Madonna, 66, was recently seen with her rumored boyfriend, 28-year-old Akeem Morris, in New York City. Their appearance together has sparked more interest in their relationship.
According to Page Six, Madonna wore a warm jacket and scarf, while Morris dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and coat as they walked together. This sighting comes months after rumors about their relationship began.
They have been spending time together frequently in recent months. In August, they celebrated Madonna’s 66th birthday in Italy. Photos from the event showed them appearing close. Their bond has reportedly grown stronger since Madonna’s breakup with her former boyfriend, Josh Popper, earlier this year.
Frequent Public Appearances Strengthen Speculation
In September, Madonna and Morris attended a soccer match in London. Madonna shared pictures from her trip, including some with Morris, making their connection even more noticeable.
One of the photos showed them smiling as they took a selfie at Stamford Bridge stadium during a Chelsea FC game. Another picture captured Madonna holding Morris’ arm as they left the stadium.
In October, they went to a Billie Eilish concert together. Morris has also gotten closer to Madonna’s family. In August, he met her children at her twins’ 12th birthday party.
The Beginning of Their Connection
Rumors about Madonna and Morris started in July when she posted cozy pictures of them together. In August, she shared another photo that showed her appearing to go shirtless while Morris smiled in the background.
Although the romance rumors started in 2023, Madonna and Morris have known each other since 2022. Morris participated in a photoshoot with Madonna for Paper Magazine that year.
Morris’ Ex-Girlfriend Reacts to His Relationship With Madonna
Reagan Rice, a 27-year-old marketing director, was shocked to learn that her ex-boyfriend was now linked to Madonna. Rice and Morris dated for two and a half years before breaking up in September 2023. She found out about Morris’ relationship with Madonna when they publicly confirmed it on social media in July.
“It’s such a strange thing,” Rice said. “I found out with everyone else when they made it official online.”
Rice and Morris’ Relationship Before Madonna
Rice and Morris met in March 2021 during separate vacations in Las Vegas. After exchanging numbers, they started a long-distance relationship. Over the next few years, they took turns visiting each other.
In 2022, Morris started working part-time for Madonna as a caretaker for one of her children. That same year, he appeared in a photoshoot with her. Rice noticed changes in their relationship after that. The couple briefly broke up but got back together in December 2022 after a trip to Jamaica.
In September 2023, they officially ended their relationship. Rice had hoped they might reunite, but when she saw Madonna and Morris together in July 2024, she realized it was over.
Moving Forward Despite the Headlines
Rice admitted that it has been difficult seeing her ex’s relationship with Madonna in the media. However, she has found support from friends and family. They have helped her laugh about the situation. She has also used TikTok to share her feelings about moving on.
Although she and Morris no longer speak, Rice said she does not hold any resentment toward him. “I still have love for him,” she said. “He was a great partner when we were together.”
Rice believes Morris fits into Madonna’s lifestyle well. “He’s very attractive, intelligent, and adaptable,” she said. “He has the qualities needed to be in such a high-profile relationship.”
She also thinks he will embrace Madonna’s role as a mother. “He definitely wanted kids,” she said. Rice has come to accept the situation and appreciates her past relationship. She concluded, “He is the perfect match for her.”
Rice has spent the past few months processing her emotions and coming to terms with her ex-boyfriend’s new relationship. Although it was difficult at first, she now sees it as an opportunity to grow and move forward.
She has taken time to reflect on her relationship with Morris and what it meant to her. “I loved him, and I know he cared for me too,” she said. “But sometimes, life takes people in different directions.” She realizes that Morris is now living a very different life from the one they shared, and she is slowly making peace with that.
Rice acknowledges that dating someone in the public eye would not have been easy for her. “I’m just a normal person,” she explained. “I don’t think I would have been comfortable with all the media attention.” She believes Morris has the kind of personality that allows him to adapt to such a high-profile lifestyle.
She has also found comfort in the idea that their relationship served its purpose. “We had a beautiful connection, and I don’t regret it,” she said. “But I also know that if we were meant to be together, we would have been.”
Madonna and Morris (Credit: Getty Images)Looking Toward the Future
Rice is now focused on herself and her future. She has learned a lot from her relationship with Morris, and she wants to take those lessons into her next chapter. She is spending more time with friends and family, focusing on her career, and exploring new interests.
“I’ve realized that my happiness doesn’t depend on who I’m with,” she said. “It comes from within.” She is determined to move forward with a positive mindset and embrace whatever comes next.
Rice also hopes that people will stop viewing her only as Morris’ ex-girlfriend. “I’m my own person,” she said. “I have my own dreams, my own goals, and my own story to tell.”
Although she may never have expected her ex-boyfriend to end up with a global superstar, she has accepted it. “It’s a wild story,” she admitted. “But at the end of the day, it’s just life.”
She wishes Morris and Madonna well but is focused on herself now. “I have nothing but love for him,” she said. “But I’m ready to move on and see what’s next for me.”
Rice is determined to make the most of this new phase in her life. “Every experience, good or bad, teaches us something,” she said. “I’m grateful for the memories, but I’m excited about the future.”