NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce has sparked a wave of conversation online after making comments during a recent podcast appearance, where he encouraged Black men to consider dating women overseas, citing rapper French Montana as an example to follow. Pierce’s remarks have stirred both support and criticism, touching on broader social conversations around relationships, cultural dynamics, and the evolving dating landscape for Black men in America.
Pierce, a former Boston Celtics star and now a frequent presence on sports and culture media platforms, made the comments while discussing modern relationships and what he described as “a shifting energy” in how Black men are treated within romantic contexts in the United States. Speaking candidly, Pierce said that many Black men are feeling frustrated with the expectations and experiences they’ve had domestically and are increasingly exploring relationships with women in other countries—where, according to him, the dynamic feels “more natural and less transactional.”
He referenced French Montana, the Moroccan-American rapper known for his relationships with women from various cultural backgrounds, as someone who has embraced international dating. Pierce praised Montana’s open-mindedness and said, “French figured it out. You don’t have to stay stuck in one place. The world is big. You travel, and you realize there’s women out there who treat you differently—who see you differently.”
While Pierce didn’t mention specific countries, his comments followed a trend that has grown more visible online in recent years: a growing number of Black men speaking publicly about traveling to Latin America, Asia, and parts of Africa to seek out what they describe as more “traditional” or “peaceful” relationship dynamics. This movement, often referred to in online communities as “passport bros,” is built on the idea that dating overseas can offer men—especially men of color—an escape from what they see as cultural tensions and social expectations in Western dating.
Pierce elaborated, saying, “I’m not saying all women here [in America] are the same. But it’s like, if every time you try something it ends with stress, arguments, or feeling like you’re just a paycheck—maybe it’s time to try something different. There’s no rule that says you have to only date in your city, or your country. That’s limiting yourself.”
His comments drew immediate reactions across social media platforms. Some fans and followers praised Pierce
About the Author
