Janet Jackson & Maxwell’s West End Hand-Hold Sparks Romance Buzz
Low-key, I’m mostly scrolling past, but Janet Jackson and Maxwell gave us that hand-holding photo we’re all talking about. On July 7, the two Grammy icons stepped out for the 1,500th show of Cabaret at London’s Playhouse Theatre, serving tailored suiting realness and side-eyeing single life vibes. Janet, 59, was draped in a crisp all-white suit paired with chunky silver jewelry, while Maxwell, 52, matched her energy in a black pinstripe ensemble and gold-rimmed glasses. Paparazzi caught them linking hands on arrival, then buzzing around separately inside before reuniting for a few more snaps—naturally fueling fan theories about something more than friendship.
E! News confirms they’ve been pals for years; the duo hit countless red carpets together, from Maxwell crashing Janet’s Together Again tour meet-and-greet in Brooklyn last July to informal hangouts at industry events. Their chemistry isn’t exactly new, but the hand-hold felt like a spotlight shift. Their reps haven’t commented, so everything remains speculative. Still, this outing marks the first time they’ve been seen so touchy-feely since Janet split from ex-husband Wissam Al Mana in 2017—they share 8-year-old son Eissa—and the longtime performer’s two earlier marriages (to René Elizondo Jr. and James DeBarge) officially support her “I’m single but open to new lenses” mantra she shared with The Guardian last September.
If you thought Janet’s love life was low-drama, consider this your appetizer. Meanwhile, other stars are making headlines with their own romance chapters. Selena Gomez and producer-turned-fiancé Benny Blanco went public with their relationship in December 2023 and announced an engagement in December 2024—proof that creative partnerships can turn into forever-after vows. Ashanti and Nelly rekindled their early-2000s chemistry and celebrated their first baby in July 2024 after tying the knot in April. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are deep into family mode (hello, daughter Malti Marie), while Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue their “cruel summer” love story, which kicked off after a cheeky podcast shout-out. Even Miley Cyrus and drummer Maxx Morando have quietly kept the flame alive since they reunited in 2023.
So, was this London outing a casual friend date or the scene of a slow-burn romance revelation? Only time—and maybe more hand-hold paparazzi rounds—will tell. If this trends, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Cool story, right? I’ll casually ignore this until next week’s hand-holding saga.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, The Guardian
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
