Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio call it quits

Oh, Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio. We hardly knew ye.

The mutually blond lovebirds have called it quits after nearly sixth months together, with details scarce, but reps for both actors insisted to outlets including Us Weekly that the pair "remain friends."

Just no longer the friends-with-benefits variety.

Lively is back to work on the CW's "Gossip Girl" after a filming a feature in Los Angeles this summer. DiCaprio remains busy, currently shooting Baz Luhrman's 3D "Great Gatsby" update in Australia and chilling at the top of the year's highest-paid actors list.

After picking up tabloid steam starting in June, DiCaprio and Lively enjoyed quality yacht time at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by street shopping in Monte Carlo.

DiCaprio bounced to Lively on the heels of another "off" with his on-and-off model love Bar Refaeli. Blake previously dated her "Gossip Girl" costar Penn Badgley.

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photos: Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio. Credits: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press, left; Toru Hanai / Reuters, right.

'Green Lantern' premiere: Ryan Reynolds is lively, Blake Lively is late [Video]

Ryan Reynolds may be the star of "Green Lantern," but it was Blake Lively who seemed to be the center of attention at the film's premiere in Hollywood on Wednesday evening.

Reynolds, who plays Hal Jordan in the film, arrived to the event in a timely fashion, stopping to speak individually to every one of the roughly 40 press outlets camped out on the carpet.

"All of these people out here, it's fantastic," he said, glancing at the horde of eager fans populating Hollywood Boulevard. "I'm always excited [when my movies open]. You're always excited to show your work.

While Reynolds continued to make his way down the media line, Lively was nowhere to be seen. Publicists explained she was stuck in "Hollywood Bowl traffic."

 Sure enough, she showed up five minutes before the movie was supposed to premiere, dressed in a jaw-dropper of a Chanel number that seemed to turn just about everyone's head. She had about 20 of her family members in tow, and even conducted a few interviews with some of her young relatives flanking her.

But because she was late, she had to rush relatively quickly into Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Studio representatives promised she'd return immediately after the movie was introduced -- which she did about 20 minutes later, granting cheery-but-brief interviews to grouped bunches of media outlets.

That meant we didn't get to throw any questions her way, though we did get to listen to her enthusiastically explain what she believes makes "Green Lantern" different from all of the other comic book films out there this summer.

"I think the "Green Lantern" is unique because the emphasis is that he's a man, not that he's super, you know?" she said, smiling.

"He inherits this incredible amount of responsibility, but, he's like, 'Eh, I'm not really sure I want it. You can give that to someone else.' ... So it's pretty honest in such a fantastical world. It's nice to have these characters that are very human at the heart of it."

"Green Lantern" opens Friday.

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Top photo: Ryan Reynolds greets fans at the "Green Lantern" premiere in Hollywood on Thursday. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Left photo: A late Blake Lively, center, shows up at Grauman's with an entourage of family members. Credit: Robyn Beck / Agence France Presse / Getty Images

Blake Lively says nude photos aren't real -- but what about spending time with Leonardo DiCaprio?

And Blake Lively thought she was on hiatus from "Gossip Girl."

The actress has been the source of much speculation this week thanks to photos claiming to show her in the nude, all the while she's been abroad taking nighttime walks with Leonardo DiCaprio.

On Tuesday, photos taken with a mobile device circulated on the Web claiming to show Lively completely naked, in an upper-body and full-length shot. 

A rep for Lively told the Ministry the pictures were fake, adding that "Blake has never taken nude photos of herself."

Someone did manage to get a much more civilized shot of Lively in a cream-colored minidress, roaming the streets of Monte Carlo with DiCaprio. The two sparked some interest during the Cannes International Film Festival by appearing at the same parties and have apparently extended their French vacation to include leisure time. 

"He looked very in love," an onlooker told Us Weekly of DiCaprio when he brought Lively to a Grand Prix viewing party in the foreign city. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Blake Lively attends a Chanel presentation at the Hotel du Cap on May 9. Credit: Dominique Charriau / Getty Images 

'Gossip Girl': Taylor Momsen, Jessica Szohr out; Kaylee DeFer in

"Gossip Girl" actresses Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr -- the two bad girls from the wrong side of Manhattan -- are leaving the CW show.

Despite the show's renewal for a fifth season, Momsen, 17, who plays social climber Jenny Humphrey, and Szohr, 26, who plays film chick Vanessa Abrams, have not been signed back on as series regulars, according to Show Tracker. 

