Photo: Getty
They were holding hands on a red carpet.
By Rebekah Kuschmider — Written on Nov 08, 2019
If you hear what sounds like millions of hearts breaking, it's because all the people who have crushes on Keanu Reeves found out he has a girlfriend. The 55-year-old Hollywood heartthrob stepped out on the red carpet with artist Alendara Grant over the weekend and there was no hiding the way the two were holding hands.
Grant, an artist, has worked with Reeves in the past when they collaborated on the books Ode to Happiness and Shadows but it seems like the relationship may be more than just creative. Sources close to the couple say that they have been an item for years, they just have just kept it out of the press.
Now everyone wants to more about the artist who has captured the John Wick star's heart. Who is Alexandra Grant? Read on for all the details.
1. Multi-media artist
Grant is a well-known artist based out of Los Angeles. On her website, she describes using text as inspiration for her visual art "through an exploration of the use of text and language in various media — painting, drawing, sculpture, film, and photography — probes ideas of translation, identity, dis/location, and social responsibility." She frequently collaborates with other artists, and even commissions texts from which she can draw inspiration. She takes a particular interest in the ways language affects perceptions. Her bio reveals that Grant spent portions of her childhood and adolescence living in Mexico, France, and Spain. "Some of the basic questions that fuel her practice are: How do the languages we speak and the images we see form how we think and exchange ideas? How can artists and writers work to create and influence culture in an increasingly technology-driven world?"
A sculpture by Grant.
2. Collaborations with Keanu
She actually lists Reeves as one of her collaborators on her website but makes no mention of their more personal relationship. She was the illustrator of his 2011 book Ode to Happiness. The Amazon description for the tome says "Ode to Happiness is a grown-up's picture book, a charming reminder not to take oneself too seriously. With drawings by painter Alexandra Grant, text by actor Keanu Reeves, and in collaboration with mutual friend Janey Bergam, this facsimile artists' book is about making the best of a bad situation." It must have had a very limited print run because copies now sell for over $800.
They teamed up again in 2016 for the book Shadows. The book, which now sells for the relatively affordable $300, is an exploration of the concept of shadows. "Shadows, a new collaborative series by Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves, explores the real and symbolic nature of the shadow as image and figure of speech. Grant's photographs capture Reeves's shadow at times as a silhouette and at others as traces of light as he and the camera move together." It sounds like the process of creating the images for the book was fairly intimate and it's no surprise if it deepened any bond between them.
They also formed a niche publishing company together in 2017 called X Artist's Books. "Established in 2017, XAB is a small publisher of thoughtful, high-quality, artist-centered books that fit within and between genres," the website says. "Our books are works of art; portals to imagined worlds; treasured companions; the fabric of a community."
A gallery installation of the photos from Shadows.
3. Dating for years
In addition to making books and starting a business together over the past several years, the pair may have also been building a romantic bond. Appearing together at the LACMA Art + Film Gala this weekend, they were photographed holding hands. The public display of affection took fans off guard but people close to the couple were unsurprised. “It wasn’t a secret,” a source told US Weekly. “They have been dating since at least the summer of 2017.” A different source told People that they've only been together since earlier this year.
4. Fan reactions
Fans of Reeves are happy to see him in a new relationship. He's been single - or at least very private about any dating he's doing - since his split from Claire Forlani in 2006, People notes. In 2001, he and Jennifer Syme split up after suffering the stillbirth of their baby. In the years before that, he was linked to different Hollywood types like Winona Ryder and Sofia Coppola.
Fans are also pretty happy that he's dating someone in his own age range. Grant is 46 to Reeves' 55. One Twitter user commented: "It’s so funny we are all like “wow AMAZING!” when we see Keane Reeves is dating a woman close to his age and not a 22 year old."
Another tweet said: "Is anyone else feeling a sort of protection over Keane Reeves and his new relationship? Like, you pray it lasts because he’s one of the very few humans in this world who is actually pure and good and he just deserves some happiness?"
One other fan, who approves heartily of Grant's silver tresses commented: "if i see ANYONE talkin shit about keanu reeves' new girlfriend because she has grey hair i will end you on the spot."
5. They will not confirm
Neither Reeves nor Grant has a Twitter account to confirm or deny the stories about their relationship. Grant's Instagram account is primarily to promote her work; no cozy selfies with her Hollywood beau. Reeves doesn't have an Instagram account at all, so there are no hints about his inner life posted online.
6. What does the future hold
Reeves and Grant may not be sharing their plans with the public but one source close to them told People: “Keanu wants to openly share his life with her. He is extremely happy and grateful to have Alex in his life.”
Rebekah Kuschmider has been writing about celebrities, pop culture, entertainment, and politics since 2010. Her work has been seen at Ravishly, Babble, Scary Mommy, The Mid, Redbook online, and The Broad Side. She is the creator of the blog Stay at Home Pundit and she is a cohost of the weekly podcast The More Perfect Union.