Madonna’s close friends are concerned that the pop icon has fallen for another younger man who they believe is “not interested in love” but is simply feeding her need to feel “adored.”
The pop superstar, 66, first flaunted her new lover, Akeem Morris, 28, on July 4, just months after splitting from ex-boyfriend Josh Popper, who was 36 years her junior.
The new couple, who have a 38-year age gap, were photographed engaging in a series of passionate embraces this weekend as Madonna celebrated his birthday in Italy with loved ones.
But sources close to her told DailyMail.com that her latest romance has raised concerns about Jamaican-born Akeem’s intentions after the footballer’s ex previously accused him of cheating on her with Madonna.
“Her friends thought she was done dating younger men, but clearly she’s not and no one trusts Akeem,” the source began. “They want Madonna to be happy, but she needs to know that these guys, who are less than half her age, aren’t in this for love.”
Madonna’s close friends are concerned that the pop icon has fallen for another younger man who is “not interested in love”, sources close to her told DailyMail.com.
They claimed the 66-year-old music superstar continues to have affairs because she loves “being adored.”
The source continued: “He’s a small-time footballer who now travels the world with Madonna and parties with his famous friends.”
Although the relationship is new, it has since been revealed that Akeem appeared in a Paper magazine photo shoot with the Material Girl singer in 2022.
However, it’s unclear exactly how close the couple remained before Madonna’s most recent relationship with Josh Popper, 30, “failed.”
What has become public knowledge is the fact that Akeem was apparently still in a romantic relationship with his long-time girlfriend, Reagan Rice, at the time he began his new romance with Madonna.
The source explained how the sudden end of Akeem’s relationship gave Madonna’s friends more reason to fear about his intentions with the Vogue singer.
“The fact that he was in a relationship with Reagan Rice when he was with Madonna speaks volumes,” the source said. “Reagan found out on social media that he was with her. Friends are afraid that if he did this to Reagan, he could do it to any woman.”
Madonna first shared photos of herself hugging Akeem on July 4 as they celebrated the holiday together in New York City.
She later posted a photo of herself in bed with Akeem as part of a “dump” of images on her social media, which she captioned: “Hot summer fun.”
The new couple, who have a 38-year age gap, were photographed engaging in a series of passionate embraces this weekend as Madonna celebrated her birthday in Italy.
The source said: ‘Her friends thought she was done dating younger men but that’s clearly not the case and no one trusts Akeem.’
At the time, Akeem’s ex-girlfriend posted videos on her TikTok page about his blossoming romance with Madonna.
Sharing her feelings, she said: ‘Put the finger down if your boyfriend of 3 years is now dating Madonna. #madonna #breakup #wtf #2024 #heartbreak.’
Despite this, Madonna has continued to enjoy her romance, although friends are already anticipating that the star will likely move on to another younger man when things with Akeem finally crack.
“Madonna seems to be interested in him, but it’s only a matter of time before they break up and she moves on to the next one,” the source said.
‘She has a revolving door of younger men and no matter how many candles are on her birthday cake, her men are still the same age.’
The source explained that Madonna’s close friends are tired of their warnings being ignored.
“It’s gotten to the point where she doesn’t seem to care, so people close to her are giving up on trying to advise her,” they said. “She loves being doted on and that’s what he’s giving her.”
Akeem was born on May 2, 1996 in Jamaica, although he now lives in New York City.
She attended Stony Brook University from 2014 to 2018, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.
While in college he showed his talent for football on the school team and according to ESPNHe was briefly a forward for Oyster Bay United FC in New York.
Akeem, 28, appeared to still be in a romantic relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Reagan Rice, at the time he began his new romance with Madonna.
Akeem shares snippets of his life in Manhattan and Brooklyn on his Instagram page, revealing interests in fashion, partying, and lifestyle.
A recent selfie shared on July 25 was liked by Madonna.
The couple’s Paper magazine project was titled Madonna Is the Wildest Party Favor and included an interview conducted by Nile Rodgers.
This followed her surprise roller skating party in Central Park at Chic co-founder’s DiscOasis.
The photoshoot took place at Sugar Hill Supper Club in Brooklyn and captured a wild night on the town, where she was accompanied by up-and-coming artists.
One of the performers was Akeem, who was seen partying with Madonna and the others in photos and video clips.
Akeem shared a post about the shoot on his Instagram page, which he captioned: “Just a gunny from Spanish Town. Thanks for the opportunity. @madonna @papermagazine.”
Madonna was more than happy to date her new lover just months after splitting from her last boyfriend, Josh Popper, 30.
Madonna began dating toyboys after falling for 24-year-old Brazilian model Jesus Luz in 2008, before enjoying a four-year relationship with 28-year-old dancer Ahlamalik Williams.
Madonna’s latest boyfriend is just a year older than her 27-year-old daughter Lourdes, whom she shares with ex-partner Carlos León.
She also has two sons, Rocco, 24, and David, 18 (whom she adopted from Malawi) with ex-husband Guy Ritchie. She later adopted Mercy, 18, from Malawi, and twins Stella and Estere, 11, in 2017.
After ending her marriage to Ritchie, the Hung Up singer began her pattern of dating younger men by striking up a romance with 24-year-old Brazilian model Jesus Luz in 2008.
Two years later, she began dating French dancer and choreographer Brahim Zaibat, who was 24 at the time.
From 2018 to 2022, the singer was in a relationship with backup dancer Ahlamalik Williams, 28, who was almost 40 years her junior.
She then enjoyed a romance with model Andrew Darnell, 23, in 2022, before moving on to Summer House star Josh Popper in 2023.