Christine Baranski and King Princess Spark Dating Speculation

Rumors of a romantic relationship between actress Christine Baranski, 73, and singer-songwriter King Princess (real name Mikaela Straus), 26, have gained traction following their appearances together at various events. The latest sighting occurred on August 18, 2024, during the opening night of Mamma Mia‘s return to Broadway in New York City, where the two were photographed holding hands.

The speculation intensified when King Princess shared a picture from the event on Instagram, captioning it, “Love is love.” Fans responded with curiosity, reflecting a mix of excitement and confusion. One user remarked, “My fave thing about this is I don’t know if this is real or not,” highlighting the uncertainty surrounding their relationship status.

While many are eager to label them as a couple, the reality may be more nuanced. Baranski, who was previously married to playwright Matthew Cowles until his death in 2014, has not publicly dated anyone since. The two women first connected while working on the Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, which filmed from January to June 2024 and premiered in May 2025. Their friendship blossomed on set, leading to several joint public appearances shortly after filming concluded.

Public Appearances and Friendship Development

Their growing bond was evident at a series of events, including a performance of Oh, Mary! in August 2024 and the MPTF’s 18th Annual Evening Before the Emmys in September 2024. They also walked the red carpet together for the opening of The Picture of Dorian Gray in March 2025. These moments fueled the public’s interest in their relationship.

In a feature for Interview Magazine published in May 2025, Baranski described their connection as a “deep and intimate friendship.” She recalled their first outing, which she playfully termed a “date,” where they enjoyed martinis while discussing their grandmothers. Baranski emphasized that the greatest gift from their collaboration on Nine Perfect Strangers was the friendship they developed.

During the interview, Baranski complimented King Princess, saying, “You were my shaman… I can’t wait for the decades ahead. I’m going to learn so much from you, and I’ll teach you whatever good stuff that I know.” King Princess responded warmly, “Well, I love you and I’m just thankful to have you in my life.” Their affectionate exchanges suggest a strong platonic bond rather than a romantic involvement.

Fanning the Flames of Speculation

Despite the encouraging comments, the consensus among their peers and fans is that the two are simply close friends enjoying each other’s company. Hannah Einbinder, who was seen with them at the MPTF event, chimed in on the social media buzz, humorously referencing the dynamic of her character and Jean Smart’s from the show Hacks. King Princess playfully replied, “double date?” indicating that they are likely indulging in the speculation for fun.

As for King Princess, she has been vocal about her experiences in the music industry, addressing themes of competition and camaraderie among female artists. The playful nature of her interactions with Baranski reflects a shared sense of humor and mutual respect.

In conclusion, while the chemistry between Christine Baranski and King Princess has captured the attention of fans, it appears their relationship is rooted in a robust friendship rather than romance. As they continue to make public appearances together, it remains to be seen how they will navigate the ongoing speculation. For now, it seems they are enjoying the spotlight and each other’s company, leaving fans to wonder about the nature of their bond.