Stephen Curry Calls Out Gilbert Arenas, Nick Young in Video After Criticism of Wife Ayesha

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry released a 90-second Instagram video on November 11 responding to comments made by former athletes about his wife Ayesha Curry's role in the Roku Channel romantic comedy "Second Chance Holiday," which premiered November 5. The film features Ayesha in her first leading movie role opposite actor Matthew Daddario, including a kissing scene that prompted discussion on several podcasts.

According to TODAY.com, Curry addressed Nick Young, Gilbert Arenas, and Emmanuel Acho directly in his video, saying: "I've been hearing a lot of noise. Usually the noise doesn't bother me, it doesn't bother Ayesha, but this one in particular, when you're trying to step on the accomplishments of my wife and, you know, obviously needing podcasts, tapings and topics and giving opinions on somebody else's wife." He added that the criticism "speaks to a bigger conversation on how you view women in this world and what they're allowed and what they're not allowed to do."

The Guardian reports that former NBA player LeSean McCoy also questioned Ayesha's decision to film the romantic scene. During a November 7 episode of "We Said What We Said," Arenas described Ayesha as "the only blemish" in the Curry family "because she doesn't act like the other superstars' wives." Young, who played on the Warriors' 2018 championship team with Curry, acknowledged "that's the job" regarding the acting kiss but also made comments about the Currys' marriage. Acho made his remarks on the November 9 episode of his "Speakeasy" podcast.

Curry, who has generally avoided publicly engaging with criticism of his family, suggested the former athletes owed his wife an apology "as loud as ... y'all leading y'all shows with this topic." He closed by encouraging viewers to watch the film on Roku. His sister Sydel Curry-Lee supported the response in comments, writing: "HEAVY on how it speaks about how the world views women. Play with someone else. Enough is enough!"

Following Curry's video, Arenas and Young posted a reaction video on November 11. Arenas said: "This is exactly why I made the comment. Because he's a professional. He doesn't get in trouble for nothing. He says the right things, the family, everybody's good, if you gotta judge this family, the only blemish is the things that his wife has said." Young responded: "I'm sorry. If I said anything I'll apologize like a man." Arenas also attempted to explain he was apologizing to Stephen Curry.

Ayesha Curry has not directly responded to the athletes' comments but tweeted on November 5 about the kissing scene: "It's not even real 🤣 you guys are annoying." She appeared on TODAY on November 10 to discuss the film, noting she has been acting since age 3, including a role as a "bubble elf" in "The Santa Clause," and called the lead role a "full circle moment." Curry's post came as the Warriors, 8-3 and joint-third in the Western Conference, prepared to face the Houston Rockets.