Is Janet Jackson searching for someone to call her lover?

The Grammy-winning singer ignited relationship rumors with R&B musician Maxwell on Monday, July 7, when the two were spotted holding hands as they arrived at an event in London.

Jackson, 59, smiled as she and Maxwell, 52, went hand in hand into the Playhouse Theatre for Cabaret’s 1,500th performance, according to photos and fan videos shared on social media.

She wore an all-white pantsuit with a slicked-back hairstyle, and the “Sumthin’ Sumthin'” singer matched her outfit in all black. Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter were among the other celebrities who attended the milestone event.

Jackson’s disclosure comes eight years after she divorced ex-husband Wissam Al Mana following five years of marriage. Eissa, the two’s kid, is eight years old.

“[Motherhood is] the most amazing thing.” I’m so grateful that God allowed me to have this experience, this journey in my life,” she told the BBC in July 2024. “And I love every single minute of it.”

In the same interview, Jackson joked about her love life, saying, “How many times have I been married now?” I believe she had three past marriages.

In a September 2024 interview with the Guardian, Jackson disclosed that she is single but believes she has broken away from abusive control in relationships.

“I’m single, so I pray to God that I might have different lenses on these eyes than I did before,” she told me. “I know that if someone came along, even if I didn’t recognize it, my friends would shake me and ask, ‘What are you doing?'” But I suppose I’m seeing things differently today. I suppose I’m breaking the trend.”

Jackson was honored with the ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards in May, when she sang favorites such as “All for You” and “Someone to Call My Lover.”

“I feel really honored. I am really grateful.” I mean, no disrespect, but I don’t consider myself an icon,” she stated as she accepted her prize. “My family’s and my dream was never to be famous. We were not raised like that. We’ve always had a passion for music, dancing, and singing, and success came because of hard work and devotion. My tale, and that of my family, is a true American narrative. Such an event would only have occurred in America.”

The artist completed a 10-date engagement in Las Vegas earlier this year and has six fresh concerts planned for September.