The “pommel horse specialist,” Stephen Nedoroscik, has carved his place in the gymnastics world with his daring, Clark Kent-inspired moves. But the four-time U.S. national champion didn’t stop with gymnastics—his performances on Dancing with the Stars have layered on a whole new level of fanfare! However, with the spotlight came some whispers, as fans began spinning tales about Stephen’s bond with his dance partner, Rylee Arnold.

Some viewers speculated about romance, but others quickly jumped to Stephen’s defense, pointing out the duo’s brother-sister energy and reminding everyone that the two-time Olympic medalist Nedoroscik has a girlfriend. And that girlfriend, Tess McCracken, has been one of his biggest cheerleaders, standing by him as he juggles fame, dancing, and gymnastic feats. Now, as the fourth American man since World War II to win an Olympic medal on the pommel horse celebrates turning 26, Tess’s support for him shines just as brightly!

On October 28, Tess McCracken lit up Instagram with a heartwarming birthday tribute to her long-time love Stephen Nedoroscik, sharing a sweet montage of their moments together and writing, “Happy birthday to my favorite person❤️ The past year has been the wildest ride, here’s to many more! I love you :)”

But that wasn’t all! Amidst all the fan rumors, Rylee Arnold herself chimed in on Tess’s post, brushing aside the buzz with a heartfelt comment: “The most precious couple in the entire world!!! I love you guys❤️❤️❤️ HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!!” A sprinkle of love from friends and fans alike made this birthday even brighter for the Massachusetts native Stephen Nedoroscik!

Tess put together a heartfelt montage for Stephen’s birthday, sharing some seriously adorable moments between them. The first slide captured the duo, smiling from ear to ear, noses playfully touching, for a snapshot of pure joy. Next up, there’s a candid shot of Stephen with their cat, followed by a sunlit vacation selfie where the two look relaxed and happy. The slideshow continued with a cozy couch selfie with their cat again in the mix, then a red carpet stunner of the duo from the Emmys, and a candid close-up of Stephen beaming.

There’s even a triumphant snap of Stephen Nedoroscik and Tess posing with Stephen’s bronze medal from the Paris Olympics, marking the moment he helped end the U.S. men’s gymnastics team’s 16-year medal drought. And for the perfect ending? A funny shot of Stephen, half-hidden in a blanket, shyly peeking out with his cat on his lap. But that’s not all. With fans buzzing about Stephen and his DWTS partner, Rylee, Tess recently decided to set the record straight, warmly embracing her role as Stephen’s girlfriend and putting all those rumors to rest.

Stephen Nedoroscik’s girlfriend shuts down the rumor mill

After Stephen Nedoroscik’s laid-back charm captured hearts just before his dazzling pommel horse routine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, his girlfriend, Tess McCracken, found herself basking in the spotlight right beside him! With playful nicknames like “First Lady of Pommel Horse” and “Mrs. Pommel Horse” floating around, Tess became part of the gymnastics narrative. However, things took a twist on October 21 when Reddit users began to speculate about her Twitter account (@stephens_gf), questioning whether she was simply riding the coattails of Stephen’s success for fame.

A Penn State Alum Tess’s connection to Stephen Nedoroscik undoubtedly opened doors for her, potentially expanding her follower base and creating opportunities for brand collaborations in gymnastics, sports, and lifestyle niches. After all, a larger following can lead to exciting endorsements and a chance to promote causes close to her heart. As a 26-year-old retired gymnast, Tess has found her rhythm as a project manager in cell and gene therapy while still navigating this newfound fame.

In a TikTok video, Tess offered a heartfelt glimpse into her world and her thoughts on the Twitter handle that sparked discussion. A former gymnast herself McCracken revealed that the account was never intended for fame but as a space to connect with fellow gymnastics enthusiasts. “It was always meant to be an old account,” she shared, noting how unexpected it was for her voice to gain traction during the Olympics. Her initial aim was simply to engage with the gymnastics community rather than seeking any spotlight for herself.

Tess passionately conveyed her desire to be seen beyond her username, emphasizing, “I wanted people to know who I was.” Proudly embracing her role as Stephen Nedoroscik’s biggest fan, she candidly stated, “I was just shamelessly this Stephen’s fan on Twitter.” With her profile skyrocketing from a few hundred followers to over 23.1k, Tess now celebrates her unique voice within the gymnastics realm while supporting Stephen, turning what started as a small account into a vibrant platform filled with genuine connection and excitement.