Tammy Hembrow and Bailey Smith confirm they are just friends as they navigate dating on Tinder together
Tammy Hembrow and Bailey Smith have confirmed they work better as “just friends” following the high-profile duo’s widely publicized courtship earlier this year.
The fitness influencer and AFL star made headlines after they were spotted walking arm in arm on the beach on the Gold Coast and kissing in full view of photographers following behind.
In August, they both shared a racy photo of their dinner date at a romantic Melbourne eatery.
However, the duo are now newly single and looking for love on Tinder.
On Monday, the duo announced they would be stepping into 2026 as firm friends, teaming up with Tinder ahead of Dating Sunday on Jan. 4, the busiest day of the year for dating apps.
As the friends flirt together, the dynamic duo gives each other honest dating advice, revamps their Tinder profiles, shares prank tips, red flag checks and first message feedback, and advocates a friends-first approach to dating.
Hembrow, 31, said he had become “very close” with the Geelong star since they dated him a few months ago, while he and Smith, 25, worked better as friends.
“We have a lot in common and are true friends at this stage, so it feels very natural to lean on each other for dating advice,” Hembrow said.
“I’ve always relied on girls for dating advice and now I’m enjoying getting Bailey’s male perspective on my dating life. It’s been fun and I’m learning something new.
“My friends often spot red flags before I do, and I think 2026 is the year we all need to adjust to how our friends view our dates when they could be clouded by that honeymoon haze.”
The mother of three also said Smith was eager to “amp up her flirty banter and keep me away from the bad vibes.”
“As for the Tinder profile, I will definitely be reducing the number of shirtless photos! Tinder dates, watch this space!”
Smith said fewer shirtless photos would be a “huge change” in his profile, but Hembrow wasn’t safe either.
“I’m diving straight into the Tinder bio and bringing better conversations to the dating game,” he said.
“I’m so glad I met Tammy and we realized we worked better as friends when we tried our hand at dating each other. She has a great, light-hearted perspective on dating and I think I’ll really value what she has to say.”
“Tammy has always been good at dating with intention and communicating her goals, so I’m excited to see what direction my dating life takes with her guiding me.”
As for her dating profiles, Hembrow says she doesn’t smoke, works out frequently, drinks socially on weekends, and loves cats.
One of her favorite songs right now is Man I Need by Olivia Dean, and she’s hoping to find that special man on her ideal date, to buy an icy long black dress on the beach at sunrise.
Men looking to date the social media star should know that she is interested in travel, cooking, live music, the gym, fashion, shopping, personal development, and watching Marvel and Disney movies.
Parties, nightlife, surfing, coffee, gardening and nature are among the interests of women hoping to steal Smith’s heart.
While he’s looking for a long-term relationship, something shorter-term still suits him.
Their reunion reflects the rise of Friendfluence, one of the most popular trends in Tinder’s Year of the Swipe; here, singles are increasingly relying on their friends’ perspectives when making dating decisions. 42 percent of young singles say their friends have influenced their dating lives, and 37 percent plan to go on a group or double date in the next year.
