A viral elevator clip has fans convinced Carmelo Anthony might be stepping out with model Racquel Smith after she posted the moment to Instagram, sparking an avalanche of comments and comparisons to his past relationships.
A new romance might be in the air—or at least that’s what the internet is betting after a quick, glossy elevator moment that went viral.
In the footage, Carmelo Anthony is seen alongside model Racquel Smith as they wait for an elevator. Smith records the scene on her phone with the flash on. and in the clip. Carmelo can be seen smiling as they walk into the elevator. The two also appear to be dressed in coordinated all-black looks. Smith wears a satin top with a thigh-high split skirt. while Anthony pops in a black bucket hat. a polo shirt. and pants.
Smith kept her Instagram post simple: the carousel caption read “This…” and she added the hashtag “#deserved.” The post quickly turned into a comment section stampede, with people calling out Anthony after he showed up in the viral video on the fifth slide.
The comments were instant and emotional in typical social-media fashion. Instagram user @love_miacedesj wrote, “Carmelo 😮 ok ok! 🔥🔥.” Instagram user @bakerbynature413 added, “Woooooooooooo….Carmelo Anthony????? Ok Rockie….😍😍😍.”
Others leaned into the idea that seeing him with someone new would make them happy. Instagram user @sheraeaka wrote, “My friend is happy, and that makes me happy 🥰.” Instagram user @buggati_baze commented, “My boy Melo struck gold 🔥👏.”
Some viewers couldn’t help but notice the styling. Instagram user @miaangel_ said, “step momma steppinnnn’ in that skirt, okay! 🖤,” while Instagram user @librascale1019 wrote, “I love this for both of y’all. Blessings ❤️🙏🏽and Mel don’t be publicly outside with anyone! 🥰.”
There were also messages of recognition and support—Instagram user @kkk_nikkie said, “Is that Carmelo? Beautiful ❤️❤️,” and Instagram user @jacquelinekelly8015 added, “Beautiful, okay Melo 🤗👏🏾.” Another commenter, @onlyv1_, kept it simple: “As long as they’re happy 😍.”
To understand why the clip hit so hard, a bit of background helps. According to TMZ. Racquel Smith is the widow of Will Smith. a New Orleans Saints football player who was fatally shot and killed during a 2016 road rage incident. Smith survived the shooting after suffering injuries during the attack. Authorities convicted Smith’s killer after the incident, and the man is currently serving time in prison.
Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony—fans know—was previously married to La La Anthony. They were together from 2010 until she filed for divorce in 2021. Anthony and La La have a son, Kiyan Anthony. Anthony also has a daughter, Genesis, with Mia Burks.
With those histories in the background, the viral post didn’t just spark “who’s who” curiosity—it turned into a full-on “we hope he’s happy” moment for a lot of people watching from the sidelines.
Carmelo Anthony Racquel Smith dating rumors viral video Instagram carousel NBA model La La Anthony Kiyan Anthony Genesis Anthony Will Smith widow
That elevator clip is enough to say they’re dating?? lol
So she posted “This…” and everyone’s like detectives 😂. I mean they’re both dressed black, that could be anything, right?
Wait people are mad at him for being seen with somebody? He’s been famous forever, like y’all can’t just let a man exist. Also the skirt part?? I’m just saying outfits get people worked up.
I don’t trust any of this, it’s probably PR or something. One viral slide in an elevator and suddenly it’s “romance”?? Next they’ll be saying he’s engaged like it’s a court date. But I will say the bucket hat look was kinda random for an elevator—like why flash the whole thing then.