He had his reasons. Olympian Michael Phelps explained via live video on Thursday, October 27, why he and his fiancee, Nicole Johnson, kept their wedding a secret from, well, everyone.
The most-decorated Olympian ever took to his Facebook page on Thursday while playing golf with his buddies, including Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Between swings at sunset, Phelps shared his honest thoughts with his 8 million-plus fans in light of the news that was revealed 24 hours before.
“You guys probably already saw the article that was posted [about the wedding],” Phelps said with a chuckle. “I’ve been married for a while, been married for a while–a couple months. I had to keep it secret from y’all. I had to keep it hush-hush from you guys.”
The groom then confirmed the news directly. “Nicole and I are married. We are officially married,” he said as he steered his golf cart. “Now we are getting the chance to officially kick it and hang out now.”
Phelps flashed his left ring finger, which revealed… no ring. “It’s not on that hand anymore,” the athlete teased.
Former Miss California Johnson and the swimmer—who share their adorable baby son Boomer—dated on-and-off-again for nearly eight years before he proposed in February 2015. During the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, both Phelps and Johnson tricked everyone into believing that they were planning their wedding in December.
On Wednesday, TMZ obtained and uploaded the couple’s official Record of Marriage. Phelps and Johnson got married on June 13, in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The ceremony was reportedly officiated by the superstar swimmer’s agent, Peter Carlisle.
“Why is it a secret? Just because,” Phelps said Wednesday on his Facebook page with a mischievous grin. “Baby No. 2 may be coming soon. Who knows though.”
