Why Ayesha Curry 'hated' spotlight as Steph Curry became an NBA star
During Wednesday's installment of the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast, the Sweet July founder explained that she couldn't stand being in the spotlight in the early stages of the point guard's career — adding that she dealt with ruthless fans, breaches of privacy and negative comments about her appearance.
'It's a double-edged sword because parts of it have afforded me doors to be opened,' Ayesha, 36, told host Alex Cooper. 'I obviously have to walk through them and put in the work to stay in them. But that, I think, would be the elephant in the room. I'm grateful for that side of things, but on the flip side, I — in the beginning, I hated it so much.'
Ayesha, who has been married to Curry, 37, since 2011, remarked how she and the 11-time NBA All-Star had different visions about the future that clearly evolved.
'I did not sign up for it. I also always thought that, I didn't know that he was going to end up playing basketball. He said he wanted to be a high school basketball coach. I thought I was going to be the girl out there getting it,' Ayesha said, laughing.
'So, I didn't know. And it was weird. Sports fans are so different than maybe entertainment world fans. And oftentimes, it's very ruthless so I wasn't expecting that either.'
5 Ayesha Curry explains the highs and lows she experienced when her husband, Stephen Curry, reached NBA stardom during an appearance on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast on August 19, 2025.
YouTube/Call Her Daddy
Ayesha, who has four kids with the four-time NBA champ, recalled a moment when she was nursing their daughter in the backseat of a car — and a fan opened the car door and spewed an insensitive remark.
'Stephen was putting a bike or something in the trunk, and this woman opens the car door and she sticks her head in and she [says], 'I just wanted to see the baby.' I'm like, 'Oh, excuse me,'' Ayesha recounted.
5 Stephen Curry and wife Ayesha Curry with their four kids in 2025.
Instagram/Ayesha Curry
'And she looks me dead in my face and goes, 'Oh, honey, you know what you signed up for,' and shuts the door on me. I was just crying because I'm postpartum. I was just bawling my eyes out. And I was like, 'Is this what it's going to be like?' So, the beginning phases were kind of scary for me.'
When asked if she had received scrutiny about her looks or her actions, Ayesha said, 'Oh, all the time.'
'I feel like I still do and that's OK. It was so depressing [early on], and also it was during that time when social media was just ramping up, so people were going buck wild — and just spewing opinions on things that didn't warrant opinions. I think for a while I was very critical of myself because of the things I was seeing,' she said.
5 Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry during the NBA offseason in May 2025.
Instagram/Ayesha Curry
Ayesha added that the Warriors star had been a solid support system for her.
'He's so gracious,' she said. 'He tries to resonate with me but he just can't. And he also comes from a place where, [he's like], 'It's f–king stupid. It's not true … it's not real''
The couple celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary last month.
5 Steph Curry and Ayesha Curry during the NBA offseason in June 2025.
Instagram/Ayesha Curry
Earlier in the podcast, Ayesha explained that she didn't see marriage and kids in her future because she was so consumed with her career as an actress and a desire to be an entrepreneur.
Longtime sweethearts, Ayesha and Stephen met at a church in Charlotte when they were teenagers.
They went on to welcome daughters Riley, 13, and Ryan,10, and sons Canon, 7, and Caius, 1.
Ayesha has since released cookbooks, launched the lifestyle brand and magazine 'Sweet July' and has her own show, 'Ayesha's Home Kitchen,' on Food Network.
