evident from the get-go, whether she’s attending one of his games or sharing heartfelt messages about his accomplishments. One of her most touching tributes came on their first Valentine’s Day together in 2021, when she called Kuzma “the best boyfriend a girl could ask for,” adding (via Instagram):
But her support didn’t stop there. As Kuzma’s career continues to rise, Harlow is there every step of the way. Whether it’s holding a cutout of his face at a game or proudly celebrating his accomplishments off the court, she’s a constant source of strength and positivity. And her support isn’t just about his career—it’s about his growth as a person.
“So proud of you and your growth in all aspects, from work to family to love,” she wrote in a heartfelt birthday message (via Instagram) in 2024.
1. Kyle Kuzma pops the question: a dreamy proposal in Turks and Caicos
And now for the cherry on top—Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow are officially engaged! The couple hit a major milestone in February 2025 when Kuzma popped the question during a dreamy getaway to Turks and Caicos. True to Kyle Kuzma’s style, he didn’t just go for a run-of-the-mill proposal. He made sure it was one for the books!
He went all out with a private jet, roses, balloons, champagne, and a heartfelt poem that ended with those magical words (via Vogue):
Will you be my wife?
Harlow was caught off guard but in the best way. “I still had no idea what this was,” she admitted to Vogue, recalling how she thought the gesture was just a sweet Valentine’s Day surprise. When Kuzma read the last line of the poem, it all clicked. “We’re over the moon,” Harlow said, and honestly, so is everyone else.
The 8.5-carat oval-cut engagement ring was the icing on the cake, adding even more sparkle to an already gorgeous love story.
Kyle Kuzma and Winnie Harlow have tossed the rulebook out the window when it comes to modern romance. From sliding into DMs to popping the question mid-flight, their love story is a seamless amalgamation of chemistry, loyalty, and just the right touch of star power.
Here’s to their love climbing the ladder of success with no ceiling in sight!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
