Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's new relationship with pop star Katy Perry is generating international attention, but it is Sophie Grégoire's public response that has reshaped the narrative around one of the year's most unexpected political-celebrity storylines. Grégoire, who separated from Trudeau in 2023 after nearly two decades of marriage, addressed the media spectacle directly in a recent episode of the Arlene Is Alone podcast, offering a pointed reflection on emotional boundaries amid rising public scrutiny.
The political and entertainment worlds were jolted in July when Trudeau, 53, appeared publicly with Perry, 41, who had recently separated from actor Orlando Bloom. Their highly visible outings-including reported displays of affection-drew immediate social-media attention and fueled tabloid coverage across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Grégoire, now 50, chose to confront the reaction head-on, acknowledging the emotional complexity while insisting she retains ownership of her internal response.
"We're human beings and stuff affects us. Normal," she told podcast host Arlene Dickinson. "How you react to stuff is your decision. So I choose to try to listen to the music instead of the noise." Grégoire's remarks introduce a clear distinction between unavoidable emotional triggers and the personal discipline required to manage them in public life.
She expanded on that balance by noting her heightened sensitivity as a mental-health advocate. "I'm very aware that a lot of public stuff out there can be triggers. Right, we're humans," she said. "What I do with it is my decision. The woman I want to become through this is my decision." Her comments highlight an intention to separate her private growth from the media cycle surrounding her former spouse.
Grégoire also dismissed any suggestion that composure reflects emotional detachment. "Does that mean I don't have emotions? That I don't cry, scream, laugh? No," she said. She stressed that navigating disappointment and anger is part of the process: "I'll let myself be disappointed by someone, I'll let myself be angry, be sad. And I know for a fact how important it is, as a mental health advocate, to feel those emotions." What matters, she added, is "the space between the emotion and the reaction."
Co-parenting remains the central focus of her relationship with Trudeau, with whom she shares three children-Xavier, Ella-Grace, and Hadrien. "We have separate lives, but we have one family life," she said, describing a mutual commitment to prioritizing family stability. "You need a common, conscious decision that our family is our greatest creation and we're going to feed it together, no matter if we're on different life paths."
Meanwhile, Trudeau and Perry continue to appear together in public despite efforts to maintain discretion. The pair were seen at Montreal restaurant Le Violon following their July debut and later in Paris during celebrations for Perry's birthday. A source told Us Weekly on October 24 that Perry is "very happy" and "really into it," adding, "She's trying to keep it low-key, and they've spent a lot of private time together. She's not looking to publicise this relationship."
