After parting ways with Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey was linked with actor Salli Richardson when the two showed up at the premiere of “The Wedding Planner.” No official confirmation came, but hey, showing up together on the red carpet hand in hand? That’s enough confirmation for us! The following year, he was also rumored to have romanced Janet Jackson, but neither of them would directly admit that. Apparently, it’s because they’re part of the long list of celebrity couples who never made it past the first date.
The two reportedly met at the 2002 Grammys and hit it off instantly, although McConaughey insisted at the time that their relationship was completely platonic. “We swapped some good music and she’s a dear lady. She’s a sweetheart but we’re not dating, we’re just friends,” he told Upscale Magazine (via The Telegraph). Jackson, however, had a slightly different take, admitting that they were once an item. “I guess we did [date],” she dished. “He is a great guy and such a sweetheart. It was just for a minute, that’s why I am so hesitant to mention it.”
McConaughey shed more light on the true nature of their fling in a 2019 guest appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” when he was put on the hot seat by Andy Cohen during the “Plead the Fifth” game. The actor couldn’t help but laugh at the question, but he did give us the scoop. “We went and had dinner one night,” he said. “That was sort of it, yeah.”
