Looks like 2012 is starting off with as much turmoil as ever in the world of celebrity romances: † Avril Lavigne is said to be devastated about her breakup with boyfriend Brody Jenner after a two-year run. Apparently, Jenner was feeling a bit cornered by Lavigne, who reportedly wanted to settle down, possibly marry and begin to start a family with the TV personality and son of Olympic champ Bruce Jenner, now best known best for his role in the Kardashian family empire.
The singer was supposedly shocked by Brody’s abrupt decision to call it quits — described by one source as “really pretty cold …especially after two years.”One big question: What will the younger Jenner and Lavigne now do about those matching tattoos they have of each other’s names? Sounds like it’s laser erasure time!
† While Cameron Diaz is said to be crazy about Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul is described as viewing the actress more as a galpal he looks at as a “friend with benefits.”† Though Fantasia Barrino was warned by friends, she is upset about reports Antwaun Cook, the father of her one-month-old son, Dallas, has been stepping out on her already. Of course, the “American Idol” winner herself began her relationship with Cook while he was married, and he still is not divorced from wife Paula.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: After seeing a Chicago Who’s Who at the Pump Room on Monday night — including Chili Pepper; Ald. Ed Burke and his wife, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke; Boeing’s Courtney Thompson, and noted brain surgeon Dr. James Chandler — I spied entrepreneur Fred Latsko sweeping into Public Chicago, joined by famous restaurateur Michael Chow with son Max and top aide Mi Yong Yoo.
They all kept pretty mum, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a Mr. Chow’s soon arrives in Chicago — possibly in the Il Mulino space in a Latsko building on North Dearborn. Mr. Chow’s — long a big celebrity dining magnet — operates upscale eateries in Beverly Hills, Miami, London and Las Vegas, with two locations in New York.
MOVIE SCHMOOZE: Things continue in high gear for Chicago native Robert Teitel, who produced “Jayne Mansfield’s Car.” Co-written, directed by and starring Billy Bob Thornton, and also starring Robert Duvall and John Hurt, the drama gets its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival next month.
More important to those of us hoping Teitel will again return to Our Town to make a movie, he’s developing three scripts that take place in Chicago. Most likely the first to begin shooting here is “I Saw You,” which Teitel calls “an ensemble romantic comedy, following the relationships between an intertwined group of people who use misconnections and fate to fall in love.”
Previously, Teitel and his State Street Productions partner, director George Tillman Jr., filmed “Soul Food,” the two “Barbershop” flicks, “Roll-Bounce” and “Nothing Like the Holidays” in Chicago.
POLITICAL PATTER: While the majority of Hollywood stars, studio executives and other entertainment honchos will vote for President Obama’s re-election, it’s well-documented that Hollywood’s support for this administration has greatly waned from the avid support Obama received back in 2008.
Now, the president’s backing in Tinseltown is weakening further — thanks to the White House decision not to support the pending anti-piracy legislation for films and music (as currently drafted), citing freedom of expression issues.
Fighting piracy is a top issue for Hollywood players, as it directly affects them in a place they care about the most: their pocketbooks.
BRRRR! If you think you saw a number of female stars at the Golden Globes shivering in the Beverly Hilton ballroom Sunday night, it was for a good reason. In order to prevent the men from sweating in their tuxedos, the hotel turned down the thermostat — which made more than a few women in strapless gowns claim they were freezing. The smart ones had a jacket or a wrap to throw around their shoulders.
SEEN ON THE SCENE: “Real Housewives of Atlanta” mainstay NeNe Leakes was spied rockin’ at Paris Club in a pair of 7-inch heels, joking with the waitstaff that our January weather wasn’t as bad as she expected — compared to the 10-degree temps she had just experienced in New York. … Mayor Rahm Emanuel, joined by his son, Zach, attended a performance of “Ten” — a collection of 10 playlets penned by a number of the playwrights who have worked with the Gift Theatre — all part of the northwest side company’s 10th anniversary.