Ice Spice has officially confirmed her relationship with NFL star Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, ending months of speculation about her romantic life. The Bronx-born rapper, whose real name is Isis Gaston, made their relationship Instagram official in April 2025 with a cozy mirror selfie that sent fans into a frenzy. The 25-year-old “Barbie World” artist and the 24-year-old New York Jets cornerback have been the subject of dating rumors since early 2025, with their romance timeline filled with subtle hints, public appearances, and social media breadcrumbs that kept fans guessing.
The confirmation came after months of carefully orchestrated soft-launching, a modern dating trend where couples hint at their relationship without explicitly confirming it. Ice Spice, who has previously kept her romantic life extremely private, chose to reveal this relationship in her signature style – through carefully curated Instagram content that speaks volumes without saying much. This relationship marks a significant shift for the rapper, who has consistently prioritized her music career over public romantic entanglements, stating in previous interviews that she wanted fans to focus on her artistry rather than her personal life.
The pairing has created considerable buzz in both the music and sports worlds, with fans dubbing them a power couple that bridges entertainment and athletics. Their relationship represents more than just celebrity romance – it’s a union of two young, successful individuals at the peak of their respective careers, making them one of the most talked-about couples in contemporary pop culture.
The Official Confirmation: Instagram Hard Launch
Ice Spice and Sauce Gardner (Image via Getty)
The moment fans had been waiting for arrived on April 30, 2025, when Ice Spice shared a carousel of photos on Instagram that included a mirror selfie with Sauce Gardner. The intimate bathroom photo showed the couple standing close together, with Ice Spice wearing a baby pink matching sweatsuit and Gardner in a white coordinated set. The image was strategically placed as the penultimate slide in her carousel, surrounded by solo shots and studio photos, making the reveal feel both intentional and organic.
The hard launch strategy reflects modern celebrity dating culture, where couples control their narrative through carefully timed social media reveals. Unlike traditional celebrity relationships that might be exposed by paparazzi, Ice Spice and Gardner maintained agency over their story, choosing when and how to share their romance with the world.
Timeline of Their Romance: From Speculation to Confirmation
The relationship timeline began gaining traction in February 2025 when the pair were first spotted together on an escalator with Ice Spice’s security team, captured in a video that quickly went viral. This initial sighting sparked immediate speculation among fans who began connecting dots between their social media activities and public appearances.
Their relationship gained momentum through strategic public appearances at high-profile events. In March 2025, they attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party together, marking one of their first major red carpet-adjacent appearances as a couple. This appearance was particularly significant as it represented Ice Spice’s integration into Gardner’s world of professional athletics and high-society events.
The couple also made appearances at entertainment industry events, including the premiere party for Druski’s YouTube series “Coulda Been Love” in February. These appearances demonstrated their comfort in each other’s professional spheres, with Ice Spice supporting Gardner’s interests while he engaged with her entertainment industry connections.
An awkward but telling moment occurred at Adin Ross’ boxing match in April, where the couple was caught on the kiss cam. Ice Spice’s uncomfortable reaction and decision to ignore the prompt became a viral moment, showing both the public interest in their relationship and her desire to maintain some privacy even while publicly dating.
Ice Spice’s Dating History and Relationship Philosophy
Ice Spice (Image via Getty)
Prior to her relationship with Gardner, Ice Spice maintained an extremely private approach to dating, rarely discussing romantic relationships in interviews or on social media. She had been romantically linked to British rapper Central Cee, but clarified in a Rolling Stone interview that their relationship was strictly platonic, describing them as “twins” who had been friends since her breakthrough single “Munch.”
The rapper has also faced speculation about relationships with various high-profile figures, including Stranger Things actor Caleb McLaughlin and Pete Davidson, though these rumors were largely unfounded. She has consistently emphasized her desire to keep fans focused on her music rather than her personal life, stating in interviews that she preferred to keep her partner’s identity hidden to maintain professional focus.
Ice Spice’s approach to relationships reflects a broader trend among young female artists who seek to control their narrative and avoid being defined by their romantic partnerships. Her decision to eventually go public with Gardner suggests a level of seriousness and commitment that warranted sharing with her fanbase.
Sauce Gardner: The NFL Star Behind the Romance
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, 24, is a cornerback for the New York Jets and a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive players. His nickname “Sauce” has become synonymous with his confident playing style and charismatic personality, making him a natural fit for Ice Spice’s bold public persona.
Gardner’s social media presence and willingness to engage with entertainment culture made him an ideal partner for someone in Ice Spice’s position. His comfort with public attention and understanding of celebrity culture likely contributed to their successful navigation of the early stages of their relationship while maintaining privacy.
The NFL star’s New York connections align perfectly with Ice Spice’s Bronx roots, creating a natural geographic and cultural compatibility. Their shared understanding of high-pressure careers and public scrutiny provides a foundation for their relationship that extends beyond surface-level attraction.
Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact
Ice Spice and Sauce Gardner (Image via Getty)
Their relationship represents a convergence of music and sports culture that resonates particularly strongly with younger demographics who follow both industries closely. The pairing has been compared to other high-profile music-sports couples, including Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, with whom Ice Spice has attended Super Bowl games as a friend.
The couple’s influence extends beyond entertainment value, representing successful young people of color achieving prominence in their respective fields. Their relationship serves as inspiration for fans who see themselves reflected in their success and authenticity.
The romantic life of Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has become a subject of intense fascination among fans and media outlets worldwide. As one of Nigeria’s most prominent Afrobeats artists and the first Black African star to grace Rolling Stone magazine’s cover, Rema’s personal relationships generate significant attention across social media platforms and entertainment news. The 24-year-old “Calm Down” hitmaker has been linked to several high-profile personalities, creating a web of dating rumors and speculation that continues to evolve.