We're not really sad to see them go, thanks to  story lines that had Momsen and Szohr leaving town after being on the outs with the main characters for doing some truly loathsome scheming. We are also glad to bid adieu to their zany outfits.

Show Tracker: 'Gossip Girl' recaps

Momsen had already been demoted from series regular in 2010, and Szohr's Vanessa recently revealed that she'd be leaving the Upper East Side to study abroad. However, they could make a few guest appearances in the upcoming season.

But don't fret, "Gossip Girl" fans: Kaylee DeFer, who plays Serena Van der Woodsen's cousin Charlie, is being added as a series regular, the Wall Street Journal said. We can only imagine, having already weaseled Dan away from Serena and essentially vanquished Vanessa, that she'll be taking on the resident-villain role.

Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford will all be returning for the next season. Maybe they'll finally figure out the identity of Kristen Bell's omniscient narrator? Here's hoping.

As for Momsen, who's made it clear that her music career is her focus, she will still be jamming with her girl rock band the Pretty Reckless.

Szohr seems to be shifting her focus to movies and will be working the romantic-comedy circuit this summer. She'll hit the big screen in June with Kellan Lutz and Mandy Moore in "Love, Wedding, Marriage," and in September she'll appear in "I Don't Know How She Does It" with Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Christina Hendricks and Seth Meyers.

Not a bad upgrade, yes?

Is it too soon or about time that Momsen and Szohr take off? And what about DeFer -- is she already giving you the creeps too? Tell us in comments.

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-- Nardine Saad
Twitter.com/NardineSaad

Top left photo: Taylor Momsen. Credit: Amanda Schwab / Starpix / Associated Press

Top right photo: Jessica Szohr. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Bottom photo: Kaylee DeFer. Credit: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images

Blake Lively goes for fiery red hair [Poll]

Blake Lively has said buh-bye to her blond bombshell status -- the "Gossip Girl" star has a new hair color, officially changing from towhead to redhead.

Lively, who will star in "The Green Lantern" this summer, stepped out Wednesday at the Time 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala with her signature blond locks coated in a shade of crimson for a movie role with Alec Baldwin, Chloe Moretz and Rory Culkin.

"It's for the film 'Hick,' " she told People. "I thought [my character] needed red hair. It helps when you're playing a role, when I don't feel like myself. And I don't really feel like myself with red hair."

The new face of Chanel handbags wowed onlookers in her green Zuhair Murad gown, but it was her 'do that stole the show.

"I love it," she said. "I feel like Ariel."

Aside from the Little Mermaid, Lively joins other famous redheads Julia Roberts, Isla Fisher, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams and Joy Behar. Which one is your favorite?

What do you think of Blake's new locks? Are you sad to see the signature Serena Van der Woodsen look go?  Tell us in comments.

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Photos: Time 100 Most Influential People Gala 

-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com/NardineSaad

Photos: Blake Lively with red hair, left, and as a blond. Credits: Peter Kramer / Associated Press; Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Blake Lively named 2011's 'most desirable woman'

Oh, to be Blake Lively, who's at the top of Askmen.com's list of the 99 most desirable women.

"Gossip Girl's" curvaceous blond bombshell is rocking the list at No. 1, jumping from the No. 85 position last year. And what's not to desire?

The 23-year-old SoCal native, who plays New York "it" girl Serena Van Der Woodsen on the CW show, got her big-screen break as a flirty soccer player in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and showed her range by playing opposite of type in Ben Affleck's "The Town," surprising many critics.

Her beauty mark could also give Cindy Crawford a run for her money.

On the slate for Lively this summer is "The Green Lantern," one of the many comic-book-inspired flicks of 2011. She'll be playing Carol Ferris to Ryan Reynolds' Hal Jordan. Be still, fanboy hearts!

Lively's runners up: "Black Swan" star Mila Kunis came in at No. 2 and "Modern Family" firecracker Sofia Vergara finished third, beating out Scarlett Johansson, Kim Kardashian and a slew of supermodels.

See the whole list at Askmen.com.

Poor, poor Penn Badgley. Wish you two didn't call it quits now, dontcha?

