Was LeBron James caught kissing a man in Paris? Viral photo sparks debate

NBA's LeBron James' absence from the Lakers sparks speculation linking him to rumors.

LeBron James has once again found himself at the center of a viral social media storm, as a photo circulating online claims to show the NBA star kissing a man in Paris. 

LeBron James has recently been absent from the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup due to ongoing ankle soreness, a concern that has plagued him throughout the season. Social media speculation arose, with users claiming LeBron James is 'quitting' the Los Angeles Lakers and connecting his absence to Sean 'Diddy' Combs. LeBron, however, has not addressed these rumors. 

🚨#BREAKING: LEBRON JAMES PHOTOGRAPHED CAUGHT KISSING A MAN IS CONFIRMED TO BE REAL

⚠️ Grok confirms this image is not AI

⚠️ Is this why LeBron James went missing? pic.twitter.com/hD8fBEDUrY

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) December 17, 2024

The image being circulated is, in fact, a real photograph—not an AI-generated fake. However, the individuals in the photo are not LeBron James and another man. Instead, it features a couple from the United Kingdom—Andrew and Tosin—who are widely recognized as Tee and Drew on social media.

To set the record straight, this photo is neither recent nor newly surfaced, despite numerous claims suggesting otherwise. The original image was publicly shared by Tee and Drew on their X account on 11 December 2023, accompanied by the caption: “From Paris with love 🌹”.

Unfortunately, what began as a heartfelt post by Tee and Drew has been misappropriated and deliberately misrepresented. The couple originally shared the photo to celebrate their love, but trolls seized it and transformed it into fake gossip, falsely linking it to LeBron James.

This case underscores a concerning trend on social media, where images are stripped of context and twisted into salacious or misleading narratives for engagement. Users looking to capitalize on clicks and retweets often ignore the harm such misinformation causes.

Tee and Drew, the real individuals in the viral image, are a well-known gay couple from the UK with a growing presence on social media. They frequently post about their travels, love for one another, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, earning a dedicated following.