Gisele Bündchen Denies She Cheated on Tom Brady and Says Her New Relationship Is 'Very Different'

Gisele Bündchen is speaking candidly about rumors surrounding her split from ex-husband Tom Brady — and also opening up about her romance with Joaquim Valente.

In a new interview with The New York Times to promote her cookbook Nourish, the supermodel, 43, opened up about how she did not cheat on Brady, 46, before the pair’s divorce in 2022.

“That is a lie,” Bündchen told the outlet, responding to the accusations that she started a romance with her jiu-jitsu trainer Valente prior to ending things with the retired NFL star.

“I really don’t want to make my life a tabloid,” she added of the allegations. “I don’t want to open myself up to all of that.” 

During the interview, Bündchen also acknowledged the unfair criticism she faced after she and Brady ended their relationship.

“This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,” she explained. “They have to deal with their communities. They have to deal with their family."

"Of course for me, it just happens to be a little bit amplified," Bündchen added.

Speaking further about her relationships, Bündchen noted: “No one really knows what happens between two people, only the two people in the relationship.”

As for her latest relationship, Bündchen told the Times, “This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first."

"It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent," she continued.

Bündchen and Brady filed for divorce on Oct. 28, 2022, after 13 years of marriage. On the same day, the court declared their marriage as dissolved and "irretrievably broken." 

The pair first met in December 2006 on a blind date set up by mutual friends. They share two children: son Benjamin, 13, and daughter Vivian, 10. (Brady is also dad to son John "Jack" Edward with ex Bridget Moynahan.)

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Earlier this month, Bündchen discussed her split in an emotional sitdown interview with Robin Roberts.

During the interview, Bündchen said, "I think there are easier days than others, but I think it’s amazing that the kids … they’re super smart children. They know what they can get away with. So I think it’s natural that [our houses] have different rules and then kids just adapt."

"And they’re going to try to do what they want. And I can only control what I do. And I think for me, now is really about the balance," the supermodel added.

When asked by Roberts, 63, if she'll be able to "open up your heart again to someone,"  Bündchen shrugged, then replied with a small smile, "Where my heart is now is where I am right now. I’m living my truth, and I’m not apologizing for it.”