Angelina Jolie and British star Akala are said to have bonded over their shared love of history and his fountain of knowledge, with insiders revealing his insight is providing inspiration as she hunts material for her next project.
While the Maria actress, 49, and the political activist and author, 40, have yet to confirm if they are dating, sources have claimed that they are ‘seeing each other and hanging out regularly.’
Akala has been educating Angelina on Britain’s colonial past and the country’s prominent Black figures, and has also introduced her to his family.
‘Akala has been teaching Angelina Jolie a lot about Black British history as she looks for new source material for films,’ a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
‘He introduced her to the Kelso Cochrane story. She is a keen historian so there have been a lot of conversations about Olive Morris and Kelso.’
Angelina Jolie and her rumored new boyfriend Akala are said to have bonded over their shared love of history
According to insiders, Akala has been teaching Angelina Jolie a lot about Black British history (pictured at the Venice Film Festival in August)
The source also revealed that Akala, whose sister is the acclaimed British rapper Ms Dynamite, has also introduced Angelina to some of his most trusted friends and family.
They continued: ‘They are seeing each other and hanging out regularly and Akala loves how fearless and independent she is.
‘They were introduced through a charitable venture they were both supporting, and Angelina has been interested in learning more about his activism and loves his sister’s music.’
A separate source insisted their is no romantic connection as Akala is dating Chanelle Newman, his business partner.
It comes amid reports the couple were holed up at London hotel The Corinthia last week.
‘Angelina and Akala have been secretly spending nights together at her London hotel The Corinthia,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Angelina arrived at the hotel via the loading bay at around 8pm on Wednesday before being joined by Akala at around 10pm.
‘The pair spent Wednesday and Thursday night together inside the hotel and did not leave.’
Akala has reportedly introduced the Maria actress to his friends and family
Sources have claimed Angelina and Akala are’ seeing each other and hanging out regularly’
Angelina is said to have grown closer to Akala in the wake of her bitter split from her ex-husband Brad Pitt, with their relationship blossoming five years after she was legally declared single.
‘They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes,’ a source told People last year.
‘They did several collabs over the years that focus on global issues like human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.’
Last month, fans questioned if Angelina and Akala had confirm their relationship on Instagram when he was clearly seen in a photo uploaded to her brand Atelier Jolie’s social media page.
Angelina had been hosting a special listening party and panel discussion for Mustafa’s album, Dunya, in New York City.
Akala was photographed at the event, with images of the Oscar-winning actress also appearing in the same photo gallery upload.
Two days prior, he supported her at the premiere for her new film Maria at the 62nd New York Film Festival held at the Lincoln Center.
Photographers captured a sweet moment from the event, which saw her look on proudly as Akala and her son Pax, 20, shared an embrace.
Rumors first started flying that the pair were an item when Akala joined Angelina and her daughters Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18, at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica in May 2023.
An eyewitness shared at the time that he was ‘very protective of them as he shepherded them around.’
They enjoyed dinner together in Milan six months later, In Touch also claimed.
Last month, fans speculated that they had confirmed they were in a relationship on Instagram
Akala and his sister MS Dynamite (pictured in 2007) who Angelina is said to be a fan of
In addition to Pax, Zahara and Shiloh, Angelina and her ex-husband Brad share sons Maddox, 22, and 15-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox.
Akala – born Kingslee James McLean Daley – started out as a rapper before moving into political activism, endorsing former Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election.
He cofounded Immovable Studios with Channelle and also launched The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company, which explores the parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and that of modern-day hip-hop artists.
His sister, Ms Dynamite – real name Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley – enjoyed a string of hits in the early 2000s with her debut album A Little Deeper, which won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
