Overview

Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant at the LACMA Art + Film Gala refers to the public reaction to the appearance of actor Keanu Reeves with artist Alexandra Grant, who many suspect is Reeves' significant other.

Background

On November 2nd, 2019, actor Keanu Reeves attended the LACMA Art + Film Gala with Alexandra Grant at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (photograph below).^[1] Their appearance together sparked speculation as to whether or not they were dating.

Developments

Online Reaction

Following the release of the photographs, a number of news outlets began speculating as to the relationship status of the pair. Vulture^[2] wrote, "Sorry to us all, but Keanu Reeves may be taken. He recently attended LACMA’s Art + Film Gala, holding the hand of an artist named Alexandra Grant. Is this his special somebody, or is he just being lovingly affectionate toward one of his friends?"

On November 4th, when the news broke about the relationship, many on Twitter began posting photographs and messages of support for the couple. Twitter^[4] user @jonahdrake47 tweeted, "Of course Keanu Reeves and his girlfriend Alexandra Grant look like a dope cyberpunk couple. It just makes sense." The tweet received more than 33,000 likes and 5,500 retweets in three days (shown below, left). Twitter^[5] user @partygirlu2 posted a In This House meme about the couple. The post received more than 72,000 likes and 14,000 retweets in three days (shown below, center). Twitter^[6] user @thatnorachick tweeted, "I figured my first meme creation ought to be nothing less than an iconic moment in history.." The tweet received more than 18,000 likes and 2,300 retweets in three days (shown below, right).

The following day, Redditor ^[3] Gato1980 posted a photograph of the two in the /r/entertainment subreddit. They wrote, "Keanu Reeves Goes Public With His First Girlfriend In Decades, Artist Alexandra Grant." The post received more than 7,200 points (97% upvoted) and 500 comments in less than two days.

Grant Mistaken For Helen Mirren

Upon seeing the photograph, some online mistook Grant for Academy Award-winning actor Helen Mirren. Comedian Travon Free tweeted,^[7] "Saw the photos and legit thought Keanu Reeves was dating Helen Mirren. Which I also would have supported." Within three days, the tweet received more than 17,000 likes and 1,200 retweets (shown below).

Mirren responded to the speculation, stating that she was flattered.^[8]

"I saw that," said Mirren. "That was very flattering on me, you know, because she's obviously lovely."

"I do know Keanu very well. He did a film with my husband and he is just the most adorable, lovely person. So she's a lucky girl and I'm sure that he's a lucky boy."

Photoshop Battle

The photographs of the two led to many divining into their past relationship. Many reported that the two worked on a book together in 2011, Ode to Happiness. On November 6th, Redditor^[9] Funlin88 posted a photograph of the two of them on /r/pics. The post received more than 59,000 likes (83% upvoted) and 1,700 comments in 24 hours (shown below, left).

That day, Redditor^[10] momosem posted the photograph in the /r/photoshopbattles subreddit, where it received more than 355 points (87% upvoted) and 30 comments in 24 hours (examples below, center and right).

Search Interest

External References