Madonna has been sharing more about her boyfriend, soccer player Akeem Morris, adding pictures to carousels on Instagram that show them jet-setting across the world and generally being in love.
The pop icon had a challenging year of recovery after being hospitalized with septic shock in summer 2023. In July 2024, she celebrated her health in a post that included shots of Morris.
“Happy 4th of July!” she wrote. “A year ago today, I had just come home from the hospital after surviving a life threatening illness, I could barely stand in my backyard holding one sparkler. I made a miraculous recovery and had an amazing year. Thank you God. Life is beautiful!”
In the photos, she’s walking on her boyfriend’s arm, enjoying fireworks with him on the roof, and then getting cozy with him on the couch. Here’s what we know so far about Morris and his relationship with Madonna.
Who is Akeem Morris?
The 28-year-old soccer player was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica. He eventually moved to New York for college, attending Stony Brook University. He played soccer during school and then for the Oyster Bay United FC, which is a premiere league team. He doesn’t seem to have much of a social media presence, but it looks like he currently lives in New York City.
How long have them been together?
In 2022, Morris appeared in the photo shoot for her August cover of Paper Magazine. The singer was dating boxer Joshua Popper through most of 2023, possibly longer. So it’s unlikely they had a romantic connection at the time. She and Popper split sometime in spring 2024.
It seems like they may have been dating since at least July 2024, given his appearance in her Fourth of July pics.
She has let her photos do the talking. She posted some photos of them being intimate in a carousel, captioned, “Hot Fun in The Summer Time.”
They went to Italy for her birthday.
On August 16, Madonna turned 66, and she celebrated in Italy with Morris by her side. They were photographed walking through Portofino, Italy. Madonna was wearing a black Dolce & Gabbana gown. Morris wore a knitted top with white shorts as they headed to lunch with friends.
On August 17, gossip account DeuxMoi shared pictures of them heading out to the singer’s birthday party by boat, both dressed in white.
On August 23, she shared a carousel of photos from the celebrations, including a few shots of Morris. In one, she can be seen taking a pic of him on her phone against the city as a backdrop. In another, they pose side-by-side, looking glamorous.
“Arrivederci Roma!!! a perfect ending to a Glorious Birthday Celebration with friends and family!” Madonna wrote in her caption. “Ciao Italia!!!!”
The couple attended a Billie Eilish show in October 2024.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, Madonna and Morris were seen in New York City at Billie Eilish’s show at Madison Square Garden in photos shared by the Daily Mail. TikToker @karinarykman also posted a clip of the couple talking to one another from their seats as they watched the show.
They wore a thematic couples costume for Halloween.
Madonna shared pictures on Instagram from her Halloween night with Morris on November 1, sharing their couples costume. The pop star was a Weeping Madonna statue, while Morris portrayed a nun.
“For Halloween, I was the Crying Madonna…” Madonna wrote in the caption. “All my friends came to pray with me 🎃👻😵.”
Morris also shared a photo from the night of them posing together, writing, “Give the Devil his Peace ……..👺.”
He posted photos of her around Thanksgiving.
In November, Morris shared a shot of Madonna sitting in his lap. The pop star was wearing a black dress and pair of net gloves. In the other photos in the carousel, Morris showed a fireplace with a cross, a beautifully lit pool, and a selfie.
He also appeared in a carousel of pics from Madonna’s holiday. In the caption, she wrote, “We are born into families and we create our own. As time goes by I am more and more appreciative of these microcosms of life that Dance around me and teach me lessons every day.”
They spent Christmas together in December 2024.
Madonna posted a reel on Instagram for Christmas, which included shots of her kids and of herself with Morris. In one photo, his hand rests on her thigh while he wears an “M” ring.
The couple stepped out in New York City in February 2025.
Madonna and Morris spent the last weekend of February together on New York City’s Upper West Side, marking their first big public sighting of the year. Madonna was photographed wearing a long black coat, scarf, and black sunglasses. Morris kept it casual in a white jacket and khaki pants.
