The internet rumor mill is working in absolute overdrive today, and New York Knicks superstar Karl-Anthony Towns is sitting right at the center of the storm. If you have been scrolling through TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) recently, you might have seen viral posts claiming that the 7-foot center has officially come out as gay.
Let’s set the record straight right now: Those rumors are completely false. Karl-Anthony Towns has not come out. In fact, he is ostensibly straight and in a very public, committed relationship with his fiancée, Jordyn Woods.
So, why is the entire internet suddenly whispering about his sexuality? It all comes down to a deeply toxic viral trend that needs to be called out immediately.
The Rise of the “Zesty KAT” Meme
For months, Towns has been the relentless target of a highly viral meme known as “Zesty Karl-Anthony Towns” or “Zesty KAT”. Across Facebook echo chambers and X timelines, internet trolls have been heavily policing his joy, painting the Knicks star as flamboyant or queer-coded strictly based on his voice, posture, and gestures.
In one massive viral example, an X user quote-tweeted a simple clip of Towns softly saying “for sure” with the caption, “That ‘for sure’ was nasty work”. The post racked up over 46,000 likes, cementing the homophobic slang “zesty” as a shorthand way to mock the NBA superstar’s natural style despite him being at his career peak.
Refusing to Fit the Mold
What Towns is actually experiencing is what happens when public figures refuse to contort themselves into the rigid, humorless frame of what a “man in sports” is supposed to be.
He isn’t coming out; he is just being himself. The online mockery seems to stem from a cultural discomfort with softness or emotional expressiveness in male athletes—especially considering his Dominican heritage, a culture known for its rhythm, flamboyance, and expressive joy.
A True Ally On and Off the Court
While Towns is not gay, he is an incredible ally to the LGBT community. He has proudly used his massive platform to support others, including hosting the Twin Cities Pride executive director and various LGBTQ youth at his games to ensure they felt welcomed and seen.
And on the court? The man is completely unbothered by the internet trolls. As the Knicks push toward the playoffs, Towns is staying totally focused on his game and his teammates. Just recently, he dropped 28 points and 11 rebounds in a clutch win over the Chicago Bulls, proving that the outside noise isn’t stopping his dominance.
