NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Katie Holmes and her talent agent, Jeremy Barber, were spotted hugging during a stroll in New York City recently, sparking romance rumors. However, Holmes' representative has clarified that their relationship was strictly platonic, according to Page Six.

As Holmes and Barber walked together on the sidewalk on June 24, Holmes was seen looking very happy with her arms around Barber's shoulders, while he held a cup of iced coffee. The two were seen laughing and talking during their stroll.

Who is Jeremy Barber?

In the photos, Holmes was dressed in a white T-shirt, gray pleated skirt and Adidas sneakers. Barber, who is a partner in the Motion Picture Literary and Talent Departments at United Talent Agency (UTA), the talent agency she signed with in December 2022. UTA also represents Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford and Charlize Theron.

Barber is a highly accomplished professional in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining UTA, he played a significant role as the President of Catch 23 and Catch 23 UK, production and management companies that he helped establish.

During his time at Catch 23, Barber served as an executive producer for films such as 'One Hour Photo' and 'King's Ransom'. Before his tenure at Catch 23, he held the position of head of Production and Acquisitions at Artisan Entertainment, where he oversaw the production of notable films including 'Requiem for a Dream', 'The Blair Witch Project' and 'Buena Vista Social Club'. His career in the entertainment industry began as an attorney at Loeb & Loeb, following his work at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and a clerkship on the Ninth Circuit. Prior to venturing into Hollywood, he had a background in politics, having worked on the Dukakis/Bentsen Campaign, for Congressman Chuck Schumer, Senator Herb Kohl and the Bill Clinton Chicago Convention.

Apart from his professional achievements, Barber is actively involved in various organizations and boards. He serves on the Georgetown University Law School Board of Visitors, the Telluride Film Festival's Esteemed Council of Advisors, The People Concern board, UTA's Advisory Council and Leadership Council, Campbell Hall's Advancement Committee, and has held the position of Chairman of the Board of the UCLA Lab School, where he currently maintains an emeritus position. He holds a law degree from Georgetown University and earned his MA and BA from Cambridge University. He is also a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, further highlighting his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Katie Holmes and Bobby Wooten break-up

This outing comes after Holmes and her ex-boyfriend, Bobby Wooten, broke-up after dating for eight months.

In April, Holmes concluded her performance in the off-Broadway show, 'The Wanderers', in which she portrays a movie star who reaches out to a married novelist, and their relationship subsequently tests the man's marriage. The stage production marked Holmes' third foray into theater. She initially made her Broadway debut in 2008, starring in a revival of Arthur Miller's 'All My Sons', and later returned to the stage in 2012 for the play 'Dead Accounts'.