Model and entrepreneur Draya Michele
Model and entrepreneur Draya Michele Draya Michele/Facebook

Draya Michele's relationship with NBA star Jalen Green has once again come under the spotlight following a viral couple's quiz interview that reignited online debate. The 40-year-old model and entrepreneur, who shares a child with the 23-year-old basketball player, is facing renewed scrutiny from the public over their 17-year age difference. The couple's dynamic has triggered a mix of amusement and criticism across social media platforms.

Draya Michele's Age and Relationship Timeline

Michele, born on 23 January 1985, first gained public attention through the reality series Basketball Wives LA and later expanded her career as a fashion and wellness entrepreneur. Green, born on 9 February 2002, plays professionally for the Phoenix Suns and is considered one of the NBA's emerging talents.

The pair were first linked romantically in 2023, and in 2024, they welcomed a daughter named Lyght. Despite the couple maintaining a relatively private profile, public interest has grown steadily due to the considerable age gap and Michele's high-profile status.

Viral Interview Sparks Renewed Attention

On 22 July 2025, Whistle published a couples' quiz featuring Michele and Green, showcasing their chemistry through a series of casual and playful questions. In one exchange, Michele jokingly claimed she was the better driver, stating, 'I've had a driver's license your whole life'. The moment, intended to be humorous, quickly drew attention online.

Another segment revealed that Green had initiated the relationship by messaging Michele first, a detail that further fuelled curiosity and criticism among viewers. Clips from the interview rapidly circulated across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok, leading to the couple trending in the United States.

Social Media Criticism and Gendered Double Standards

Public response to the video was divided. Some users reacted positively to the couple's interaction, while others accused Michele of overstepping boundaries.

Critics also questioned whether the same scrutiny would apply if the genders were reversed, pointing to a perceived double standard in public attitudes toward age-gap relationships. While older male celebrities dating younger women has long been normalised in Hollywood, the reverse often draws more significant backlash.

Draya Michele Responds to the Criticism

Michele has previously acknowledged the challenges of being in the public eye. In a recent statement published by Inquirer USA, she said: 'Sometimes, you know you can read things that are hurtful and you want to just let it roll off, but it doesn't always work like that'. She also added that she gets it but noted that she is still 'human' and still 'have feelings'.

Despite online criticism, Michele continues to focus on her career and family life. She recently relocated to Phoenix following Green's trade to the Suns and has spoken publicly about the responsibilities she undertook to manage the move and support her partner.

Beyond her personal life, she has also invested in wellness brand Sereniby, which focuses on clean air technology for infants.

The Wider Conversation on Celebrity Age Gaps

The renewed attention on Draya Michele's age and her relationship with Jalen Green comes amid wider discussions about power dynamics and age disparities in celebrity relationships. While such pairings are not uncommon, the tone of public discourse varies depending on gender, status and context.

This latest wave of criticism highlights ongoing tensions around how society views older women dating younger men, especially when children and fame are involved. Michele's situation has, inadvertently, become a case study in how digital culture processes unconventional relationships.

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