Oprah’s Overseas Outing
Instead of red, white and blue, Oprah Winfrey was seeing green, white and red this Fourth of July weekend.
The talk-show giant, along with her BFF Gayle King, was spotted indulging in a little Independence Day R&R in Portofino, Italy.
And who can blame Miss O? After undergoing a 21-day diet detox, we’d be tempted to indulge in all the finer things the country has to offer as well.
Of course, this all leads to the burning question that we know is on everybody’s mind.
No, not, Where’s Stedman? But rather, What other celebs are enjoying another part of the world this time of year? Find out in our European Vacation gallery!
Brinkley: All I Ever Wanted Was a Big Happy Family
Christie Brinkley was back on the stand Monday for a tearful day three in her divorce and custody case.
Resuming testimony that began Thursday, the 54-year-old Uptown Girl played up her mothering credentials to the Long Island court, portraying herself as a much better caretaker for her kids than estranged husband Peter Cook, who admitted to having an affair with an 18-year-old staffer and a $3,000-a-month online porn habit during their marriage.
“The role of family to me is the most important thing,” Brinkley told the court, while choking back sobs.
“I’m sorry I’m crying right now, but the only thing I’ve ever wanted was a big happy family.”
The Vacation star told of how horrified she was when she threw an eighth birthday party for daughter Sailor Lee, baking cakes for 40 kids and trying to put on a happy face just a week after learning of the 49-year-old architect’s infidelity.
“It was hardI was devastated,” she said. “I was in this emotional tug-of-war and discovering more every day. It was a nightmare.”
The estranged couple are facing off over who will ultimately get custody of 12-year-old Jack and Sailor, now 10.
The former Sports Illustrated swimsuit fixture recalled breaking the news to the kids, telling them “I think Daddy has fallen out of love with Mommy.”
Brinkley said she went to great lengths to shield their kids from the tabloid tumult that followed, taking them camping in Colorado without access to TV or the Web.
Brinkley said they were atop a mountain under the stars when Cook’s teenage lover, Diana Bianchi, “spilled the beans” on TV “to get her 15 minutes of fame.”
She also went over her résumé, including speaking at the United Nations about the role of a mom as a “peacemaker” and being named Mother of the Year by a New York group.
Per New York’s Newsday, Brinkley also gave a glimpse inside the home life at their $30 million spread in Bridgehampton.
The compound features a children’s library, game rooms, an art studio and music rooms, a tennis court which doubled as a skate park for Jack, and a variety of pets: a Yorkie named Pinkie, a labra-doodle dubbed Sugar, a bunny called Gracie May and an African grey Conure named Kiwi Houdini Valentine.
“He’s a bird who think he’s a cat,” quipped Brinkley.
Brinkley also announced today that because of the roller-coaster ride she’s been on with thisher fourth marriageshe wasn’t planning on dating anytime soon, particularly out of concern for the children.
“They need a lot of attention right now,” she said. “They need to be reassured how loved they are [and] how their place is strong and secure in our lives.”
Sightings: Hilton, Seacrest and Scary Spice
HIGH ROLLERS: Paris Hilton and Benji Madden, partying at the new Wasted Space rock lounge in Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with Nicole Richie and Joel Madden after the night’s poolside Good Charlotte show.
HAMPTON’S HIDEAWAY: Ryan Seacrest, Mary-Kate Olsen, Rocco DiSpirito and Epic Records honcho Charlie Walk, hitting Snapple Antioxidant’s Fourth of July Barbecue and Don Julio tequila tasting at the Estate mansion in Sag Harbor, N.Y.
NIGHT OWLS: Jeremy Sisto and Jack Huston, hanging at the bar during the Lo Hi Fi party at Hollywood’s Green Door as Macy Gray ordered a bottle of Siku Glacier Ice Vodka at a nearby table.
GIMME MOORE: Shemar Moore, checking out Katt Williams’ show at the Pearl inside the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
WE ALL SCREAM: Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown and hubby Stephen Belafonte, treating their kids to Häagen-Dazs ice cream at L.A.’s Grove mall.
Serena & Common’s Love Match in London?
Tennis may not have been the only thing on Serena Williams’ mind at Wimbledon.
Her maybe-boyfriend Common was in London in the days leading up to the match against her sister, Venus, according to a source.
“Common flew over to London to hang with Serena,” the source reports. “He was running around with the Williams entourage.”
I’m told Serena rented a house in the London-area, while the Wanted star had a room at a hotel.
The two were spotted leaving a group dinner together on Thursday night. Common apparently left the next morning for a concert gig in Germany.
Common’s rep said, “I know he’s over there for some tour dates, so he could have gone to Wimbledon.” Williams’ rep did not comment.
Reports of a possible romance first surfaced late last year, but the two have never confirmed anything. “I think he’s a great guy,” Serena told Ebony magazine earlier this summer. “He’s obviously a great artist who is timeless and classic. You can’t beat that. But I have to focus on tennis, because that’s my goal in life.”