Drake admitted why he's never married despite famous romances as he turns 40
For those who grew up on Take Care and Nothing Was The Same, it’s hard to believe that Drake is now 40.
After surpassing Michael Jackson with 15 number one albums on Billboard earlier this year, Drake’s unprecedented run as the dominant force in Hip/Hop shows no signs of stopping – fair play to Kendrick, he tried.
But according to Drake, the relentless output that led to his success is the same reason why he is unable to settle down. That is despite a string of high-profile romances, and a 'goth baddie', along the way to his milestone birthday.
Speaking to Bobbi Althoff on a now-deleted episode of the Really Good podcast in July 2023, the Iceman rapper explained: "I don't think I can offer somebody what they'd be looking for right now."
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He added: "I think my work is my priority, so I wouldn't want to not be able to contribute as a partner."
His romantic regrets were also reflected in a necklace unveiled in 2022, featuring 42 diamonds representing occasions when he had reportedly considered proposing but never followed through.
Long before reaching 40, Drake questioned whether his music career would last, confessing in a 2012 interview with i-D: "I don't even know if I will still be making rap music," past 35 and considered returning to acting.
His career ambitions had already taken a toll on his love life, with the rapper admitting that music came before everything else.
That said, the ‘Janice STFU’ hitmaker, whose real name is Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham, has reportedly dated some of the biggest names in entertainment.
SZA (2009)
Drake revealed he had dated SZA in his 2020 collaboration 'Mr. Right Now' with 21 Savage, initially suggesting their romance happened in 2008.
SZA, however, corrected the timeline on social media, explaining that they actually dated in 2009.
She later told Rolling Stone their relationship was more about youthful affection than a serious romance, describing it as 'childish' and 'youth vibes'.
The pair reunited professionally on 'Slime You Out' and 'Rich Baby Daddy' in 2023.
Rihanna (2009–2016, on and off)
Drake's most famous romantic connection began in 2009,when the pair were reportedly spotted kissing at a New York bowling alley.
Their chemistry continued through musical collaborations including 'What's My Name?', 'Take Care' and 'Work', while their flirtatious stage performances repeatedly fuelled speculation.
Drake admitted to The New York Times in 2010 that he had been hurt by their early romantic involvement, saying: "I was a pawn."
At the 2016 MTV VMAs, he publicly declared he had loved Rihanna since he was 22.
Their relationship eventually cooled, and in a 2018 Vogue interview, Rihanna described his awards-show declaration as awkward and revealed they were no longer friends.
The Canadian artist would go on to diss A$AP Rocky and Rihanna on Iceman on the track 'Burning Bridges'.
"Your baby mama ain't even post a single damn where she at?", he rapped, targeting the fact that Rihanna initially did not post or promote Rocky's album Don't Be Dumb on her social media.
Serena Williams (2011–2015, reportedly)
Drake was first linked to the tennis champion after they were spotted spending time together, including playing tennis.
In a 2011 Complex interview, he said: "I really, really love and care for Serena Williams."
Speculation intensified in 2015 when the pair were photographed appearing to kiss at a Cincinnati restaurant, although neither publicly confirmed a relationship.
In archival footage released in 2024, Drake revealed that his 2016 song 'Too Good' was inspired by Williams, explaining that he expected her to recognise the references.
Tyra Banks (2012–2013)
Drake revealed during a 2013 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he had enjoyed a date with the supermodel at Disneyland.
The pair reportedly went incognito to avoid attracting attention, although their outing never developed into a publicly confirmed relationship.
Kat Dennings (around 2013)
The rapper publicly expressed his admiration for the actress on X before eventually taking her out for dinner.
Speaking on Ellen, Drake confessed: "I just always had a huge crush on Kat Dennings."
He explained that she had agreed to go out with him, although the encounter did not appear to lead to a lasting romance.
Jennifer Lopez (2016–2017)
Drake and Jennifer Lopez sparked romance rumours in December 2016 after sharing an intimate photograph of themselves cuddling on Instagram.
The pair were subsequently spotted spending time together, including at a winter-themed event, while Lopez supported the rapper at his New Year's Eve performance in Las Vegas.
Their reported romance fizzled out within months, with Lopez later rekindling her relationship with former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Sophie Brussaux (2017)
Drake was linked to French artist Sophie Brussaux in early 2017, before she gave birth to their son Adonis that October.
His fatherhood became public amid his highly publicised feud with fellow rapper Pusha T in 2018.
Drake subsequently acknowledged his son on his album Scorpion, and has since shared glimpses of his life as a father.
Julia Fox (2020)
Drake was linked to actress Julia Fox before her brief, highly publicised romance with Kanye West.
Fox confirmed that she had spent time with the rapper but dismissed suggestions they were officially together.
Speaking on her Forbidden Fruits podcast in 2022, she said: "He's a great guy and a gentleman."
She added: "I wouldn't say that we were dating."
Fox later hinted that Drake may have been responsible for a lavish celebrity date involving a private jet and Chanel handbags.
Johanna Leia (2021)
Drake's reported romance with model Johanna Leia attracted attention after the pair were photographed enjoying an extravagant private dinner at an otherwise empty Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The rapper had also developed a connection with Leia's basketball-playing son, Amari Bailey.
But their relationship was reportedly short-lived, with Leia confirming she was single in March 2022.
Anish Vij