Madison Pettis Discusses Past Relationship with NBA Star Michael Porter Jr. on Podcast
Actress Madison Pettis recently ignited widespread online discussion after speaking candidly about her past relationship with NBA player Michael Porter Jr. during a podcast appearance. The former child star reflected on the relationship while chatting about basketball and dating athletes on the show In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele. Her blunt description of the breakup quickly captured attention across both sports and entertainment circles, adding a personal dimension to Porter's public persona.
Timing and Context of the Conversation
The conversation arrived at a time when Porter continues to draw headlines away from the basketball court. The Brooklyn Nets forward has been outspoken in several podcast interviews over the past year, often discussing relationships and social topics. Pettis' comments provided another layer to that ongoing conversation, offering a glimpse into their relationship that took place years before Porter entered the NBA. This revelation comes as Porter remains a key scoring option for Brooklyn and a frequent topic in media discussions.
Background on Madison Pettis
Madison Pettis built her career in entertainment long before stepping into more mature acting roles as an adult. Born in 1998, she entered the industry as a child performer and gained national attention through several Disney projects. Many viewers first recognized Pettis for playing Sophie Martinez in the television series Cory in the House. She also appeared in the family comedy The Game Plan alongside Dwayne Johnson, where she played Peyton Kelly.
Pettis has appeared in shows such as Life with Boys and Lab Rats, while also working in voice acting projects including Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Her career later moved toward more adult-oriented roles, including the Netflix film He's All That. Beyond acting, she keeps up with professional basketball and described herself as a fan of the Golden State Warriors during the podcast conversation. Pettis explained that she often watches games through NBA League Pass and follows the league closely.
Podcast Revelation: Calling Porter a 'Psychopath'
During the podcast discussion, host Owen Thiele asked Pettis whether she could see herself dating another athlete. The question led her to recall her previous relationship with Michael Porter Jr., who was a future NBA player at the time. When the topic shifted toward relationships with athletes, she responded with striking candor.
"I mean, my ex is now in the NBA. When we dated, he was in high school and college. I broke up with him before he was in the league because he was a psychopath. 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, you know, their passion," Pettis stated.
Pettis and Porter dated from late 2016 through mid-2017, before the forward entered the NBA Draft and began his professional career. Porter later joined the league in 2018 and has since become a prominent figure in basketball. The forward has drawn attention in recent years for comments shared during interviews and podcast appearances, including discussing personal tactics he sometimes uses when dating.
Impact and Public Reaction
Pettis has rarely discussed the relationship publicly in the past, making her recent podcast appearance one of the first times she has openly reflected on that period of her life. Her comments have sparked reactions across social media and sports forums, with fans and commentators debating the implications for Porter's image and the broader dynamics of dating athletes. The story highlights how personal revelations from celebrities can intersect with sports narratives, creating buzz that transcends traditional entertainment news.
As both Pettis and Porter continue their careers in acting and basketball respectively, this episode serves as a reminder of how past relationships can resurface in public discourse, especially in the age of podcasts and social media where candid conversations often go viral.
