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What Brought Bill Murray and Kelis Together Despite "Big Age Gap," Source Says

The Ghostbusters actor, 72, and "Milkshake" singer, 43, are rumored to be dating.

Apparently, there's a new celebrity couple out there, and it's a surprising one. According to The U.S. Sun, actor Bill Murray and recording artist Kelis are dating. Despite both being in the entertainment industry, it's not clear how the two crossed paths, as Murray is the star of movies like Ghostbusters, Lost in Translation, and Groundhog Day, and Kelis (AKA Kelis Rogers) is a singer with hits including "Milkshake" and "Bossy." The rumored couple also have a significant age difference: Kelis is 43 and Murray is nearly 30 years older at 72.

But while people might not have seen this pairing coming, a source who spoke to The U.S. Sun explained how Murray and Kelis found a common bond. Read on to find out more about this unexpected (alleged) couple.

READ THIS NEXT: John Mayer Said He Broke Up With Jennifer Aniston Over Their Age Gap.

Murray was seen at Kelis' concerts.

 

According to The U.S. Sun, Murray has attended a number of Kelis' performances, including a recent one at the Mighty Hoopla festival in London. He reportedly watched her perform from the side of the stage.

On May 30, a photo of Kelis and Murray was posted on social media by the musical duo Children of Zeus, and shows them standing alongside band member Konny Kon.

Kelis hasn't responded to the reports of a relationship with Murray. Instead, she's been busy documenting her Greek vacation with her family on Instagram.

A source said they bonded over grief.

Bill Murray in 2019; Kelis in 2022
macri roland / Shutterstock; Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Hollywood Unlocked

Sources told The U.S. Sun that Kelis and Murray have been "getting close for a while." A source said to be a "friend," shared more about the situation.

"They've met up in the States before which got people in the industry talking, and now are meeting up in London while they're both here. They've clearly hit it off," the friend said.

Murray has reportedly been in London filming the Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel. "They were both seen at the same hotel, and he's been to watch her perform several times before he went to Mighty Hoopla," the friend added.

Per the source close to the pair, both the actor and the singer have been dealing with personal losses, and that has contributed to their bond.

"They've also both shared relatively recent bereavements and have that common bond between them," the friend continued. "Whatever it is that has brought them together, and however unlikely it seems, they are both single and are having fun despite the fairly big age gap."

Best Life reached out to reps for Murray and Kelis for comment, and we will update this story with their response.

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Kelis' husband died last year.

Kelis performing in Georgia in 2018
Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock

In March 2022, Kelis' husband, Mike Mora, died at age 37 following a battle with stomach cancer. The "Millionaire" singer and photographer had been married since 2014, and had two children together: Shepherd, now 7, and Galilee, 2.

Kelis opened up about the loss with People in Sept. 2022. "It wasn't something that was sudden," she said. "We were able to prepare, and love, and say goodbye."

She added, "We were able to spend the time that we needed to, as much as we were given, the best way that we could. Is it a great situation? No, it's freaking awful, but I am grateful."

Kelis was previously married to rapper Nas, with whom she shares 13-year-old son Knight. The two musicians were married from 2005 to 2010.

In 2018, the former couple made headlines when she accused him of mental and physical abuse in an interview with Hollywood Unlocked. Nas denied the allegations, in turn claiming that Kelis was physically and verbally abusive toward him, as reported by NPR.

Murray's ex-wife died in 2021.

Bill Murray at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival
BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock

As for Murray's loss, in 2021, his ex-wife Jennifer Butler died suddenly at age 57, as reported by The Post and Courier. The Caddyshack star and costume designer have four children together and were married from 1997 until their divorce was finalized in 2008.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Butler claimed in the divorce filing that Murray hit her, cheated, and was addicted to alcohol and marijuana. The L.A. Times reported that Murray's lawyer did not respond to the allegations, but said that Murray was "deeply saddened by the breakup of his marriage … He and his wife made loving parents and they are committed to the best interests of their children."

Per The U.S. Sun, Murray and Butler were "understood to have remained in touch before her death."

More recently, Murray was in the news for a complaint filed against him on the set of the now-suspended movie Being Mortal.

"I did something I thought was funny and it wasn't taken that way," Murray told CNBC of the situation.

Lia Beck
Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more. Read more
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