Orlando Bloom reminded everyone he has a killer sense of humor and is not afraid to join in on the fun. When The Onion posted a wildly fake, hilarious article claiming the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star was spotted on a romantic dinner date with no other than former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, most people laughed. But Orlando Bloom clapped.
The satirical piece, which hit Instagram on August 1, teased: "Just weeks after announcing his split with fiancée Katy Perry, English actor Orlando Bloom was photographed Friday dining with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. 'Angela kept Orlando laughing all night—he couldn't keep his eyes off her!' said an insider who spotted the pair sipping wine, slurping oysters, and splitting a decadent piece of chocolate layer cake at a Michelin-starred restaurant."
© The OnionTo cap it off, the post was paired with a hilarious AI-generated image of the duo in an upscale, candlelit setting. And Bloom was all in, dropping a row of clapping emojis in the comments like a self-aware and unbothered man.
© Getty Images for Ralph LaurenA Satire-Wrapped Nod to a Real-Life Plot Twist
Of course, The Onion isn't working in a vacuum. Their spoof is a cheeky nod to the real-world media buzz surrounding Bloom's ex, Katy Perry, and her rumored connection with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The pair were recently spotted dining together at Montreal's Le Violon restaurant, just a few weeks after Perry and Bloom confirmed their split.
In case you missed the headlines, Bloom and Perry—who share 4-year-old daughter Daisy Dove—ended their engagement earlier this summer after months of speculation. "Representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting," a joint statement to E! News read in early July. "They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is—and always will be—raising their daughter with love, stability, and mutual respect."
© Neilson BarnardSo while Perry's presence alongside Trudeau raised more than a few eyebrows, Bloom's reaction to the meme-worthy Merkel date shows he's choosing humor and maybe even a touch of Zen.
From Pirate Swords to Peace Signs
In the weeks following the breakup news, he's been sharing some decidedly philosophical messages across social media. And no, they're not cryptic subtweets, they're more like motivational reminders.
One quote he shared from Buddha read: "Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most." He followed it with another quote, this time from Buddhist thinker Daisaku Ikeda: "The important thing is to take that first step. Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next day."
© Getty Images for Ralph LaurenWhether he's getting fake-dating tips from The Onion or embracing the calm post-storm, Orlando Bloom seems to be living proof that breakups don't have to be messy, and that a well-placed emoji can speak volumes.
He's continued posting snippets from his life, focusing on fatherhood, mindfulness, and occasional behind-the-scenes teases from upcoming projects. And while Katy and Justin are still the subject of whispers and long-lens dinner pics, Bloom's fans are loving this playful, self-deprecating version of the actor.
