Christine Baranski has ended speculation of a romantic relationship with singer King Princess, with her representative telling Us Weekly they are “strictly friends”. The 73-year-old actress and the 26-year-old pop star, whose real name is Mikaela Straus, were seen holding hands at theatre events, sparking dating rumours.
The pair first raised eyebrows at the opening night of The Picture of Dorian Gray earlier this year, and were again photographed hand-in-hand at the Broadway gala reopening of Mamma Mia. King Princess added fuel to the fire by sharing a photo with the caption “#loveislove”. Fans were divided, with some celebrating and others sceptical.
Baranski’s representative clarified: “Christine and King Princess are strictly friends and nothing more. They have never been in a relationship, nor are they now, and the dating rumours are pure speculation.” The two met while filming season two of Nine Perfect Strangers, where King Princess made her acting debut.
In an interview with Interview Magazine, Baranski explained how they bonded over martinis and stories about their grandmothers. “We sat at the bar, ordered our martinis, and suddenly we’re talking about our grandmothers who deeply affected and influenced our lives. I think that’s where we profoundly bonded.”
King Princess herself had playfully warned Baranski: “Well, be careful, Christine, because people will talk.” Baranski, who has kept a low profile since the death of her husband in 2014, described the friendship as “a great gift”.
