However, it was their ease as friends and how they could relate as professionals that gradually led to a full-blown romantic relationship. And they seemingly can’t hide their joy as they posed for photos together.
Their appearance as a couple prompted a flurry of conversation on the internet. Most of it centered on Grant’s identity, with many people thinking she was Helen Mirren.
Collaborating as Professionals
Their collaboration on the book "Ode to Happiness," the picture book aimed at an adult audience, was so well received that they decided to join forces again in 2016 on a second book, called "Shadows." Indeed, they appear to enjoy each other’s company. They were photographed together for the Spanish edition of Vogue, for example, and attended many book signings as a duo.
And Grant couldn’t stop welling with pride about the actor in interviews to promote "Shadows" – a book that combined her silhouette photography with his poetic words.
More Than Meets the Eye
At a particular interview, a journalist from the Los Angeles Times indeed seemed to understand that there was more than meets the eye to his relationship with Grant. In the piece, the reporter observed that the two friends share easy compatibility and spoke in easy conversations kindled by inside jokes and appreciating smiles.
Meanwhile, in another 2016 interview, Grant explained how she and Reeves encourage and inspire each other when collaborating, adding that they can spend a lot of time debating.
Strict Beauty Standards
So why do people assume she's Helen Mirren? It's mostly because of her gray hair? Yet stricter beauty standards for women mean that we generally assume a woman with gray hair must be older — otherwise, wouldn't she dye those lone gray strands?
This resulted in people manifesting confusion about Grant’s hair dependent on her age — and succeeding backlash to that confusion.
Age-Appropriate
You see, most of the talk on the internet focused around the fact that, unlike many of his Hollywood peers, Reeves was dating someone who was considered age-appropriate. Compare him with Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been publicly ridiculed for only dating women half his age.
And while admittedly Grant is still nine years younger than the much-loved actor, 65-year-old Dennis Quaid had announced his engagement to Laura Savoie – a Ph.D. student 39 years his junior.