Orlando Bloom knows how to take a joke.
As the actor’s ex Katy Perry sparks romance rumors with Justin Trudeau, satirical outlet The Onion poked fun at the singer and former Canadian prime minister by pretending to set Bloom, 48, up with another former world leader.
“Orlando Bloom Spotted At Dinner With Angela Merkel,” read a headline from the satirical newspaper, which it shared in a Friday, Aug. 1 Instagram post. The headline was accompanied by what appeared to be an AI photo of the actor and former Chancellor of Germany enjoying a candlelit meal together, as well as some faux sourcing about the duo.
“Just weeks after announcing his split with fiancée Katy Perry, English actor Orlando Bloom was photographed Friday dining with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” the newspaper’s joke reporting read. “Angela kept Orlando laughing all night — he couldn’t keep his eyes off her!’ said an insider source who spotted the pair sipping wine, slurping oysters, and splitting a decadent piece of chocolate layer cake at a Michelin-starred restaurant.”
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Rather than brushing off The Onion’s ribbing, Bloom actually applauded it, commenting “👏👏👏” on the post.
Trudeau, 53, and Perry, 40, began sparking romance rumors after they were spotted on multiple outings in late July. On Monday, July 28, Perry and Trudeau were photographed walking a dog through Montréal’s Mount Royal Park before enjoying a meal at local restaurant Le Violon. Then, on Wednesday, Trudeau was spotted in the crowd at the singer’s Lifetimes Tour at Montréal’s Bell Centre.
Something could be blossoming between the two, a Canadian source told PEOPLE following the Montréal sightings.
“They are interested in each other, but it will take a while to see where this goes,” the source told PEOPLE. “She is traveling around the world, and he is figuring out his life now that he is no longer prime minister of Canada, but there is an attraction. They have a lot in common.”
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The source added that “music is one of many things they can share,” and optimism is another. “Both are idealists and still live in a world where they think they can make improvements, although it has gotten more difficult.”
“Justin is a [politician] who is used to living a secret life with his personal activity, and wouldn’t put on a public display at this stage,” another Canadian source told PEOPLE after the pop star and former prime minister dined at Le Violon together.
“He knows they were being watched and is smart enough to play it low-key for now,” the source said of Trudeau, adding that the “timing seems good for them, although a romance is in very early stages.”
Trudeau split from wife Sophie Grégoire in 2023, after 18 years of marriage. They share three teenage children. Perry and Bloom confirmed the end of their engagement in early July. They share a 4-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove. (Bloom also shares son Flynn, 14, with ex-wife Miranda Kerr.)
“Due to the abundance of recent interest and conversation surrounding Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry’s relationship, representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting,” reps for Bloom and Perry said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE at the time.
“They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is — and always will be — raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect,” the statement concluded.