Who is Bobby Wooten III, Katie Holmes’ new boyfriend? The talented musician is a Broadway performer, teaches music at NYU and has worked with A-listers like Jennifer Lopez and Mac Miller
Has Katie Holmes found true love?
In a series of photographs published by People, the Dawson’s Creek actress, 43, was seen holding hands with and kissing musician Bobby Wooten III in New York City. The two looked like they were on a date as they strolled through Central Park.
It’s unclear when the couple started dating, but their relationship seems serious. Proof: in another photo, Wooten was seen hugging Holmes’ mum, Kathy.
So who is Wooten besides being Katie Holmes’ boyfriend?
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He is a self-taught bass player
Wooten is a composer, producer and an instrumentalist. What’s more impressive is that he’s self-taught.
In an interview with Bass Magazine, the musician shared he learned piano under the tutelage of his grandfather, but taught himself bass. He would listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder and a lot of Motown.
Music runs in his blood
In the same interview with Bass Magazine, he said he counts his father and grandfather as his influences. His grandfather started the Wooten Choral Ensemble in 1949. Wooten also recalled his dad did pop music and studio work and played keyboard in Marcus Miller’s band.
Besides his dad and grandfather, Wooten mentioned that everyone in his family is talented. He told the Bending Brains podcast that his siblings were musically inclined in high school, and that his sister still sings at a local choir in Chicago.
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He’s been on Broadway
Wooten played guitar, sang and danced in David Byrne’s American Utopia. The show opened in 2019, but was on hiatus for 18 months during the pandemic before closing, according to Cosmopolitan. After performing, he met celebrities backstage including Michelle Obama, Jacob Collier, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul McCartney.
He teaches in NYU
With his extensive knowledge in music, Wooten has made it a point to share his talent through teaching: he is an adjunct instructor at the NYU Tisch School of Arts. His bio states that he has “recorded and performed with David Byrne, Jennifer Lopez, Mac Miller, Jennifer Hudson and Rick Ross”.
Outside the university, Wooten founded web series America, Learn Your History, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. In a two-minute video, Wooten discusses American history through a black lens.
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He’s similar to Katie Holmes
Both have the Midwest in common. According to People, Holmes grew up in Toledo, Ohio while Wooten was born in New Jersey but raised in Chicago.
Another way they are connected? Both are Broadway performers. As mentioned, Wooten was in American Utopia. Holmes made her Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and acted in Dead Accounts in 2012 after her divorce from Cruise.
- Tom Cruise’s ex and the music artist were spotted in New York’s Central Park kissing and holding hands, and Wooten was even seen hugging Holmes’ mum
- Wooten is a composer, producer and instrumentalist who frequently works with famous artists – he even performed with Carly Rae Jepsen at this year’s Coachella