Rema’s approach to relationships reflects his commitment to family values and intentional living. The artist has been notably private about his romantic endeavors while occasionally sharing glimpses that fuel public curiosity. His dating history includes connections with fellow musicians, influencers, and international artists, each relationship sparking widespread discussion among his dedicated fan base known as “Ravers.” Understanding Rema’s relationship status requires examining the various rumors, confirmed connections, and his own statements about love, commitment, and future family plans. From his rumored relationship with South African singer Tyla to his ongoing connection with American artist Justine Skye, Rema’s love life continues to fascinate audiences while he maintains focus on his rapidly ascending music career.
Current Relationship Status: Justine Skye Connection
Rema and Justine Skye (Image via Getty)
Rema’s most prominent and persistent dating rumor involves American singer Justine Skye, who was previously linked to Nigerian superstar Wizkid. The connection between Rema and Skye has been ongoing since late 2023, with multiple sightings and social media interactions fueling speculation about their romantic involvement.
The pair first sparked dating rumors when they were spotted together at Skye’s birthday celebration in Israel in August 2023, with reports suggesting Rema organized the event. Their relationship gained further attention during a Lagos nightclub outing in January 2024, where they were seen partying alongside fellow Nigerian artists Ayra Starr and Crayon. Videos from the evening showed the duo engaged in animated conversations, laughing, holding hands, and dancing closely together, behaviors that fans interpreted as romantic rather than platonic.
Social Media Interactions and Public Appearances
The relationship speculation intensified throughout 2024, with various sources indicating they have been dating since November 2020, though this timeline appears inconsistent with other reports. More recent information suggests their romantic connection began in 2024, aligning with increased public sightings and social media activity. Neither Rema nor Justine Skye has officially confirmed their relationship status, maintaining an air of mystery that only adds to public intrigue.
The Kelly Akoussah Romance Rumors
In July 2024, Rema sparked fresh dating speculation when he shared content featuring UK-based Togolese TikTok star Kelly Akoussah. The “Calm Down” crooner posted a video of the influencer vibing to music from his sophomore album “HeIS” on his Instagram story, captioning it “My bb [baby]”. Kelly’s response, reposting with “love you” and heart emojis, further fueled romantic speculation among fans and entertainment media.
This interaction occurred shortly after Rema made statements about his “new girlfriend” having his child, leading many to wonder if Kelly was the mystery woman he referenced. However, the brief nature of their public interaction and lack of subsequent appearances together suggest this may have been more of a fleeting connection than a serious relationship.
Past Relationships and Dating History
Rema (Image via Getty)
Tyla Connection (2022-2023)
Rema was reportedly in a relationship with South African singer Tyla between 2022 and 2023. This connection aligns with the period when both artists were experiencing significant career growth, with Tyla later achieving international success with her hit “Water.” Despite being listed as a past relationship, Rema has described Tyla as family and a close friend in recent interviews, suggesting they maintain a positive relationship post-romance.
Early Career Encounters
Before achieving mainstream success, Rema had an encounter with someone identified as “Nimiie” in 2020. Limited information exists about this connection, suggesting it was likely a brief interaction during his early career development phase.
Rema’s Views on Marriage and Family
Rema has been remarkably candid about his intentions regarding marriage and family planning. In his historic Rolling Stone interview, he emphasized his commitment to traditional family values, stating he is not open to having children outside of marriage. This declaration reflects his belief in intentional living and structured family development.
“I feel like there’s a need for us [family] to get bigger and become a whole empire if we can. And then neither do I want to wait for it to become a mistake before I decide to be a father. I’m very particular, and I don’t really be h*eing around,” Rema explained. This statement reveals his serious approach to relationships and his desire to build a lasting family legacy.
The Mystery Girlfriend Revelation
In June 2024, Rema made headlines when he shared details about his “new girlfriend” on social media. He posted a back view image of a woman with a tattoo of his brand logo, accompanied by revealing captions about their relationship. “My new girlfriend got a big *ss. She got a tattoo for me, she will do anything for me. She will have my child, a child for a god. I’m a god,” he wrote, sparking intense speculation about the woman’s identity.
This post suggested Rema was in a serious relationship with someone willing to make permanent commitments, including getting his logo tattooed and potentially starting a family together. The timing of this revelation coincided with rumors linking him to various personalities, making it difficult to definitively identify the mystery woman.
Relationship Status Contradictions
Adding complexity to understanding Rema’s relationship status are contradictory statements from different time periods. In May 2023, during a Cool FM interview, Rema denied being in a relationship, claiming he was single. However, this statement came after he had cryptically responded to a fan’s question about his relationship status with “You’ve seen it, you don’t just know she’s mine,” suggesting he might have been in a private relationship at the time.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Rema remains unmarried and has no publicly confirmed children. His relationship with Justine Skye appears to be ongoing, though neither party has made official statements confirming their romantic involvement. The artist continues to balance his personal life with an increasingly demanding international career, including Grammy nominations and sold-out global tours.
Rema’s approach to relationships reflects his broader philosophy of intentional living and careful decision-making. His emphasis on marriage before children and building a family “empire” suggests he views romantic relationships as serious commitments rather than casual encounters. This perspective, combined with his rising global profile, indicates that any future relationship announcements will likely be significant both personally and professionally.
The ongoing speculation about Rema’s dating life demonstrates the intense public interest in African artists’ personal lives as Afrobeats continues its global expansion. Whether with Justine Skye or someone else entirely, Rema’s eventual relationship confirmation will undoubtedly generate significant media attention and fan engagement across multiple continents.
