WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has once again broken the internet, this time not for a buzzer-beater or a tunnel fit, but for a hilariously unfiltered confession about a cold sore. The Indiana Fever guard sent social media into a frenzy after she bluntly addressed a blemish on her lip during a recent episode of her Show Me Something podcast, jokingly warning viewers: "Herpe, I have herpes. So don't kiss me."

The Sophie Cunningham viral podcast moment has exploded across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), sparking a massive wave of memes and a heated debate over whether she is the ultimate "relatable queen" or if we've officially entered the era of too much information. As the clip circulates, fans are divided between laughing at her candor and questioning the boundaries of viral athlete confessions.

The ‘Too Honest’ Moment on Show Me Something

During the January 19 episode of the Show Me Something podcast, which Cunningham co-hosts with Bravo reality star West Wilson, the conversation took a sharp left turn when Sophie decided to address the elephant in the room—or rather, the bump on her lip. Leaning uncomfortably close to the camera lens, the WNBA star funny moments icon pointed directly at her cold sore.

"ChapStick and I got a herpe. I have herpes," Cunningham announced with zero hesitation, causing Wilson to look momentarily stunned. She followed up the proclamation with a direct directive to her audience: "So don't kiss me." Wilson, recovering from the shock, joked that while he couldn't see it before, it was now impossible to miss. Cunningham laughed off the awkwardness, explaining that she simply didn't care about the optics.

The Real Story Behind the ‘Sophie Cunningham Herpes Clip’

While the soundbite "I have herpes" was perfect fodder for out-of-context viral clips, Cunningham quickly clarified the situation for her listeners. She explained that she hadn't contracted a sexually transmitted infection but was dealing with a common oral cold sore (HSV-1). She attributed the flare-up to a combination of dry weather, frequent travel between climates, and—most regrettably—sharing lip balm.

"I used someone's ChapStick at the Sophie Cunningham Classic," she explained, referring to her youth basketball tournament in Missouri. "I’m telling you, I used someone's ChapStick, and I got it." She reiterated that despite the stigma often attached to the word, she was just dealing with a standard cold sore triggered by dehydration and stress, joking, "I didn't kiss anybody!"

Internet Reactions: Relatable Queen or TMI?

As with anything involving the popular guard, the Sophie Cunningham internet reactions were swift and polarized. The Sophie Cunningham cold sore video became an instant battleground in the comments sections. On one side, fans praised her for normalizing a common skin condition that affects nearly half of the U.S. population but is rarely discussed so openly by public figures.

"This is why we love Sophie," one user commented on TikTok. "She has zero filter and it’s honestly refreshing." Another added, "Finally someone admitting that sharing ChapStick is a risky game! Relatable queen."

However, not everyone was charmed by the admission. Some critics felt the delivery was "gross" or criticized her for using the term "herpes" so loosely, arguing it confused the distinction between oral cold sores and genital herpes. "She just dropped from a 10 to a 2," one harsh critic posted on X, while others suggested that some things are better left unsaid. Despite the trolls, Cunningham appears unbothered, continuing to embrace her reputation as one of the league's most authentic personalities.

Breaking the Stigma with Humor

Beyond the laughs, the Show Me Something podcast Sophie episode accidentally touched on a valid health topic. Medical experts note that HSV-1 (oral herpes) is incredibly common and often stigmatized unnecessarily. By jokingly reclaiming the word "herpes" and refusing to hide her face, Cunningham inadvertently chipped away at the embarrassment many feel about cold sores.

For the Indiana Fever guard, who has seen her popularity skyrocket since joining the team and defending teammate Caitlin Clark, this is just another day in the life of a modern athlete creator. Whether you find it gross or hilarious, one thing is certain: Sophie Cunningham knows exactly how to get people talking.