ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith looks relaxed on the beach while enjoying a holiday with a mystery woman friend at $4k-a-night Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith looked relaxed during his vacation as he laid on the beach in Barbados with a mystery female companion.

The First Take host, 55, enjoyed some well-deserved downtime on the Caribbean island and dipped into the crystal clear sea to cool off after lounging with his glamorous friend.

His unnamed woman friend, wearing a black and leopard print bikini with orange sandals, was seen bringing Smith drinks while the pair basked in the warm Caribbean sunshine.

Dad-of-two Smith opted for a laid-back brown bathing suit, and wore a Nike Jordan baseball cap on backwards while cooling off in the Bajan blue water.

He paired the beach look with a pair of stylish sunglasses.

Dad-of-two Stephen A. Smith opted for a laid-back brown bathing suit, and wore a Nike Jordan baseball cap on backwards while cooling off in the Bajan blue water
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Dad-of-two Stephen A. Smith opted for a laid-back brown bathing suit, and wore a Nike Jordan baseball cap on backwards while cooling off in the Bajan blue water

The outspoken ESPN commentator, 55, stayed at the beachfront Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados - where luxury ocean view suits can cost $4,000 a night. He is pictured here with his female friend, as they both enjoyed the warm Caribbean weather
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The outspoken ESPN commentator, 55, stayed at the beachfront Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados – where luxury ocean view suits can cost $4,000 a night. He is pictured here with his female friend, as they both enjoyed the warm Caribbean weather

His unnamed woman friend, wearing a black and leopard print bikini with orange sandals, was seen bringing Smith drinks while the pair basked in the warm Caribbean sunshine
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His unnamed woman friend, wearing a black and leopard print bikini with orange sandals, was seen bringing Smith drinks while the pair basked in the warm Caribbean sunshine

The pair stood close to one another as they cooled off in the gorgeous water
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The pair stood close to one another as they cooled off in the gorgeous water

The duo returned to their sun loungers after a dip in the Barbadian waters, where Smith seemingly chose to unwind with his earphones in, listening to music.

His female companion, who styled her hair in a long braid, also donned earphones as she rubbed sunscreen into the 55-year-old’s legs and torso.

The outspoken ESPN commentator stayed at the beachfront Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados – where luxury ocean view suits can cost $4,000 a night.

Guests who want to opt for the five-bed villa at the dazzling hotel will have to fork out $10,560 a night to enjoy the tropical gardens and private pool and jacuzzi.

The hotel is located on a 1,000-foot crescent of gorgeous white sand beach and is fit with a magnificent 47,000-square-foot spa, eight floodlit tennis courts, and a 45 holes of championship golf course.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith relaxes on a Barbadian beach while on holiday

The ESPN veteran chilled out with his earphones in while on the beach
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The ESPN veteran chilled out with his earphones in while on the beach

Stephen A. Smith has two daughters, aged 15 and 14, but he has never been married, and it's unclear who the mother of the children is
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Stephen A. Smith has two daughters, aged 15 and 14, but he has never been married, and it’s unclear who the mother of the children is

Smith has his own YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, and also published his first memoir Straight Shooter in January 2023
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Smith has his own YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, and also published his first memoir Straight Shooter in January 2023

Pictured: The beachfront Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados
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Pictured: The beachfront Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados

As well as that, Smith and his friend would be able to dine at one of the resort’s four exceptional restaurants – catering to cuisines from across the world.

Stephen A. Smith has two daughters, aged 15 and 14, but he has never been married, and it’s unclear who the mother of the children is.

He has admitted that he was once engaged – but just said: ‘It didn’t work out.’

Smith has his own YouTube show, The Stephen A. Smith Show, and also published his first memoir Straight Shooter in January 2023.

He told GQ in a 2019 interview: ‘My mother said I came out of the womb talking.’

Smith was born in the Bronx, New York City and was the youngest of six children to Caribbean immigrants.

He won a basketball scholarship to attend Winston-Salem State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication.

His female companion, who styled her hair in a long braid, also donned earphones as she rubbed sunscreen into the 55-year-old's legs and torso
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His female companion, who styled her hair in a long braid, also donned earphones as she rubbed sunscreen into the 55-year-old’s legs and torso

His friend is seen grabbing a drink on the beach
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His friend is seen grabbing a drink on the beach

Guests who want to opt for the five-bed villa at the dazzling hotel will have to fork out $10,560 a night to enjoy the tropical gardens and private pool and jacuzzi
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View gallery

Guests who want to opt for the five-bed villa at the dazzling hotel will have to fork out $10,560 a night to enjoy the tropical gardens and private pool and jacuzzi

The First Take host, 55, enjoyed some well-deserved downtime on the Caribbean island and dipped into the crystal clear sea to cool off after lounging with his glamorous friend
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The First Take host, 55, enjoyed some well-deserved downtime on the Caribbean island and dipped into the crystal clear sea to cool off after lounging with his glamorous friend

Smith took some well-deserved time off work and enjoyed his holiday in the Caribbean
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Smith took some well-deserved time off work and enjoyed his holiday in the Caribbean

The pair lounged on the beach, while his female friend bought him back a drink
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The pair lounged on the beach, while his female friend bought him back a drink

She styled her hair in one big braid, and Smith wore a baseball cap while in the water
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She styled her hair in one big braid, and Smith wore a baseball cap while in the water

She rubbed sunscreen into his shoulders while he lay on the beach
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She rubbed sunscreen into his shoulders while he lay on the beach

He realized his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column for his college arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.

From there, he started working as a journalist for the Winston-Salem Journal, before moving on to the Greensboro News and Record.

He then started working for The Philadelphia Inquirer in 1994, where he started reporting on the NBA as a sports reporter.

In 2005, he became the host of a weekday radio show on WEPN in New York City – and soon one of his hours on air was broadcasted by ESPN Radio. He stayed in broadcast journalism for many years after.

In 2011, he became a columnist for ESPN’s website and continued to host on radio.

Now, Smith is one of the hosts of First Take on ESPN – and also is an analyst on various ESPN programs.

He’s known for giving his unadulterated opinions on all things sports – as well as sometimes delving into the entertainment and politics world.

Last week, Smith took aim at Larsa Pippen for dating Michael Jordan‘s son, Marcus, after being married to Scottie for 24 years. He said: ‘There’s certain lines you don’t cross!’