Joely Richardson has proven that she also has “a very particular set of skills” — and they involve making rumor mills spiral out of control.
Over the weekend, “Baywatch” icon Pamela Anderson decided to publish a flirty carousel post on Instagram to celebrate the Aug. 1 premiere of her new film, “Naked Gun.”
The post features several black and white photos of Anderson goofing around with her “Naked Gun” co-star Liam Neeson.
In the first few photos, the two can be seen playfully throwing around popcorn. The fourth features Neeson leaning over Anderson to take a photo of her while she’s giggling on the ground. The final image is one of the photos Neeson shot of his co-star.
“The Naked Gun is finally in theatres!” Anderson wrote in the caption of the post. “Bring your friends, family, lovers… whoever… just go and have a laugh… it’s good for you! I’ll see you there 🤍🍿”
Anderson’s use of the word “lovers” — and the romantic photos — seem to be a coy play on mounting rumors that she’s dating Neeson.
But when Joely Richardson — the sister of Neeson’s late wife, Natasha Richardson — decided to weigh in on Anderson’s post in the comments section, things escalated from teas-y to tantalizing.
“❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” she posted, seeming to give the two actors her blessing.
Joely Richardson, left, and actor Pamela Anderson looking cozy with her co-star Liam Neeson, right.
Natasha Richardson died in 2009 of a traumatic brain injury from a skiing accident. Ever since her death, Neeson has been incredibly public about his pain over the loss of his wife.
Although neither he nor Anderson has confirmed that they are dating, People reported last week that a source close to “Naked Gun” confirmed that the co-stars are “smitten.”
“It’s a budding romance in the early stages,” the source told People. “It’s sincere, and it’s clear they’re smitten with each other.”
So fans gobbled up Joely Richardson’s eyebrow-raising comment, with one Instagram user remarking, “Well, now I believe it.”
Liam Neeson with his wife Natasha Richardson, center, and sister-in-law Joely Richardson, far right, in 2000. Natasha and Joely’s mother, Hollywood icon Vanessa Redgrave, is at the far left.
Nick Elgar via Getty Images
Neeson and Richardson’s son Daniel also added fuel to the fire when his dad and Anderson were guests during Sunday’s episode of “Watch What Happens Live.”
During the episode, host Andy Cohen told the two actors that, as a “very old friend” of theirs, he’s a fan of their possible romance.
“All of your friends are very much stanning this relationship, as the kids say,” Cohen said.
In response, Anderson looked sweetly over at Neeson and said, “Aw.” This prompted Neeson to reach out and squeeze her shoulder, and in response, she grabbed his hand.
Anderson gives Neeson a kiss on the cheek during “The Naked Gun” London premiere in July.
John Phillips via Getty Images
Cohen then looked out to the audience and spotted Daniel Neeson.
“Right, Danny?” Cohen asked.
“Yes,” he could be heard saying before the camera panned to him with a nervous smile on his face.
“Yeeesss,” Cohen said tellingly in response.