Angelina Jolie and Rapper Akala Are 'Not Dating' and Are Just 'Friends' (Exclusive Source)

Mar. 15, 2025

Angelina Jolie, Akala.Photo:Maria Moratti/Getty; Dave Benett/GettyAngelina Jolieand rapper Akala are not dating, despite reports of them being an item surfacing after they were seen together leaving a hotel in Venice, exclusive sources tell PEOPLE.“She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there,” one source tells PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 29.Prior to the photographs of the two at the film festival,In Touchclaimed in May that the actress, 49, had been privately seeing the British musician, 40, for “more than a year.”The Oscar-winning actress has been friends with Akala for “several years,” a second source tells PEOPLE. Jolie, 49, is currently single and not dating seriously, the source confirms.“They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,” the second source tells PEOPLE. “They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”Akala on April 27, 2018 in London, England.Ollie Millington/RedfernsThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!The speculation around Jolie’s friendship with the rapper comes eight years after Jolie and ex-husbandBrad Pittdivorced.Since their split, the two have engaged in a years-long legal saga involving disagreements about properties, businesses and custody of theirsix children: sonsMaddoxandPax Thien, daughtersZahara MarleyandShiloh Nouveland twinsKnox LéonandVivienne Marcheline.Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Both Jolie and Pitt are attending the 2024 Venice Film Festival this year. Jolie is promoting her latest project,Maria, with directorPablo Larraín, and Pitt is promoting his new film,Wolfs.The festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera recently toldVanity Fairthat “of course"their appearances on the red carpet are spread out.“Angelina will be on the first day, on Thursday [Aug.] 29, and she will leave right after with [Mariadirector]Pablo Larraínto go to [the] Telluride [Film Festival],” he told the outlet. “Brad will arrive only on Saturday, to Venice. There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido.“Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Maria Moratti/GettyJolie’s film premiered on Thursday, and the actress received aneight-minute standing ovation, along with glowing reviews for her performance asopera singer Maria Callas.Ahead of the premiere, Jolie spoke during the Thursday press conference about her personal connection to the late Callas.“I think the way I related to her may be a surprise — [it was] probably the part of her that’s extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she truly was, and as emotionally open as she truly was,” she said of Callas. “I share her vulnerability more than anything.”

Angelina Jolie, Akala.Photo:Maria Moratti/Getty; Dave Benett/Getty

Maria Moratti/Getty; Dave Benett/Getty

Angelina Jolieand rapper Akala are not dating, despite reports of them being an item surfacing after they were seen together leaving a hotel in Venice, exclusive sources tell PEOPLE.“She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there,” one source tells PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 29.Prior to the photographs of the two at the film festival,In Touchclaimed in May that the actress, 49, had been privately seeing the British musician, 40, for “more than a year.”The Oscar-winning actress has been friends with Akala for “several years,” a second source tells PEOPLE. Jolie, 49, is currently single and not dating seriously, the source confirms.“They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,” the second source tells PEOPLE. “They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”Akala on April 27, 2018 in London, England.Ollie Millington/RedfernsThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!The speculation around Jolie’s friendship with the rapper comes eight years after Jolie and ex-husbandBrad Pittdivorced.Since their split, the two have engaged in a years-long legal saga involving disagreements about properties, businesses and custody of theirsix children: sonsMaddoxandPax Thien, daughtersZahara MarleyandShiloh Nouveland twinsKnox LéonandVivienne Marcheline.Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Both Jolie and Pitt are attending the 2024 Venice Film Festival this year. Jolie is promoting her latest project,Maria, with directorPablo Larraín, and Pitt is promoting his new film,Wolfs.The festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera recently toldVanity Fairthat “of course"their appearances on the red carpet are spread out.“Angelina will be on the first day, on Thursday [Aug.] 29, and she will leave right after with [Mariadirector]Pablo Larraínto go to [the] Telluride [Film Festival],” he told the outlet. “Brad will arrive only on Saturday, to Venice. There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido.“Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Maria Moratti/GettyJolie’s film premiered on Thursday, and the actress received aneight-minute standing ovation, along with glowing reviews for her performance asopera singer Maria Callas.Ahead of the premiere, Jolie spoke during the Thursday press conference about her personal connection to the late Callas.“I think the way I related to her may be a surprise — [it was] probably the part of her that’s extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she truly was, and as emotionally open as she truly was,” she said of Callas. “I share her vulnerability more than anything.”

Angelina Jolieand rapper Akala are not dating, despite reports of them being an item surfacing after they were seen together leaving a hotel in Venice, exclusive sources tell PEOPLE.

“She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there,” one source tells PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Prior to the photographs of the two at the film festival,In Touchclaimed in May that the actress, 49, had been privately seeing the British musician, 40, for “more than a year.”

The Oscar-winning actress has been friends with Akala for “several years,” a second source tells PEOPLE. Jolie, 49, is currently single and not dating seriously, the source confirms.

“They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,” the second source tells PEOPLE. “They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.”

Akala on April 27, 2018 in London, England.Ollie Millington/Redferns

Ollie Millington/Redferns

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The speculation around Jolie’s friendship with the rapper comes eight years after Jolie and ex-husbandBrad Pittdivorced.

Since their split, the two have engaged in a years-long legal saga involving disagreements about properties, businesses and custody of theirsix children: sonsMaddoxandPax Thien, daughtersZahara MarleyandShiloh Nouveland twinsKnox LéonandVivienne Marcheline.

Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Both Jolie and Pitt are attending the 2024 Venice Film Festival this year. Jolie is promoting her latest project,Maria, with directorPablo Larraín, and Pitt is promoting his new film,Wolfs.

The festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera recently toldVanity Fairthat “of course"their appearances on the red carpet are spread out.

“Angelina will be on the first day, on Thursday [Aug.] 29, and she will leave right after with [Mariadirector]Pablo Larraínto go to [the] Telluride [Film Festival],” he told the outlet. “Brad will arrive only on Saturday, to Venice. There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido.”

Angelina Jolie on August 29, 2024 in Venice, Italy.Maria Moratti/Getty

Maria Moratti/Getty

Jolie’s film premiered on Thursday, and the actress received aneight-minute standing ovation, along with glowing reviews for her performance asopera singer Maria Callas.

Ahead of the premiere, Jolie spoke during the Thursday press conference about her personal connection to the late Callas.

“I think the way I related to her may be a surprise — [it was] probably the part of her that’s extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she truly was, and as emotionally open as she truly was,” she said of Callas. “I share her vulnerability more than anything.”

source: people.com