Actress Madison Pettis has made striking allegations about her former relationship with NBA player Michael Porter Jr., characterizing him as a "psychopath" during a candid podcast interview earlier this month.
The 27-year-old former Disney Channel star appeared on the "In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele" podcast, where she discussed her history with professional athletes. When asked whether she would consider dating an NBA player, Pettis revealed her previous connection to Porter Jr., whom she dated from 2016 to 2017 when he was still in high school and college.
"I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath," Pettis stated during the interview. She expanded on her perspective regarding athletes as romantic partners, acknowledging a pattern she has observed. "I do think a lot of athletes are not great partners, but I wouldn't, like, rule it out because I do love what they do. I would have respect for them and love to talk to them about their passion."
Porter Jr., also 27, has not publicly responded to these allegations. The forward was drafted by the Denver Nuggets one year after their relationship ended and achieved significant professional success, winning his first championship with the team in 2023. He was subsequently traded to the Brooklyn Nets two years later.
The basketball player has garnered attention for controversial statements about his approach to dating. In a 2025 podcast appearance, Porter Jr. described exposing potential romantic partners to content from Andrew Tate, a polarizing internet personality known for promoting traditional masculinity and criticizing feminism, as a method of evaluating their compatibility.
"So, I'm not saying I'm a misogynist or anything, but I'll throw on some Andrew Tate and see how they react," Porter Jr. explained on the "One Night with Steiny" podcast. "I'll bring up, like, conversations and play devil's advocate just to see how this girl, like, thinks about certain things."
Porter Jr. has also expressed preferences regarding the dating histories of potential partners. During a September 2025 episode of his "Curious Mike" podcast, he indicated reluctance to pursue relationships with women who have previously dated other NBA players, citing concerns about comparisons and ego.
Pettis built her career as a child actress on Disney Channel and has continued working in entertainment, recently appearing in romantic comedies including "He's All That" and "The Wrong Paris." Her public comments represent a rare instance of a former partner directly criticizing an active professional athlete, highlighting ongoing conversations about relationship dynamics within the sports and entertainment industries.
The allegations underscore broader discussions about the challenges of maintaining healthy relationships in high-profile careers, particularly within professional sports where intense public scrutiny and demanding schedules can strain personal connections. Neither party has indicated plans for further public statements regarding their past relationship.