A-Rod has always been a sucker for a pretty woman. But since hismuch publicized split from Jennifer Lopez in April 2021, there has been no-one serious in his life.
Over the past few weeks, however, he’s been gallivanting across Europe with Texas fitness model and bodybuilder Kathryne Padgett who, at 25, is 21 years his junior.
On Wednesday night, the couple was back at Lio nightclub on the party isle of Ibiza — just days after they were seen leaving the same venue in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Padgett posted to Instagram a photo of herself in a skimpy white dress and heels, writing “Round 2.”
And last week, the duo was caught making out on the dance floor at Taverna Anema e Core in Capri, Italy.
Also seen on the vacation are the former Yankees slugger’s ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis, and their two daughters: Natasha, 17 and Ella, 14. But don’t book the wedding chapel just yet. As a family source told Page Six: “Kathryne’s a great girl, but they’re not serious. They’re just dating. They’re having fun, that’s it.
“Alex is not exclusive with anyone at the moment,” the source added.
Texas-native Padgett is a competitive bodybuilding and shares a passion for fitness with A-Rod. Padgett and A-Rod also share a passion for travel — as evidenced by their recent jaunts around the world. InstagramDespite this, Alex Rodriguez has now unwittingly found himself at the center of a social media storm, in which Padgett’s best friend and sister have waded in to protect her reputation, as questions swirl about whether she dumped her ex for the former Major Leaguer.
Up until last year, Padgett, who hails from Beaumont, Texas. and has competed as a bodybuilder, was dating chemical engineer Ty Sheppard. Both their Instagram accounts were filled with photos of them cuddling up to each other.
But below a photo Sheppard posted of the pair to celebrate Padgett’s 25th birthday in October, he has now written in the comment section: “I think I know why I got dumped 2 days before Christmas now.”
“That’s messed up man, but at least you found out what kind of person she is before marriage and kids!” one commenter wrote. Sheppard’s reply: “Amen to that brother.”
The relationship between A-Rod and Padgett became public in early January barely weeks after she split from her longtime boyfriend; the timing, observers say, is curious to say the least. BACKGRIDOne more sniffed that A-rod is “just hitting it … don’t worry he will get tired of her also. She will be crying back to you soon.”
“Arod is just having fun! He won’t settle with Kathryne,” said another. “Oh will she find out in time!”
Given that Padgett was first spotted with A-Rod in January at a Packers game, weeks after splitting from Sheppard, some observers find the timeline questionable.
“So ending a year and a half relationship and then seen publicly dating A-Rod just a couple weeks later is…coincidence..sure,” wrote one.
Padgett and A-Rod have only been together for a few months, but the former slugger has already lavished her with luxury vacations including a journey in Italy on a yacht that reportedly rents for $441,000 a week.InstagramOne commenter added: “…She breaks up with Ty two days before Christmas on December 23 and less than a month later on January 22 she is at a Packers game with A-Rod … She and A-Rod were talking way before she broke up with this poor guy and she left him for A-Rod.”
Padgett’s sister Raegan — who A-Rod is now following on Instagram — even waded in, saying: “Ty’s a bad guy because he knows the truth and is now exploiting the situation to make Kat look bad … ” Still, a source who knows Ty Sheppard said: “Kat was at A-Rod’s house within three weeks of them breaking up.” Nonetheless, Sheppard says “I wish them both the best!”.
The new couple met after A-Rod messaged Padgett on Instagram, her best friend, Higgins, told Page Six. “They seem serious, but they’re having fun too. She did not cheat on Ty, it was just a very close timeline,” she added of the break-up.
Padgett did not reply to a request for comment.
Rodriguez and Padgett at the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals in May. The couple have appeared at numerous high-profile sporting events, including a January Packers game were they were first spotted together. Getty ImagesNo matter what the truth is, Padgett is having the last laugh after being flown to Europe and soaking in the Mediterranean sunshine.
This week, she shared an “insane video” from their yacht excursion on Instagram, writing: “Europe, you’re a keeper … Had the trip of a lifetime aboard the @samurai_yacht with the most incredible people.”
The starting price to charter the 60-meter Alia Yacht is $441,000 a week, according to the FGI Yacht Group’s website. It can sleep 12 guests with a crew of 15.
At one point, Rodriguez was filmed relaxing on the boat as he puffed on a cigar. The duo were seen jet-skiing and working out together.
Padgett, who maintains a strong Instagram presence, is the latest in a long line of Rodriguez flames including Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson and tech-inventor Anne Wojcicki. InstagramPadgett said that she was “blessed to have experienced the beautiful Amalfi Coast,” noting that she hit Naples, Sorrento, Positano and Capri in Italy as well as Corsica, St. Tropez and Nice in France.
Whether it’s serious or not, A-Rod does seem fond of Padgett. In April, the pair was spotted driving around Miami in Rodriguez’s red Porsche before being seen getting cozy at a Minnesota Timberwolves game two days later.
Rodriguez, who has previously dated a string of famous women including Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson and Anne Wojcicki, has been single since his split with Lopez, 52, last year.
They dated for nearly two years and blended their families before he popped the question in 2019, but, after prolonging their engagement due to the pandemic, the couple officially announced they were calling it quits in April 2021. This also came on the heels of rumors that A-Rod had cheated on the star, which he has denied.
Rodriguez and Lopez attend the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2020. The couple, who were once engaged, split in 2021 after realizing they “are better as friends.”WireImageIn February 2021, Rodriguez was accused of sliding into ‘Southern Charm’ star Madison LeCroy’s DMs, leading to flirty Facetime sessions.
LeCroy later admitted: “He’s never physically cheated on his fiancée with me,” adding that they would talk infrequently and their conversations were “innocent.” However, A-Rod told Page Six that he had never even spoken to her.
“He doesn’t know this woman,” a source close to Rodriguez insisted. “Look, does this mean he didn’t DM her and liked a photo or two? I guess not, but he doesn’t know her — and he definitely didn’t hook up with her.”
However, weeks later, A-Rod and Lopez announced their break-up. In a joint-statement they said, “We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. “We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects. We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”
Rodriguez vacationing with with his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, and their two daughters. InstagramThe family source told Page Six: “Some things happen for a reason. J. Lo was great for Alex, but it is what it is.”
Lopez, of course, soon reunited with her former love, Oscar winner Ben Affleck and the pair announced their engagement in April. But the former couple, insiders say, aren’t making moves to fuel jealousy.
“Jennifer does what she wants, Alex does what he wants,” said the family source.
A-Rod is now concentrating on his work with his team, the Minnesota Vikings, and his on-air work with Fox Sports and ESPN. Said the insider: “He’s in the best state I’ve ever seen him, to be honest.”
