LeBron James is obsessed with candles: ‘I have to light a candle in my room’

LeBron in Berlin

I love LeBron James for many reasons, one of which is that he gives a good interview. He’s interesting and interested in the world. He’s a curious, thoughtful man who doesn’t wallow in toxic masculinity and sports-bro bulls–t. He openly enjoys Disney movies, female-led comedies and… candles. Yes, LeBron James gave an interview to GQ about how he’s obsessed with candles. He travels a lot because of away-games and because, I would assume, his many sponsorships and endorsement appearances. He doesn’t like the way hotels smell, so he brings his own candles, or buys some at the hotel gift shop. I love him. Some highlights from this GQ piece:

He’s a careful packer: “I’m a size 15, 16 shoe, so I’ve got to be very efficient with how I pack. I’ve got one bag that’s just dedicated to my shoes, because my shoes take up so much space… I have a travel look, a game look, and I pack my essentials in my room, like my toiletries, my candles, my Beats Pill, my iPad, my game film, all of that stuff.”

Yes, he packs his own favorite candles: “Candles! I have to light a candle in my room on every road trip while I’m in my room. It has a lot to do with the energy of the universe. I’m very high on that—I actually get that from my wife. But I also just love the smell of candles. You know, hotel rooms can have a stagnant smell. I think a candle gives it a fresher smell. I can bring some home with me, it makes me very comfortable. So the energy, the essence, behind a candle, and also the smell quality of just keeping me as comfortable away as I am when I’m home.”

Candle preferences: “Diptyque is one of my favorite brands. I love all their ranges of candles. I carry those,” he says. (His publicist clarifies that LeBron prefers that brand’s Baies scent.) And if disaster strikes? “If I run out of candles, I’ll actually walk down to the gift shop at the hotel and see if they have good ones. Any time I’m staying at the Four Seasons—I don’t know the brand that they work with, but they have great selections of candles, and I will pick from them.”

[From GQ]

I love when celebrity men have these little quirks. John Mayer is a serious collector of watches. Chris Pine has strong feelings about his flip-phone. And LeBron is obsessed with candles. The way he explains it, it makes perfect sense. When he’s on the road, he wants a sense/scent memory of home, so he lights one of his favorite candles. And why do I think that LeBron will probably be getting a candle endorsement sometime soon? Diptyque should totally sign him up.

LeBron James parties the night away after the ESPYS

Photos courtesy of Backgrid and Avalon Red.

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19 Responses to “LeBron James is obsessed with candles: ‘I have to light a candle in my room’”

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  1. mia girl says:

    Totally relate to LeBron on this!
    I spend a disproportionate amount of my disposable income on candles.

  2. MellyMel says:

    I totally get this! I love candles so much and yes, Diptyque smell really good. However they are a splurge.

    • Anners says:

      Question re Diptyque candles – are they really worth $100? Is the smell really strong? I have some Sand + Fog and Bath & Body Works candles I got on sale (ie under $20 for a 3 wick) and they do a decent job (Sand + Fog are better – less chemically smelling). I wouldn’t mind trying a small Diptyque candle, but balk a little at the price. Am I paying for brand recognition, or are they truly delightful?

      ps LeBron is my new celeb crush – he is the total package (please please please don’t be a secret jerk)

      • Audrey says:

        See my comment below. I like Diptyque scents, but depending on the area, they can be really strong. My new favorite is Le Labo because the smoke and scent are lighter.

      • Anners says:

        Thanks Audrey – I’ll check out Le Labo

      • Starkiller says:

        Diptyque candles are a bit hit and miss for me—some of the scents throw hardly any smell, and many of those that do smell way too strong. Pound for pound, if you want a splurge candle you’re better off with Jo Malone or Cire Trudon.

      • Anners says:

        @starkiller – thanks for the advice! I 💛 jo Malone perfume, so I can bet the candles are as delightful. I’ll give them a try.

  3. DiegoInSF says:

    I love candles and also reed diffusers! I am obsessed with the very expensive Nest reed diffusers, I always get them when they’re on sale so I’m always looking for deals.

  4. Audrey says:

    Me too! But I have a new favorite, my friend bought a candle for my bday from Le Labo (sandalwood). They are sold out of Nordstrom. I like them better than Diptyque because the smoke is not as heavy and the scent is more natural (less perfumy).

  5. lucy2 says:

    I used to like candles, but I’m now allergic to everything. 🙁

    I like that he is so unpretentious.

  6. elimaeby says:

    This is so cute. I totally get it. I’m not a candle person, but my SO and I currently don’t live together, so he leaves a small vial of his body oil at my place. I’ll put a drop on a tissue and put it near my pillow so it smells like him in my bed when I sleep. Things that remind you of home/loved ones are a huge comfort.

  7. paranormalgirl says:

    There is something so appealing about LeBron.

  8. Lala11_7 says:

    I’ve been tracking LeBron since he was darn near in grammar school….holding my breath….PRAYING that he wouldn’t turn out to be a typical athletic superstar cut-out…

    THAT prayer…was more than answered!

  9. susiecue says:

    ADORABLE

  10. Ferdinand says:

    I love candles as well, but I read not some long ago, that they are really bad. They emit micro particles of soot when burning and you basically end up breathing all that.

  11. Meg says:

    I don’t feel like most candles are good smelling enough for me and the few that are I have to be right next to it

    • BeanieBean says:

      Me, too. I can only smell them on warm days & only when they’re not lit. When they’re lit, all I smell is the sulphur from the burning match & the smoke from the wick. Blech.