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-- Nardine Saad

Photo: Blake Lively at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Sept. 20, 2009. Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Beyonce, John Mayer, Blake Lively open Marquee at the Cosmopolitan

Eat your heart out, Snooki -- the whole of Hollywood and other bold names were in Las Vegas to ring in the New Year for the grand opening of the Cosmopolitan hotel and casino. 

While New Year's Eve saw a hotly anticipated concert from Jay-Z and Coldplay, Thursday marked the opening of New York institution nightspot Marquee inside the brand-new Sin City establishment. Beyonce and sister Solange Knowles turned up to catch a christening performance from Florence + the Machine. 

The sisters held court in the club's library, where DJ Samantha Ronson played hits by both Beyonce and her husband, Jay (who eventually came to join his bride and sister-in-law). 

Ronson was occupied with new pal Ellen Pompeo and her husband, Chris Ivery, with whom she became fast friends at Nicole Richie's wedding. Ronson played pool with the duo in between sets. 

Blake Lively made an appearance in festive blue sequined leggings, as did John Mayer, Jared Leto, Taraji Henson, Kellan Lutz, designer Alexander Wang and model Selita Ebanks. 

Do you think the Marquee bash was well attended? Tell us in the comments section below.

-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo (top): Beyonce, left, and Solange Knowles. Credit: Seth Browarnik / Worldredeye.com

Photo (bottom):  Blake Lively, left, and Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. Credit: Seth Browarnik / Worldredcyc.com

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Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Leighton Meester attend CFDA awards

With Hollywood's Monday night offering the flashy "Burlesque" premiere, New York City responded with a curt air kiss in the form of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards — a chic trophy ceremony chaired by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.

Blake Lively, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, "Country Strong's" Leighton Meester and other luminaries hit massive Manhattan gallery space Skylight Soho for the honors that crowned designer Billy Reid with the top prize: $300,000, plus mentoring for his forthcoming collections.

The ubiquitous Kim Kardashian attended as designer Zac Posen's date, and Christina Ricci, Alexa Chung, Mary-Louise Parker, singer Keri Hilson, Chace Crawford and "True Blood" couple Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer were also spotted.

Carey Mulligan was there, decked out in Chanel, and though she wasn't taking home any design prizes, she did score the role of Daisy Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann's upcoming "Great Gatsby" adaptation, learning at the event that she'd gotten the job.

Naturally, big-name designers and red carpet staples were there, including Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung, Karl Lagerfeld, Richard Chai, Chris Benz and Alexander Wang.

Click the pic of the Olsen twins, left, to see more photos from the event.

— Matt Donnelly

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Right photo: Leighton Meester at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund awards on Nov. 15 in New York. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press.

Left photo: Ashley Olsen, left, and sister Mary-Kate Olsen. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press.

Report: Blake Lively and Penn Badgley split

"Gossip Girl" costars Blake Lively and Penn Badgley have called it quits, a new report says. A disturbing notion, as perhaps the younger set is taking cues from more established showbiz couples of late.

"They’re professionals," a source told Us magazine. "They're still good friends and hang out on the set."

Although both are only 23, the showmance has lasted three years -- almost the entire run of the high school soap set in the privileged world of Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Calls to reps for both stars were not immediately returned.

The Ministry saw Lively just weeks ago at Spike TV's Scream Awards, sans Badgley, where she was promoting her flick "The Green Hornet" with Ryan Reynolds. 

Badgley and Lively were last seen together at the Toronto Film Festival, where Badgley's "Easy A" and Lively's Ben Affleck-directed "The Town" premiered.

-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Penn Badgley and Blake Lively in the early days of "Gossip Girl." Credit: The CW Network

Get more on recent Celebrity Breakups from The Ministry  

 

 

Mega stars turn out for Spike TV's Scream Awards 2010 [Updated]

Though merely misty at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on Saturday, it was raining celebs for Spike TV's Scream Awards -- an annual celebration of creepy, cringe-worthy and fanboy fare. 

Backed by a massive outdoor set inspired by Christopher Nolan's "Inception," tons of bold-face names came to present and claim trophies as well as to unveil new footage from upcoming films.

In a tiny gold cocktail dress, Halle Berry opened the show by introducing Nolan, who scooped up several statuettes for his Leonardo DiCaprio-led flick. 

Fan legends Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox appeared (yes, the DeLorean was there too) to salute the "Back to the Future" franchise, which is marking its 25th anniversary with a DVD release and some interesting footage of Eric Stoltz as the original Marty McFly.