Sha’Carri Richardson is in her “loving era.” The Olympian recently opened up to ESSENCE about her Ws and lessons and entering her soft life era. Now, her supporters are questioning whether Christian Coleman is assisting her in the lifestyle change!

Here’s the context. Richardson’s stunning magazine cover photos and interview dropped just days after she seemingly soft-launched her rumored runner boo on social media. Keep scrolling to catch up!

What’s Tea With Richardson & Christian Coleman?

Richardson and Christian Coleman first sparked lil’ talks after he hugged Sha’Carri at the 2023 Budapest World Championships. She became the women’s 100m world champion at that match, and the way Christian embraced her then caused a couple of side eyes!

Sha’carri Richardson and Christian Coleman❤️

Love is in the air. What’s cookin? 👀 pic.twitter.com/QUvPrLtgBv

— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) August 26, 2023

She jumped into his arms as the rest of their fellow Team USA also ran towards her, and they both fell to the ground.

As reported by TheJasmineBrand, she and Christian attended the USATF Night of Legends function on December 7. On her Instagram Stories, the two appeared close and cozy, in that more-than-running-champs kind of way. In a boomerang selfie video, the two shared sweet smiles with their heads pressed together. On his Instagram Stories, he shared a photo of him holding the event booklet and Sha’Carri’s colorful claws resting on his hand.

🚨Sha’carri Richardson and Christian Coleman are OFFICIAL ❤️ They posted a video of them together at the Night of the Legends. pic.twitter.com/YWfFVjn8ZN

— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) December 8, 2024

Mind you, last month, Sha’Carri also shared a carousel post feeding the dating chatter. In one photo, she’s wearing a bikini shot with what looked to be Coleman’s diamond chain around her neck. In another photo taken from the back, she’s hugged up with a man who resembles Christian. See the post here.

🌶️ Sha’carri Richardson is wearing her boyfriend Christian Coleman’s chain. They might as well come out officially. They have been dating for almost 2 years or more. pic.twitter.com/OwUS0Il8NM

— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) November 22, 2024

Sha’Carri Richardson showing off her body and her new relationship with Christian Coleman. pic.twitter.com/kQvpRTmr8g

— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) December 3, 2024

Sha’Carri Seemingly Confirms Having A “Relationship”

While speaking to ESSENCE, Sha’Carri shared that connections with her loved ones and faith is top priority now. In her quote about the topic, she mentioned a “relationship.”

“I feel like in my spirituality, I’m aligning myself with keeping my faith. When it comes to my family, I’ve grown closer to them. I love the fact that in areas of my feminine side, I’m thriving. Connecting with my family, with my relationship, just different things that—I know if I wasn’t an athlete, these things would still make me me.”

If you didn’t know, the athlete came out as bisexual in 2015 on Twitter. Richardson’s last public relationship was with Jamaican track hurdler Janeek Brown from 2019 until 2022. After it ended, Sha’Carri, without naming Brown, seemingly accused her of abuse and theft. Janeek later owned one incident of abuse, and said they had chosen to move on. “I was going through something, I was finding myself,” Janeek reportedly said on Instagram Live.

In the interview, Richardson also opened up about life feeling “brighter” and no longer living in “survival mode.” Instead, she’s stepped into her “divine feminine” and soft life era. Therapy, she told ESSENCE, helped her get there.

Sha’Carri Shows OUT In ESSENCE Cover

Sha’Carri Richardson slayed the shoot in looks pulled by Maryland stylist Becky Akinyode. On one cover version, the track superstar wore a black sheer bodysuit with a fur coat from Mugler and Haider Ackerman and icy diamonds from Cartier.

Other looks for the interview gave grown, classy, sophisticated energy. A bright red, off-shoulder, long-sleeved red dress with matching tights in one shot. A cream-fur turtleneck and cardigan look for another. There were also looks that highlighted Sha’Carri’s outgoing personality — large hoop earrings and her signature claws, for example. A second red dress made her Olympian legs the star of the show! Swipe below to peep her moment.

“Gracing the cover is almost history for me. It’s going to show my journey of transformation. I actually remember my grandmother having magazines, and ESSENCE being one of those magazines.,” ‘Carri said.

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