Angelina Jolie and British rapper Akala have been spotted together twice in less than a week after previously shutting down romance rumors.
On Sept. 28, the 40-year-old singer was seen at a party hosted by the actress at her Atelier Jolie’s showroom in New York City, per social media photos.
“Atelier Jolie welcomed Mustafa at 57 Great Jones, hosting a special listening party and panel discussion for his debut album, Dunya, out now,” the Instagram photos uploaded to the fashion house’s account read.
In one particular photo, Akala could be seen paying attention to the discussion.
The next day, Akala accompanied Jolie to the premiere of her most recent movie, “Maria,” at the 62nd New York Film Festival at Alice Lincoln Center’s Tully Hall.
The “Maleficent” actress, who was wearing a celestial white dress for the premiere, was photographed smiling as she and Akala schmoozed with other film buffs.
Jolie’s kids — Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, and Zahara, 19 — also joined her for the screening.
Although their two appearances fueled romance rumors, a source previously confirmed that they are just friends.
“She and Akala are not dating,” a source told People in August. “She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there.”
A second insider told the outlet they had been pals for “several years,” further confirming that Jolie was single and not dating anyone seriously.
“They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,” the insider said. “They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”
Us Weekly echoed People’s reporting on Wednesday.
The rumors started in May 2024 when Akala was seen accompanying Jolie and her daughters Zahara and Shiloh, 18, to the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica. At the time, InTouch reported that they had been dating for at least a year.
He was then reportedly seen leaving Jolie’s hotel in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival in August.
Jolie shares Zahara and Shiloh with her ex-husband Brad Pitt. They also share Maddox, Pax, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.
Jolie and the “Moneyball” actor, 60, started dating in 2004 and got married a decade later. However, just two years into their marriage, they filed for divorce.
Though they were legally declared single in 2019, Jolie and Pitt are still embroiled in a nasty custody battle.
Pitt is also estranged from their children to the point where several have dropped his last name.
