Recent reports have linked Angelina Jolie, 49, with British rapper, activist, and author Akala, whose real name is Kingslee James McLean Daley, 40. The two have been seen together at various events, including film premieres and literary festivals, sparking speculation about a possible romantic relationship…
Angelina Jolie is not romancing the British rapper Akala, a source tells PEOPLE.
Despite a recent report claiming that Jolie, 49, and Akala, 40, are spending time together in London, a source close to Jolie tells PEOPLE that the Oscar winner is simply “close friends with Akala and his partner”. The source stresses that Akala’s partner “has also been at every event” Jolie and Akala have appeared at in recent days.
“They all work together,” the source says. “Angelina remains focused on her family and is not dating at this time.”
PEOPLE has reached out to Akala’s rep for comment.
This is the second time the source close to Jolie has clarified that the actress and Akala, whose real name is Kingsley James McLean Daley, are not an item. Back in May, In Touch reported that Jolie had been privately seeing Akala for “more than a year,” while reports that they were dating surfaced again after they were seen leaving a hotel together in Venice during the Venice Film Festival in August.
“She and Akala are not dating. She is friends with him and his partner, Chanelle, who was also there,” the source told PEOPLE on Aug. 29. Another source at the time said the pair have been friends for “several years” and that they “share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes.”
Aside from Akala’s work in music — he has released five albums and multiple EPs since starting his recording career in the early 2000s — he is also an author, having published the nonfiction book Natives: Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire in 2019.
“They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights,” the second source added. “Angie speaks very highly of him.”
Jolie appeared in London recently for the London Film Festival premiere of her new acclaimed movie Maria, in which she portrays the famed 20th century opera singer Maria Callas.