Celine Dion Addresses Pepe Munoz Dating Rumors

Celine Dion is addressing the rumors that she’s dating backup dancer Pepe Munoz, who she’s been seen out with frequently over the last two years.

“I am single. The press said, ‘Oh my God, René just passed and now there’s another man.’ Yeah, there’s another man in my life but not the man in my life,” Celine said on ITV’s Lorraine show (via People). “When I say I am single, please leave me alone.”

“It was probably overwhelming for [Pepe] at the beginning when we started working together because we were dancing together,” Celine continued. “We bonded right away as friends, we had a good time. It evolved. But when people started to take pictures and it was like, ‘Who’s that guy? René?’…Let’s not mix everything,” she continued. “We’re friends, we’re best friends. Of course we hug and hold hands and go out, so people see that. I mean, he’s a gentleman. He’s giving me his hand to go out…I don’t mind [hearing the rumors] because he’s handsome and he’s my best friend.”

Celine‘s husband Rene Angelil passed away in January of 2016 at the age of 74.