Kayla Rae Reid Confesses Close Ties With Molly Gillihan Before Lochte

Kayla Rae Reid disclosed that Ryan Lochte’s current partner, Molly Gillihan, was part of her social circle before the swimmer began a relationship with him. The revelation came in an interview conducted on August 13.

Reid said she first met Gillihan in Gainesville while working together on a real‑estate project for a kid’s café. The two shared many mutual friends, and Gillihan regularly followed Reid on social media, sending supportive messages and inviting her to hang out.

Reid, Gillihan started dating Lochte only weeks into the divorce proceedings that began in June 2025. During that time, Reid had confided in Gillihan about the split and described their conversation as an hour and a half phone call that helped her navigate the emotional fallout.

Reid described the situation as “quite sick,” noting that Gillihan had previously encouraged her after filing for divorce, praising her beauty and luck while also calling Lochte a coward. She said Gillihan’s support shifted when she learned of his new relationship with her former husband.

## Background and Timeline

Ryan Lochte and Kayla Rae Reid announced their divorce publicly in June 2025, after more than a decade of marriage. During the proceedings, Reid secured primary custody of their three children and continued to manage her career as a model‑turned‑real‑estate agent.

Gillihan entered Lochte’s life earlier, reportedly meeting him in 2019 while he was still married. In March 2024, Lochte issued a statement denying any infidelity, asserting that he had grown from past mistakes and was focused on personal improvement.

The two were engaged in June 2025 and now reside together in Missouri. Their partnership has brought a blended family dynamic, with Gillihan having children from previous relationships.

## Reid’s Allegations and Gillihan’s Response

Reid stated that she had known Gillihan since her college days and had helped her with real‑estate work for a café project. She added that Gillihan followed her on every social platform and often sent encouraging messages. Reid claimed that when she confided in Gillihan about the divorce, the woman later discovered she was dating Lochte.

Gillihan counters that she made it clear in 2019 that she was not interested in pursuing a relationship with a married man. She also said that Reid called her in 2025 asking if Lochte had been contacting her, and she listened out of sympathy for both parties.

Gillihan expressed regret over taking that phone call, describing it as a mistake.

## Statements from Lochte and Current Status

In March 2024, Lochte released a statement in which he denied any cheating with Gillihan. He said he had not been unfaithful to his ex‑wife and that he was working on himself daily. The statement was issued prior to the divorce announcement and before the engagement with Gillihan.

Lochte and Gillihan currently live together in Missouri and have engaged in building a family together. Reid remains focused on her children, who she has primary custody of, and has begun a new podcast venture titled “The Comeback Era.” She emphasized her intent to move forward without dwelling on past relationships.

Reid’s comments came amid an evolving narrative about the intersection of personal relationships and public personas. The situation illustrates how private interactions can become public when they involve well‑known figures.

Both parties have expressed a desire to focus on their respective futures, leaving the details of their pasts largely in the background.