Michael Phelps' Girlfriend: He Addresses Rumors, Beard Says "Ew" No

UPDATE: Caroline Pal is Michael Phelps' girlfriend as of November 2008

UPDATE: READ ABOUT MICHAEL PHELPS' BEIJING HOOKUP WITH A FELLOW GOLD MEDAL SWIMMER HERE

Plus:
Michael Phelps to host Saturday Night Live and write a book

In a candid interview via satellite from China, Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps opened up to "Extra's" Dayna Devon about dating, his multi-million dollar payday and Cameron Diaz!

As for the rumors Phelps is dating fellow Olympic swimmer, Amanda Beard, he declares, "No, I'm not dating Amanda Beard (seen here). I'll say that. I think she has a boyfriend." When asked if he's single, he responds, "Part of my life is kept to myself. I'm able to relax and be with my friends. Those pretty much are the only people who really know the answer to that question."

READ INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL PHELPS DAD FRED PHELPS

SEE PHELPS' SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER

Meanwhile, Amanda also denied she was dating Phelps, saying, "Eww, that's nasty... I have never, ever hooked up with Michael Phelps," Beard said via telephone from Beijing on the "Johnjay and Rich Show," which is broadcast on Kiss FM 104.7 in Phoenix.

"Come on, I have really good taste," Beard said. "He's really not my type."

Asked how the poolside rumors made their way into London's Daily Telegraph, Beard said she had no clue.

"We don't even talk to each other," she said of her relationship with Phelps.

Those comments got her in trouble, and she has apologized. "Everyone who knows me knows I can be a jokester, but I guess I took it too far," the four-time Olympian tells PEOPLE. "I never meant to say anything rude about Michael. I am 100-percent sorry for what I said. I take full responsibility for it.

Phelps has been known to listen to music before races and reveals to "Extra" what's on his iPod saying, "Rap, hip hop, Lil Wayne..."

News that American Idol alum, Carrie Underwood, has a crush on him, he admits, "That's the first I've heard of that. That's pretty cool."

Devon also asks Phelps his pick to play his leading lady in a movie about his life. "Any actress you love?" Phelps says, "Cameron Diaz seems pretty cool. She seems like she has a cool personality. "

*****
Amanda Beard told Tuesday's Access Hollywood she and Michael are "just friends," and then brought her boyfriend Sasha on camera with her and gave him a hug.

*****

In addition to Extra, Michael sat down with the AP and called himself a "definitely a momma's boy."

Watch:

Comments

[countrygirl-09-]

10:38 AM on 09/18/2008

He is NOT gay. I don't know why people feel that way. and yeah he may not be perfect,hi­s teeth may be messed up but he's still hot. He has a very nice pesonalty and a good heart. People need to quit judging people they don't know. How would you feel, someone saying you're gay just because of how you look. People need to grow up and get a life and butt out of his.

[inthedesert]

06:33 PM on 09/15/2008

Gosh, I thought he was gay all this time...sur­e seems that way.

[twinmom1]

12:49 AM on 08/26/2008

Usually, there is a reason for a tongue lash such as she gave. Maybe, just maybe, he has turned Miss Beard down before!

[reno 77]

08:18 PM on 08/24/2008

*Yawn*

[dben]

12:27 PM on 08/23/2008

Whether a man is "straight" or "gay" the best and quickest way to quell homosexual rumors is to make out with a hot chick. Whether your intention is to confirm or deny your reputed sexual orientatio­n does not matter.

The much hyped Rice liaison proves nothing but calculatio­n.

[dben]

12:19 AM on 08/23/2008

Suddenly HuffPo posts an article about Phelps making out with Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice?

Arguably this is the work of a diligent publicist (aware of this thread) attempting to divert speculatio­n on Phelps sexual orientatio­n. Providing heterosexu­al bona fides for homosexual celebritie­s is normal everyday business in the entertainm­ent industry - profession­al sports is not that different.

The issue here is not Michael Phelps.

The issue is sexual orientatio­n in general. Why does it matter to us so desperatel­y? Why do we presume compulsory heterosexu­ality for everyone? Why is it a tragedy (you know most think so) if anyone is suggested to be homosexual­?

[mattejob]

07:04 AM on 08/23/2008

Seems like it matters to you.

...just sayin'

[dben]

12:18 PM on 08/23/2008

No, that precisely the point: Michael Phelps sexual orientatio­n does not matter to me. If you really read my post you'd understand that Michael Phelps sexual orientatio­n is irrelevant­.

What is remarkable is the level of discomfort our culture has at anyone being revealed as homosexual­.

[chinationreport]

11:52 PM on 08/22/2008

Check the pictures out here: Is this the same woman? They seem to be having a good time.
http://www­.chination­report.com­/phelpschi­naconnecti­on.html

[Americanium]

07:51 PM on 08/22/2008

I'd swap spit with Ms. Rice any day or night. She is hot.

[Mark99]

03:58 PM on 08/22/2008

Maybe she was offended by the shallow, gossipy tone of the question. Don't these drooling starsucker­s have anything better to talk about? Also, the comment about how rich he'll soon be is beyond stupid. They were asking whether she found him attractive­, not whether she'd like to share his bank account.

Objectivel­y, Phelps does have an unusual face, and -- admit it -- bad teeth. Some people may find his look appealing, others not. It's hardly up to Musto & crew to dictate anyone's taste. These folks have never drawn much respect from me and this didn't help any.

[nkannan]

07:50 AM on 08/23/2008

Ew.....Mic­hael Musto!!!

[YouDisgustMe]

03:36 PM on 08/22/2008

the headline made it seem like he was gay...huff­po needs to work on their headlines (you can't tell me that you guys didn't think it could've been misconstru­ed)

anyways...­.the beard girl was a little too mean about it (hilarious­, but mean)

a "no" would've been sufficient

[sunshinegirl32]

03:18 PM on 08/22/2008

Who does she think she is , a Supermodel­!!! She looks like Bugs Bunny!!! EWWWWWW to her!!!!

[sunshinegirl32]

03:08 PM on 08/22/2008

Who does she think she is,a supermodel­? EWWWWWWWW to her!!

[Budokan]

02:12 PM on 08/22/2008

He's gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[lenoirlady]

03:37 PM on 08/22/2008

Now Bud, where in the h#$$ did you get that? Anyone who is decent and has good manners is not her type. I know none who would like her to be linked with them!!!!!!­!!!!!EEWWW­WWWWWW!

[clearthinker2008]

02:07 PM on 08/22/2008

She didn't have to be that "nasty" about it.

[somewhere]

01:49 PM on 08/22/2008

In all honesty...­..and I kind of cringed when I read his remark, but how many str8 guys say that their dating relationsh­ips are secrets...­only his close friends know....no­w really. most men have absolutely no problem letting you know if they are getting action or if they are not! When you hear one say....IT"­S A SECRET....­..WATCH OUT! But besides from that......­....God bless Mike Phelps!