Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Chloe Kim Opens Up About the Surprising Connection That Led to Myles Garrett Romance

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 3:35 PM ET

Chloe Kim recently revealed the unexpected story behind how she and Myles Garrett first connected, giving fans a glimpse into the start of one of sports’ newest power couples. The Olympic snowboarding champion opened up about the surprising link that brought the two together, a story many people didn’t know even after their relationship became public.

Their romance first caught mainstream attention when Garrett, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and star for the Cleveland Browns, was spotted supporting Kim in person during the Olympics. Since then, fans have been curious about how the pair actually met. Now, Kim is sharing the behind-the-scenes story of how their paths crossed.

Chloe Kim of the United States celebrates her silver medal in the women's halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Snow Park.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Before Chloe Kim ever met Myles Garrett, the Olympic snowboard star says she had pretty much reached her breaking point with dating. In fact, Kim admitted she was convinced relationships just weren’t going to work out for her. Speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, she recalled joking about how dramatic she felt at the time. “I was like, ‘I can’t date anymore, I’m done… I’m just going to be single forever,’” Kim said, laughing about the moment. “I was being so dramatic.”

A Face Time That Led to a Relationship for Chloe Kim

Kim explained that finding a partner who understood her life had always been a challenge. Having achieved global fame at such a young age including winning Olympic gold as a teenager she often felt that her success made dating complicated. “I just want someone who isn’t intimidated by me and my success,” she shared, noting that past relationships sometimes struggled under the pressure that came with her high-profile career.

Chloe Kim of the United States walks with her snowboard and an American flag after the women's halfpipe final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The unexpected turning point came during the 2025 X Games when Kim vented about her frustrations to her therapist, Vin, who also happened to know Garrett. After hearing Kim describe her ideal partner, someone tall, kind, family-oriented, and successful Vin simply suggested the Cleveland Browns star.

What followed was a quick FaceTime introduction while Garrett was vacationing in Cabo. Kim initially thought it would be a one-time conversation, but things quickly evolved from there. Months later, Garrett was even spotted supporting her in person at the Winter Olympics, where Kim fought through injury to claim a silver medal. An unexpected start to a love story.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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