How British rapper Akala, 40, supported Angelina Jolie, 49, at her Maria premiere amid her bitter legal battle with ex Brad Pitt – but what is REALLY going on between the rumoured couple?

Angelina Jolie was supported by her rumored new love interest, British rapper Akala, as she attended the premiere of her new film Maria in New York on Sunday night.

Actress Jolie, 49, has been spotted in public several times with political activist Akala, 40, amid her ongoing bitter legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt.

The actress sparked romance rumors with Akala when the pair were spotted leaving her hotel in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival in August, even though sources told People they are just friends.

And on Sunday, he joined her in a public appearance together at the Maria premiere as part of the 62nd New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center.

Angelina watched proudly as Akala and son Pax, 20, shared a sweet hug at the event.

Actress Jolie, 49, has been spotted in public several times with political activist Akala, 40, amid her ongoing bitter split from ex-husband Brad Pitt

They also recently became ‘Instagram official’ after Akala was seen at a party in New York City hosted by Jolie for her company Atelier Jolie.

Akala is clearly seen in a photo at the event, moments before images of the Oscar-winning actress appeared in the same photo gallery.

Despite their apparent closeness, sources have continued to insist the couple are not an item, with an insider sharing that Angelina is “friends with him and his partner, Chanelle.” [Newman] who was also there’.

In the aftermath of her bitter split from Brad Pitt, Angelina grew close to the rapper and political activist.

Yet the pair share a strong bond, with a second source saying: ‘They share the same passion when it comes to social and humanitarian causes.

‘They have done several collabs over the years that focus on global issues such as human rights. Angie speaks very highly of him.’

In Touch claimed that the actress had been seeing the musician privately for “more than a year.”

However, People’s source claimed that Angelina is “currently single and not seriously dating.”

Actress Jolie, 49, has been seen in public several times with political activist Akala, 40, amid her ongoing bitter legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt (seen with Brad in 2015)

Angelina proudly watched as Akala and son Pax, 20, shared a sweet hug at the event in New York

The actress sparked romance rumors with Akala when the pair emerged from her hotel in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival in August.

MailOnline contacted Angelina’s representatives for comment at the time.

Jolie has been spotted in public with Akala several times amid her ongoing bitter split from Pitt, even though sources have told People they are just friends.

The actress sparked romance rumors with Akala when the pair emerged from her hotel in Italy during the Venice International Film Festival in August.

In Touch claimed that the actress had been seeing the musician privately for “more than a year.”

The rumors first started when Akala joined Jolie and her daughters Zahara, 19, and Shiloh, 18, at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica last May.

An eyewitness at the time said Akala was “very protective of them as he showed them around.”

Six months later, they enjoyed dinner together in Milan, In Touch also claimed.

In addition to Zahara and Shiloh, Jolie and her ex-husband Pitt share sons Maddox, 22, Pax and 15-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox.

Akala, born Kingslee James McLean Daley, started out as a rapper before turning to political activism and supporting former Labor MP Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 British general election.

His elder sister is also the famous singer and rapper Ms. Dynamite.

Ms Dynamite, 43 – 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.

Akala is reportedly dating Chanelle Newman, co-founder and executive producer of Akala’s music and the Hip-hop Shakespeare Company.

In Touch also claimed that the Maleficent star had also been seeing another man, Broadway composer Justin Levine.

Jolie and Levine were spotted together at the A New York Evening With The Outsiders at The Greene Space in New York City on Monday.

“Angelina has been seeing two different men in the past year,” a source claimed to the outlet.

Tony award winner Levine was part of the Broadway production of The Outsiders, the musical that Jolie produced.

In Touch reports that he co-wrote the book and score for the play. Jolie’s daughter Vivienne also worked as a producer’s assistant on the program.

“Angie adores Justin, and they spend so much time together that many people think the relationship could turn romantic,” the source said.

An insider also shared with the site that the men are “completely different,” but Jolie “falls for both.”

The new romance rumors come five years after Jolie was declared legally single by Pitt.

Jolie and Pitt are also still embroiled in a legal dispute over Chateau Miraval, the winery they shared as a couple in the south of France.

The feud over the property stems from Angelina selling her half to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler for $62 million in 2021 during her divorce proceedings.

Akala, 40, born Kingslee James McLean Daley, started out as a rapper before turning to political activism and supporting former Labor MP Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 British general election

Akala also has a famous older sister, singer and rapper Ms. Dynamite (pictured in 2009)

The Maleficent star is rumored to have been seeing another man, Broadway composer Justin Levine; pictured at this year’s Tony Awards

Pitt sued her over the sale, insisting that she was contractually obligated to obtain his consent before offloading her share of the Chateau Miraval.

Jolie has addressed her abuse allegations and custody battle during her years-long legal feud with Brad over the Chateau Miraval.

She has asked Pitt to “end the fighting” and drop the lawsuit against her at the winery so their family can have a chance to “heal.”

However, sources told DailyMail.com that Pitt has “no intention” of dropping the lawsuit, claiming Angelina only asked him to do so after discovering her case is weaker than she initially expected.

“Brad isn’t going to drop this lawsuit – why would he? This was a very standard business dispute, but unfortunately Angelina has consistently introduced personal elements meant for divorce court,” the insider said.