What starts with a cozy Montreal dinner can end with a splashy yacht smooch—ask Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau, the unlikely duo turning heads from Parliament Hill to Pacific waves. The pop sensation, 41, and Canada’s former prime minister, 53, were captured in a series of steamy photos Saturday afternoon aboard Perry’s 24-meter luxury yacht off the Santa Barbara coast, locking lips and lounging in what onlookers describe as “unabashed affection.” The images, snapped by a persistent paparazzo via drone and long-lens camera, show Perry in a skimpy black bikini, her signature dark hair tousled by the sea breeze, while Trudeau—sans shirt, sporting his trademark tousled locks and a pair of board shorts—leans in for a passionate kiss as the sun dips toward the horizon. A second shot catches them cuddling on a plush deck lounger, Perry’s hand tracing patterns on his chest, champagne flutes within arm’s reach. By Sunday morning, the pics had racked up millions of views across social media, thrusting the pair’s months-long flirtation into overdrive.

The sighting confirms whispers that have bubbled since July, when the two were first spotted sharing a low-key Italian meal at a discreet bistro in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood. Eyewitnesses then described “playful banter and lingering glances,” with Perry reportedly laughing at Trudeau’s impressions of world leaders and him gushing over her latest album, 143, which dropped in September to mixed reviews but strong streaming numbers. “They looked like old friends catching up, but with that undeniable spark,” one diner told TMZ at the time. Fast-forward three months, and the spark has ignited: Sources close to Perry say the yacht outing was no accident, planned as a “romantic getaway” after Trudeau wrapped a speaking gig at UC Santa Barbara on climate policy—a topic near and dear to both, given Perry’s environmental advocacy and his legacy on carbon pricing.

Trudeau, who stepped down as prime minister in early 2025 after a decade in office marred by scandals including the SNC-Lavalin affair and ethics probes, has kept a relatively low profile since. The Liberal Party’s surprise loss to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives in the April federal election ended his run, but not his charisma-fueled spotlight. Post-politics, he’s dabbled in philanthropy, inking a book deal with Penguin Random House and launching a podcast on “global empathy” that’s already topped Canadian charts. Dating? He’s been coy, but insiders whisper Perry caught his eye at a UN gala in New York last fall, where she performed “Woman’s World” and he keynoted on gender equality. “Justin was smitten—Katy’s energy is magnetic,” a mutual friend dishes. Their worlds align in unexpected ways: Both are UNICEF ambassadors, share a love for yoga and vegan eats, and have navigated high-stakes public scrutiny—Perry with her 2020 split from Orlando Bloom and custody battles over daughter Daisy, 5; Trudeau with his 2018 separation from Sophie Grégoire.

The yacht itself is Perry’s pride and joy: Christened Firework in a nod to her 2010 mega-hit, the vessel—valued at around $8 million—was a post-divorce splurge, outfitted with a helipad, infinity pool, and a master suite featuring floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Purchased in 2022 from a tech billionaire, it’s been the backdrop for Perry’s solo escapes and celeb bashes, including a star-studded 2023 bash with Taylor Swift and Orlando’s ex, Katy’s American Idol rival-turned-pal. This weekend’s rendezvous, however, was intimate: Just the two of them, a private chef whipping up sushi rolls, and a playlist heavy on Fleetwood Mac and Perry’s own tracks. “It was sunset yoga on the deck one minute, deep talks about life after the spotlight the next,” a source spills. Paparazzi buzzed in around 4 p.m., capturing the clincher: Trudeau lifting Perry for a twirl before their now-infamous kiss, her legs wrapped around his waist in a move straight out of a rom-com.

Social media exploded overnight, with #KatyAndJustin trending worldwide and spawning memes galore. One viral edit mashes Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” with Trudeau’s 2015 election win footage, captioned “From Parliament to Perry-ment.” Fans swooned—”Power couple alert! She’s fire, he’s ice (but melting fast)”—while critics trolled: “He doesn’t give a f*** anymore,” quipped one X user, riffing on Trudeau’s post-PM freedom, alongside a photoshopped image of him as an astronaut “floating away from responsibility.” Sky News’ Rita Panahi weighed in on air, calling the photos “a blooming romance that’s equal parts glamorous and gobsmacking,” while conservative outlets like Fox News’ The Five segment debated if it’s “Hollywood’s latest liberal love-in.” Perry’s ex, Bloom—currently filming Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim in New Zealand—has stayed mum, but a rep confirms he’s “focused on co-parenting and thrilled for Katy’s happiness.” Trudeau’s three kids with Grégoire, now 16, 14, and 9, were reportedly briefed pre-vacation, with the ex-couple on amicable terms.

For Perry, this dalliance marks a pivot from her American Idol judging gig and 143‘s promotional whirlwind. The album, her first since 2020’s Smile, debuted at No. 3 on Billboard but faced backlash over collaborations with Dr. Luke amid his Kesha lawsuit drama. “Katy’s reclaiming her joy,” says a pal. “Justin’s got that steady vibe—she needs it after the rollercoaster.” Their chemistry? Undeniable. Past flings for Perry include Diplo (2014-2015) and John Mayer (on-off 2015-2017), while Trudeau’s been linked to everyone from Bar Refaeli to Scarlett Johansson rumors. But this feels different: Shared activism (Perry’s Witness Tour raised $1 million for Planned Parenthood; Trudeau’s government legalized cannabis) and a mutual disdain for drama queens.

Skeptics, though, smell rebound. Perry filed for divorce from Bloom in 2017 (reconciled 2018, split again 2020), citing “irreconcilable differences” amid lockdown strains. Trudeau’s marriage crumbled publicly in 2018, with Grégoire citing “tensions from his job.” Is yacht bliss just escapism? “Time will tell,” shrugs entertainment attorney Rachel Green. “But in celeb dating, optics are everything—and these pics are gold.” No official confirmation yet—Perry’s last IG was a 143 teaser, Trudeau’s a policy tweet—but a source hints at a joint red-carpet debut at the Grammys in February.

As the yacht docked Sunday evening, Perry and Trudeau slipped into a waiting SUV, hands intertwined. For two icons who’ve danced on the world’s stage—her with sold-out arenas, him with G7 summits—this seaside interlude is a reminder: Love doesn’t follow scripts. Whether it’s a summer fling or forever after, one thing’s clear: Katy Perry’s fireworks just got a Canadian twist. And with Trudeau’s book tour hitting L.A. next month, expect more chapters in this transatlantic tale.