A glaring detail has emerged after Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau were photographed kissing on a yacht.
It looks like the popstar and former Canadian Prime Minister might be officially an item as the pair confirmed their romance with a yacht rendezvous that was packed with a full view of whale-watching and PDA.
When did Perry and Trudeau's romance begin?
The rumored romance between Perry, 40, and Trudeau, 53, has allegedly been bubbling under the surface for months.
In July, the two were spotted dining at upscale Montreal restaurant Le Violon, where, according to TMZ, they enjoyed a luxurious seafood dinner, including lobster, while sipping cocktails and chatting closely.
The 'Fireworks' musician was seen leaning in, brushing her hair, and smiling throughout the conversation. Both had discreet security teams present, and guards reportedly monitored the dinner through a strategically placed mirror above the bar.
At the time, no one knew if the dinner was romantic or platonic, but fans have seemingly since gotten their answer with the latest yacht photos.
Two Breakups
The new couple's connection comes not long after both stars finalized public splits.
Perry and longtime partner Orlando Bloom officially ended their relationship in early July.
“Representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting,” a joint statement read. “They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is – and always will be raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect.”
The former couple began dating in 2016, got engaged in 2019, welcomed daughter Daisy Dove in 2020, and had previously taken a break in 2017, citing the need for “respectful but loving space".
Trudeau, meanwhile, announced in August 2023 that he and his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau were separating after 18 years of marriage.
"Hi everyone, Sophie and I would like to share the fact that after many meaningful and difficult conversations, we have made the decision to separate," he wrote in a since-deleted post on Instagram. "As always, we remain a close family with deep love and respect for each other and for everything we have built and will continue to build."
The former model and TV host shares three children with him: Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. The split was notable not just for its profile, but because it marked the second time a sitting Canadian prime minister publicly separated from a spouse: Trudeau’s father, Pierre, also split from his wife Margaret in office, back in 1977.
A Double Standard in the Headlines
But beyond the yacht kiss, the real story might just be what’s not being said. Despite a 13-year age gap between Trudeau and Perry, media coverage has remained relatively quiet on the subject - a sharp contrast to how female celebrities are often treated when they date younger men.
“Now pretend that Perry’s fling was with a 27-year-old chap,” a columnist from News.com.au noted. “Their age gap would be the story and you wouldn’t be able to move for all the oohh-err – ‘Cougar Katy, 40, caught in SEXY clinch!!’ – type pieces. Those 13 years would be the defining feature and not just a simple fact.”
In contrast, men in Hollywood continue to date younger women with barely a raised eyebrow, for example, Brad Pitt, 61, who is reportedly living with 32-year-old Ines de Ramon.
Jackie Apostel, by comparison, had to defend her relationship with Cruz Beckham, who is nine years her junior, soon to be 10. “Because he’s kind, funny, smart, caring, driven, mature, talented, loyal, and also quite handsome,” she responded to a critic who asked: “Why is a 29-year-old dating a 20 [year-old], that’s just weird," The Independent reported.
The double standard is hard to ignore - and the examples are everywhere. “When it comes to the bedrock-deep double standard around age and dating in Hollywood, I’m not sure I’ve ever been spoiled for so many examples," the columnist added.
For now, Perry and Trudeau seem to be enjoying their summer romance unbothered, on their own terms.