Get ready, Atlanta! Porsha Williams is stepping into a new chapter, and it’s filled with fresh love. After finalizing her divorce, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star has hard-launched her first public relationship with a woman, Patrice “Sway” McKinney. The confirmation came via a heartfelt birthday tribute on Instagram, marking a significant moment for the reality star.
A New Beginning and a Public Declaration
On November 28, Williams shared a carousel of photos and videos featuring herself and McKinney, celebrating Sway’s birthday. The images captured the couple embracing in front of a festive Christmas tree and dancing at a club, with Porsha’s caption sealing the deal: “The Happiest Birthday @sway_thepro… Hope this year continues to bring you everything you want and more! 🥂🍾. Can’t wait to act up saturday!”
This public declaration follows months of speculation. Back in October, Williams revealed at Culture Con that she was exploring relationships with both a man and a woman after her divorce from Simon Guobadia. She had openly pondered the possibility of dating women, questioning, “Do I like women enough? Can I get with a woman? Who can come in and fill this void?’”
Breaking Cycles and Embracing Vulnerability
Williams has been candid about her journey to healing and her realization that she needed to break a pattern of dating narcissists. She admitted that opening up to partners who aren’t narcissists has been challenging because they don’t engage in the typical “love bombing” behavior she’d grown accustomed to. “What I talked about with my therapist the other day was — I’m having a hard time opening up because they’re not narcissists,” she explained.
Her new girlfriend, Patrice “Sway” McKinney, is the founder of Encore Salon Suites, a successful Black-owned salon suite franchise. McKinney, a master barber and stylist, reportedly turned down a professional basketball career and a corporate job to build her business. Williams found the non-narcissistic dynamic “challenging” because McKinney asks questions and doesn’t allow herself to be walked over, prompting Williams to recognize the need to “soften up a bit” to foster a deeper connection.
A Confident Step Forward
The hard launch of their relationship signifies that Williams feels healed and ready for this new phase. After her separation from Guobadia, she had vowed to remain single until she felt whole again. For fans, seeing Porsha embrace this relationship with confidence and joy, alongside a successful entrepreneur like McKinney, is a powerful and positive step forward.
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