Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau were photographed kissing on a yacht off Santa Barbara, a sun-splashed tableau that quickly lit up social media and reignited speculation about their relationship.
The images, first circulated over the weekend and attributed to photos published by the Daily Mail, appear to have been taken in late September and show the pair embracing on the upper deck of Perry’s vessel.
Entertainment outlet TMZ reported the scene unfolded near passing whale-watchers who glimpsed the couple at close range.
The sighting follows a summer of tabloid intrigue that began after the singer and Canada’s former prime minister were spotted dining together in Montreal in July, with additional buzz after a walk on Mount Royal.
Weekend coverage noted that the two were later seen being openly affectionate aboard the yacht, adding fresh fuel to talk that their friendship had become something more.
Neither Perry nor Trudeau has publicly commented on the photos as of publication.
Context around each star’s personal life has kept interest high. Perry and actor Orlando Bloom ended their engagement in June after years together, according to multiple entertainment publications at the time.
People and other outlets reported the split over the summer, and Los Angeles Times coverage recapped how both have emphasized co-parenting their young daughter. Those reports did not indicate any overlap between relationships.
Trudeau, who led Canada’s Liberal Party for nearly a decade, announced a separation from Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in August 2023, a decision both described as focused on family privacy and co-parenting.
Earlier this year he stepped aside as party leader, with Mark Carney sworn in as prime minister in March. That change formally made Trudeau a former prime minister months before the Santa Barbara photos surfaced.
Details from the latest images show the pair relaxed and smiling as they lounged on deck and shared a kiss under clear skies off the Central Coast.
TMZ, citing eyewitness accounts, said the yacht pulled alongside a small tour boat before the affectionate moment drew gasps and camera phones.
The outlet’s report placed the encounter in late September and described casual attire suitable for a warm day on the water.
