Friends of Ben & Jen take sides
Now the friends are fighting back over the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Garner split.
Amid allegations that Affleck had an affair with his children’s former nanny Christine Ouzounian, a source close to the star told People there was “no romantic relationship” between the two.
“Ben’s friendly, but it’s not always meant to be flirty,” the source said. “This was a very close relationship with someone who was taking care of the most important people in his life.”
But sources close to Garner claim she found out Affleck and Ouzounian were hooking up. “To Jen, this is the ultimate betrayal,” one friend told People.
Breakups part 2
The silence has ended: Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards and former One Direction star Zayn Malik are talking — sort of — following the news that their engagement has ended.
According to the Daily Mail, Perrie, 22, appeared on E! shortly after the news broke that Zayn had dumped her (she appeared with the rest of her Little Mix bandmates). Asked how she is coping, she replied, “I’m good, thank you.”
Supportive bandmate Leigh-Anne jumped in: “We don’t really want to talk about it.”
Meanwhile Zayn, also 22, had a more cryptic response, sharing a picture on Twitter of a lotus flower cut-out resting on piano keys, late on Tuesday.
Under the weather
Food Network star Sandra Lee has been hospitalized for complications from a recent double mastectomy.
Lee was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night to deal with a buildup of fluids and is expected to be monitored for a couple of days. The 49-year-old Semi-Homemade Cooking star had surgery in May after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.
Take a meeting
Comedian Louis C.K. has apparently taken an interest in municipal matters, shadowing New York City’s mayor during meetings to discuss mental health initiatives and the city’s finances.
The Daily News reports the star of FX Networks’ Louie attended a meeting at the Financial Control Board, quietly sitting in the back and taking notes. He then attended a meeting of City Hall staffers about mental health.
Asked about the visit, the first-term Democratic mayor quipped there’s “a lot of comedy at City Hall.”
The newspaper says Louis C.K. is preparing for an upcoming project.
Security issue
Police say former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was stopped at a Vermont airport security checkpoint because of a knife he was carrying.
Burlington police Lt. Shawn Burke says airport authorities told him about Brosnan’s encounter with Transportation Security Administration agents. He says Brosnan “was encountered by TSA at one of their checkpoints” and was allowed to proceed after the issue was resolved.
Together again
Eighth time’s a charm for country stars Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley: They’ll return to host the Country Music Association Awards on ABC this fall for an eighth straight year. The 49th annual awards show will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 4.
This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Friends of Ben & Jen take sides."