Angelina Jolie has sparked debate after she was spotted with British rapper and political activist Akala, reigniting speculation about the nature of their relationship.

The 49-year-old Oscar-winning actress hosted a chic soirée for her brand, Atelier Jolie, in New York City this weekend, which the 40-year-old artist also attended.

The evening saw Angelina dazzling in a sleek black outfit, with her accentuated hair elegantly down, while Akala kept it casual in a black crew-neck T-shirt and matching shorts.

Despite being spotted at the same event, TMZ reports that the two are “just good friends” and that the rapper is reportedly in a committed relationship with Chanelle Newman, the co-founder and executive producer of his Hiphop Shakespeare Company.

This latest sighting comes after Akala joined Jolie for the 62nd New York Film Festival premiere of her film Maria at Lincoln Center.

© Vincenzo Aloisi/MEGA

Their back-to-back outings have got fans buzzing, especially considering the rapper and the Hollywood star were also spotted together in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival in August.

Akala, whose real name is Kingslee James McLean Daley, is a multi-talented artist known for his sharp political insights and contributions to British culture.

© Vincenzo Aloisi/MEGA

In May last year, Akala was featured with Angelina and her daughters, Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18, at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica.

According to an eyewitness, he seemed “very protective” of Angelina’s children, leading to initial speculation about the nature of their bond.

Their public outings continued, including a joint dinner in Milan. For Angelina, who has been single since her highly publicized divorce from Brad, Akala’s company seems like a refreshing change. The duo’s shared passion for activism and social causes has only increased the intrigue surrounding their connection.

© ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Angelina has kept a relatively low profile when it comes to her love life following her bitter divorce from Brad.

The couple’s tumultuous relationship began in 2004 on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, when Brad was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their undeniable chemistry sparked a media frenzy and ultimately one of the most talked-about relationships in Hollywood. The couple, often called “Brangelina,” had six children together: Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.

After almost ten years together, they finally tied the knot in 2014 in an intimate ceremony at their Château Miraval estate in France. But just two years later, the marriage crumbled when Angelina filed for divorce in 2016, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

© Stam Negen Studios/Mega

Since then, the ex-couple has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle over custody arrangements and the division of their assets, particularly their shared interest in the French winery.

The estate dispute intensified when Angelina sold her stake in the winery, a move that reportedly blindsided Brad.

The sale sparked a slew of legal arguments, with Brad’s legal team accusing Angelina of undermining the company. Jolie, for her part, stated that she sold her shares to become financially independent from her ex-husband.

© Todd Williamson/Shutterstock for ebmrf

Their feud over Château Miraval, once a symbol of their shared dreams, has become a bitter reminder of their fraught relationship.

While Brad has since moved on and is in a relationship with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, Angelina has focused on her work, her humanitarian efforts, and raising her children. The actress has kept her romantic life private, but her repeated public appearances with Akala have sparked a wave of curiosity.

Known for his advocacy on race and class issues in Britain, Akala has built a reputation for being more than just a musician. His book Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire received critical acclaim and cemented his status as a leading voice in social justice. He is also the younger brother of rapper Ms. Dynamite, which adds a new layer to his well-known family tree.