5 Warriors guard Stephen Curry #30 puts up a shot over Knicks guard Josh Hart #3 during the third quarter 3/4/25 – Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks at at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 4, 2025.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Stephen is entering his 17th NBA season, all with the Warriors, after Golden State selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
The Warriors finished last season with a 48-34 mark, earning the seventh seed in the Western Conference before falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference semifinals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
2 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Acronym Trivia Quiz — BuzzFeed Quizzes
In case it's been a minute since English class — guilty — an acronym is a word formed from the first letters of each word in a phrase. Think ER = Emergency Room, or PDA = Public Display of Affection. Ever hear an acronym so often it just…stops feeling like an acronym? Your brain files it under 'regular word' and moves on. That was me with SCUBA. Turns out — it's an acronym. Wild, right? I found this out today, which apparently means I'm not the grown-ass adult I thought I was. Sure, I can cook and do my taxes, but this SCUBA had me shame-eating ice cream. I'm blaming it on the whole 'living in Toronto, nowhere near the ocean' thing. So, whether you're a SCUBA instructor or someone who couldn't tell me what ASAP actually stands for, it's time to put your acronym skills to the test. Here's the deal: I'll give you a common acronym, and you tell me what it means. That's it. Easy. LFG!! How'd you do? LMK in the comments — and be honest: Which acronym did you have no idea was FR an acronym? Anyone else in the dark about SCUBA? NGL, a few of these were news to me, too, so you're in good company. LOL. (I know, I know...I'm going way overboard with the acronyms. I'll GTFO!) For more fun content and quizzes, make sure you follow BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram for more!
Newsweek
3 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Insider Drops Jarring Contract Update for Al Horford, Warriors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The general consensus is that Al Horford will be signing with the Golden State Warriors some point in the near future and that both sides are waiting to see what happens with Jonathan Kuminga first before any decisions are made. However, NBA insider Jake Fischer has dropped a rather striking update on Horford's potential contract with the Warriors, revealing that it may be a more lucrative — and lengthier — deal than initially anticipated. More news: New Boston Celtics Owner Issues Tough Challenge to Joe Mazzulla "Al Horford's situation is a bit different, because depending on where the Warriors land in the cap tax situation, I believe he is slated to potentially make upward of the full taxpayer mid-level exception," Fischer said. "There has also been some discussion about whether or not he could potentially be receiving a two-year deal with a player option on his deal, as well." Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo byMost were surely expecting Horford to sign a one-year contract this offseason, so the fact that the 39-year-old — who considered retirement a couple of years ago — could potentially land a multi-year pact is certainly an interesting development. "So for Al Horford to potentially be getting a player option in all of this, and something north of the veteran's minimum, would certainly be a come-up for the near-40-year-old center," Fischer added. Horford spent the last four seasons with the Boston Celtics in what was his second stint with the team. He played in 60 games and made 42 starts last year, averaging nine points and 6.2 rebounds over 27.7 minutes per game on 42.3/36.3/89.5 splits. More news: Warriors Linked to Polarizing Move for 3-Time All-Star The wily veteran is surely not the same player he was during his prime years, but he remains a very valuable supplementary contributor and would represent a major pickup for a Warriors team that is knocking on the door in the Western Conference. It looks fairly inevitable that Horford will sign with Golden State at some point, but when that actually becomes official remains to be seen. For more on the Golden State Warriors and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Take Rome for First Haircut — And He Looks so Cute
Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Take Rome for First Haircut — And He Looks so Cute originally appeared on Parade. Dancing With the Stars pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy took their son Rome for his first haircut and shared the results on social media. "And just like that, we have a BIG BOY," Johnson captioned an Instagram post on Aug. 20. The ballroom pro included before and after photos of Rome, 2, who had been sporting shoulder-length hair with sweet curls for several months before getting a big boy cut. Johnson also shared a video of Rome enjoying a snack while getting his hair done. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy (@jennajohnson) Fans loved seeing Rome's transformation and couldn't get over just how adorable he looks. "AWWW he looks so cute," one person wrote. "I can't with the cuteness," someone else added. "You did so good in that chair Rome!!! So handsome. I can't believe how fast he's growing up," a third comment read. "I was not emotionally prepared for this post. Oh he's so adorable! He looks equally handsome both ways… but wow this makes him look so grown up," a fourth Instagram user said. Johnson and Chmerkovskiy will more than likely be part of Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, though their roles have yet to be confirmed. The full cast announcement — pros and stars — will be made on Sept. 3 on Good Morning America. The couple has won back-to-back Mirrorball Trophies, with Chmerkovskiy taking home a W with Xochitl Gomez on Season 32 and Johnson winning alongside Bachelor star Joey Graziadei on Season 33. Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy Take Rome for First Haircut — And He Looks so Cute first appeared on Parade on Aug 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
