Russell Crowe Dating Rumors: Actor Says He And Dita Von Teese Are ‘Friends, Not Lovers’

Can’t a Hollywood actor enjoy an innocent couple’s massage with a burlesque star anymore without people jumping to conclusions?

That’s apparently what Russell Crowe would like, but if the actor has his heart set on privacy he may want to pick someone a little less well known than Dita Von Teese to spend quality alone time with. The “Gladiator” star’s friendship with burlesque dancer and actress Dita Von Teese has invited some serious interest into his romantic life over the past few months, but Crowe is nixing rumors that the two are an item.

According to the Huffington Post, the two began flirting over Twitter several months ago when Crowe, 48, retweeted some of Von Teese’s salacious posts, like her message from last year, “Dressage. Was measured for bespoke blk patent boots w/my name stamped on the heel . . . But under whose bed did I leave my Hermes riding crop?”

The publication also reported that around the same time he retweeted another status of hers from the airport, saying, “Giving airport security a lesson in garter belts this morning.”

The messages triggered speculation that Crowe, who separated from his wife of nine years Danielle Spencer in October, might be dating Von Teese. Crowe tried to put a kibosh on those rumors in December, when he tweeted to fans, “As soon as I finish this job and can get home, my priority is to try to bring my family back together. These latest reports are false and cruel."

If Crowe is intent on reconciling with his estranged wife, the New York Post’s recent report that he shared a couple’s massage with Von Teese just days later will likely cause him some trouble.

According to the NY Post, Crowe and Von Teese were spotted by a source, sharing an early morning massage together at the Four Seasons Hotel in December.

Things appeared to be going well for Crowe when he tweeted on Sunday that he was enjoying a day with his children. “So Cool Golden Globe love for #LesMisCongrats @RealHughJackman and the amazing Anne Hathaway, 22.25km bike ride,now taking the kids 4 pizza,” the actor wrote.

If the allegations about his relationship with Von Teese are true, sources suggest that Crowe could face a nasty divorce with Spencer. According to News.com.au, the actor denied the Post’s claim in a tweet that has since been deleted, writing "@DitaVonTeese is brave, smart, sweet and elegant. She is a friend of mine. Who wouldn't want friends like that? Friends, not lovers.”