Fitness influencer and content creator Royce Styles is speaking out and setting the record straight after his ex-girlfriend allegedly leaked photos of him alongside embattled sports media personality Shannon Sharpe, igniting a firestorm of speculation across social media.
The drama started when Royce’s ex-girlfriend reportedly sent photos and videos to blogger Tasha K, appearing to show him in a hotel room on a bed posing shirtless for Shannon and receiving several gifts. Royce had previously served as Shannon’s camera man and creative director before being replaced by current photographer Jordan Barber, a working relationship that apparently left the door open for salacious rumors once those images began circulating online.
After the rumors began circulating online, Tasha K claimed she spoke directly with Royce Styles and was provided with receipts surrounding the situation.
Now, Royce is done letting the blogs do the talking.
In a candid video posted to his social media, the influencer addressed the speculation head-on, without holding back.
“I’m not going to talk bad about that community. I’m not a homophobe or anything like that,” he said, making clear he harbored no ill will toward the LGBTQ+ community before pivoting to his personal denial. “I am straight. I don’t know how many times I got to put it out there. I don’t know how many times I have to address this issue. I’m not bisexual. Don’t dimple and dabble and none of that.”
Acknowledging that some photos may have raised eyebrows, Royce remained firm: “Yes, I’ve taken pictures that you can say looks a little sus or gay, whatever. But trust me, I’m 100% straight.” He called on his inner circle as his ultimate character witness — “Anyone who knows me, like really knows me, like the people who grew up with me, who’ve been around me, been around my family, they’ll vouch and say the same thing.”
Royce directed his sharpest words at what he described as a manufactured narrative. “What I care about is people playing with my name,” he said.
“Creating something that didn’t happen. It’s easy for someone to get some pictures and put a narrative on it without actually knowing what is really going on.”
He also dismissed the source of the leaks entirely.
If you want to believe these blogs, if you want to believe these quote-unquote people who have been affiliated with me, quote-unquote ex-girlfriends, not true. 100% not true.”
But perhaps his most pointed message was to the trolls. “When those receipts air, and when those receipts drop, everyone who’s commenting on my page, trolling me, leaving those comments — I don’t want to hear no sorrys. I don’t want to see no backpedaling. Stay over there.”
The controversy arrives as Shannon Sharpe himself has been navigating one of the most turbulent chapters of his public life. The former NFL star and ESPN anchor was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend and, despite denying the charges, settled for millions of dollars.
As for Royce, he appears content to let things play out.
“I’m going to sit back and watch how this whole story unfolds,” he said. “When the truth comes out, you’ll see. I ain’t got to say nothing else.”
Sharpe has not yet responded publicly.
Gotta stop pretending this is new. Happens more than some would like to admit. There are absolutely straight men who perform some services (not always sex) for gay men (both those in and out of the closet.) Don’t know why some think some of these guys are living exotic lifestyles off of fitness training alone. And not the biggest deal. Consenting adults. It only grinds my gears when infidelity or homophobia are involved.
Yeah you even admitted there are pics that look gay or ‘sus’. Why take pics like that? You may think you are straight but so called straight men do stuff for money. This won’t be the first time or the last.