Angelina Jolie’s love life has always captured public fascination, especially following her dramatic split from Brad Pitt. The actress was recently linked to a surprising new man, stirring up a whirlwind of opinions online — from warnings to heated comparisons to her ex-husband.
Angelina Jolie is not just an award-winning actress but a filmmaker, humanitarian, and mother. She was previously married to actor and film producer, Brad Pitt, but their marriage ended years ago.
Angelina Jolie and director Pablo LarraÃn at the premiere of “Maria” during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie’s private life has long been a topic of intrigue, and the buzz around her love life shows no signs of slowing down. Recently, the actress was spotted in Italy with a British rapper and activist, sparking rumors of a new romance.
Angelina Jolie during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Social media exploded as users debated Jolie’s rumored new relationship, with some critics quick to call him a step down from Pitt and too young for the actress. Meet the Hollywood star’s rumored new beau.
Angelina Jolie during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, in Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie Sparked Dating Rumors Following Split from Brad Pitt
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been legally single since 2019, although their divorce proceedings, which began in 2016, are still ongoing.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival on May 24 in France. | Source: Getty Images
The former power couple first met on the “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” set in 2005, and what started as an on-screen romance soon blossomed into real life.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at ShoWest 2005 — 20th Century Fox Luncheon l in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
Pitt and Jolie began dating a couple of years after meeting, and together, they have six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. The pair’s relationship was often described as Hollywood’s golden couple era, and they officially tied the knot on August 23, 2014.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the “Unbroken” world premiere on November 17, 2014, in Sydney, Australia | Source: Getty Images
However, after a decade together and only two years of marriage, Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016, marking the beginning of a highly publicized split that would keep the tabloids buzzing for years.
Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and their son Maddox in Mumbai, India, on September 16, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Following the split, Jolie remained tight-lipped about her personal life, keeping her dating life mostly out of the spotlight. However, rumors began to swirl in 2021 about a potential connection with The Weeknd.
The two were spotted together multiple times, sparking curiosity about whether a romance was brewing. However, neither confirmed the relationship, leaving fans guessing.
Recently, Jolie has sparked fresh dating rumors after being spotted with a British rapper and political activist in Italy during the Venice Film Festival.
The pair were seen leaving a hotel together, fueling speculation that Jolie might return to the dating scene. The actress was in Venice promoting her latest film, “Maria,” and the rumored relationship quickly became a hotly discussed topic.
Angelina Jolie at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, in Venice, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
Jolie and the rapper were also spotted together in May 2023 at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica with the actress’s daughters, Zahara and Shiloh. An eyewitness observed that the rapper was protective of Jolie and her daughters as he guided them around.
Meet Angelina Jolie’s Rumored New Beau
The man rumored to be romantically linked with Jolie is none other than Kingslee James McLean Daley, better known by his stage name, Akala. He is a celebrated British rapper, poet, and activist known for his thought-provoking lyrics and dedication to social causes.
Akala has been a prominent voice in the UK music scene, using his platform to address issues such as racial inequality, youth empowerment, and social justice.
He has released several acclaimed albums, including “It’s Not a Rumour,” which featured some of his most popular tracks like “Shakespeare,” showcasing his lyrical prowess and unique style that blends grime, hip-hop, and poetry.
The rapper’s talents have not gone unnoticed, as he has earned accolades including the Best Hip-Hop Act at the MOBO Awards and a BAFTA nomination for his work in the arts.
Beyond his music, Akala is highly respected as a writer and public speaker, with his 2018 book “Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire” receiving widespread praise for its unflinching look at British history and contemporary society.
Akala at the 2008 BT Digital Music Awards on October 1 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Adding another layer of intrigue, Akala comes from a family of talented artists. His older sister is none other than singer, songwriter, record producer, and rapper Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, who gained fame in the early 2000s under her stage name, Ms. Dynamite.
Akala and his sister Ms. Dynamite backstage, circa 2006. | Source: Getty Images
She became a household name with hits like “Dy-Na-Mi-Tee” and “It Takes More,” showcasing her unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and reggae influences.
Ms. Dynamite’s debut album, “A Little Deeper,” won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2002, cementing her status as one of the UK’s most influential female artists of the time.
Ms. Dynamite at the Red Bull Culture Clash on November 7, 2012, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
While Akala has a celebrated sister, his connection to the famous actress Jolie has certainly caught the public’s attention, not just because of their respective fame but also due to their shared commitment to social issues.
Akala at the MOBO Awards on November 4, 2015, in Leeds, England. | Source: Getty Images
A source revealed, “They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes. They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”
Akala at the world premiere of “Blue Story” on November 14, 2019, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Social Media Reactions to Jolie and Akala’s Rumored Relationship
Since being seen together severally, news of Jolie’s rumored relationship with Akala quickly made waves on social media, and users were not shy about sharing their thoughts.
While some were intrigued by the unlikely pairing, others were more critical. Some social media users warned Akala about getting involved with Jolie, suggesting she was not the right kind of woman for him.
“Watch out new man,” one personÂshared on X, formerly known as Twitter. “New man, watch out!! She’s not a good woman!!” another social media userÂcommented. “Poor guy!” someone elseÂtyped.
Other users also took issue with the noticeable age gap between Jolie, 48, and Akala, 39. “Isn’t she too old for him?” one person shared. “IS SHE 3 TIMES HIS AGE?”Âanother social media user remarked. “Is he not a bit young for her!!?” someone else commented.
Meanwhile, others went as far as to say that Jolie was taking a step down by being linked with Akala, drawing comparisons between the British rapper and her ex-husband.
“She has stepped down,” one person shared. Another added, “He would be lucky to get her.” Someone else wrote, “Jolie has taken a step down after Pitt.”
Others praised Akala, with one person writing, “He’s pretty smart.”ÂAnother person noted, “He is talented, intelligent, and fine!!!!” A third social media user added, “He’s gorgeous, though.”
However, despite the swirling rumors and intense scrutiny, a source confirmed that Jolie and Akala are not dating. A close insider clarified, “She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle.”
Chanelle Newman at LAVO Ristorante on February 5, 2023, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Adding more context, Chanelle Newman is not only Akala’s romantic partner but also his business partner and manager. She is also the co-founder and managing director of The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company. Besides, she was actually present the day Jolie and Akala were spotted leaving a hotel together.
Chanelle Newman and Akala at The House of KOKO’s opening party on April 28, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Angelina Jolie’s rumored relationship with Akala stirred up plenty of buzz, but it turned out the speculation was far from reality. Despite the public fascination and critical social media reactions, the truth was much simpler — Jolie and Akala are just friends who share a deep commitment to activism.