Emma Stone as Olive in 'Easy A.' Photo courtesy of Screen Gems.
By Erika Mionis
2010 has been a big year for movies. Sequels like Iron Man 2 and Toy Story 3 have ruled at the box office, while animated films like Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon have made their marks as well. Those aside, the year was also particularly crammed with many a chick flick. From romantic comedies (When in Rome, Knight and Day) to romantic dramas (Dear John, Remember Me), nearly all of the movies have had easily identifiable themes and laughs that we learned from and enjoyed. Out of all the great romantic movies we have seen this year, the following have had lessons that effortlessly apply in the real world:
John Mellencamp and Elaine Irwin. Photo: Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
It looks like singer John Mellencamp is starting the new year as a single man. After 18 years of marriage, Mellencamp and his wife Elaine have decided to call it quits. According to People, the pair met in 1991 when supermodel Elaine Irwin was hired to pose on the cover of Mellencamp’s ‘Whenever We Wanted’ album. No concrete reason has been given for the split, but Mellencamp’s spokesperson Bob Merils told The Hollywood Reporter that they “are proud of their 20 years together and are very happy with their accomplishments both as parents and as a family” and that “they will continue to raise their two children in Indiana, but have decided to call it a day as a couple.”
What are ways to get out there after a long marriage ends?
Macaulay Culkin and Mila Kunis. Photo: Chris Hatcher / PR Photos; Bob Charlotte / PR Photos
After eight years together, Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin have decided to amicably end their relationship. According to UsMagazine.com, the couple went their separate ways months ago, but decided to keep it quiet while Kunis, 27, promoted Black Swan. The actress has never made her fear of settling down a secret. She even admitted to Blackbook in 2009 that although she doesn’t believe in marriage, she does want to have children someday. “I will have children,” Kunis said. “I’m too selfish to have them now, but when I do, I don’t feel like I need to be married. I need to have a person in my life who will care for me and my children — nothing else.”
What are things to consider about your partner before you have kids?
Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian. Photo: Tina Gill / PR Photos
What’s a celebrity couple to do when they’re barred from attending a birthday bash? They just attend a party thrown in their honor to ring in the New Year of course! LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian found themselves missing from the guest list for a party hosted by the ex-boyfriend of Cibrian’s ex, Brandi Glanville. According to E! Online, “They tried to get on the list, but he said no because of his allegiance to Eddie’s ex-wife.” It’s time for Plan B! The newly engaged couple spent the night at Pink Kitty nightclub in Cabo.
What are ways to overcome animosity from ex partners?
Valeri Bertinelli is hitched! The actress married her boyfriend of seven years, Tom Vitale, on New Year’s Day at their home in Malibu, People reports. “We’re so happy!” said Bertinelli. There were approximately 100 guests at the wedding, including Bertinelli’s son Wolfie from her previous marriage to Eddie Van Halen, who also attended.
Alex Rodriguez and Kate Hudson. Photo: David Gabber / PR Photos; Starmax / PRPhotos.com
Apparently, Cameron Diaz pales in comparison to Kate Hudson when it comes to boyfriend, Alex Rodriguez’s kids. According to UsMagazine.com, a source says that Natasha, 6, and Ella, 2, “liked Kate more than Cameron, since she had Ryder [Hudson’s 6-year-old son]. They really miss him.” Diaz has been doing her best to get on the kids’ good side while vacationing in Cab San Lucas, Mexico over the holidays. Hopefully, all of her efforts don’t go unnoticed!
What do you do if your kids don’t like the person you’re dating?
I’ve read a metric bazillion dating profiles in my time as an online dating coach and about 90% are yawn-worthy. Do you think you’re part of the other 10%? Think again.
Most people write a dating profile that reads a bit like a cereal box. Have you seen the following claims on a dating profile (maybe yours)?
The Cereal Box Dating Profile
Healthy: “I like to take care of my body and you should, too.” Balanced: “I love to get dressed for a night out or wear PJs for a movie at home.” Wholesome: “Family is really important to me. I don’t know what I’d do without the support and love of my parents and siblings.” Mom-approved: “Best of all, your parents will love me.”
Sure, these are all things that you might value in a date, but we eat cereal every day. It’s not exciting. It’s not unique. It’s not interesting. It’s just… okay. Pair a cereal box profile with photos of a regular Joe (or Jane), and what do you get? Not a whole lot of emails from potential dates, that’s what!
Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian. Photo: Starmax / PRPhotos.com
If Kourtney Kardashian didn’t know about model Leandro Magno’s feelings before, she sure does now. In an exclusive video interview with RadarOnline, Mango stated, “If things happen to not work out with Scott Disick,” he would love to be more than friends with Kardashian. With the hot-cold relationship between Kardashian and Disick, it’s no wonder men are still vying for her affections. Magno ensured, “There’s definitely attraction from my part … She knows her worth I would say.” Its clear Magno himself believes he would be an upgrade. “I do know that I can treat her like a princess she deserves to be.”
What do you do if you know your friend is dating a dud?
Jason Mraz and Tristen Prettyman. Photo: Charles Norfleet / PR Photos
Singer Jason Mraz is sure his fiancée, Tristan Prettyman is “The One.” UsMagazine.com reports that Mraz’s certainty stems from his devotion to the number 23. “[Prettyman and I] hit it off instantly by syncing our interest in this magical prime number,” said Mraz on his blog. “Whenever she or I come upon it, whether being sat at table 23, or assigned seat 23 on a plane, we almost-always and/or involuntarily think about the other.” In fact, Mraz proposed on the magical 23rd of December. “We both see this being a long engagement, but would love to get married within the next 2.3 years,” said Mraz. “She will likely retain her beautiful name, but should she decide to hyphenate, Tristan Ann Prettyman-Mraz makes 23 letters.”
Christie Brinkley. Photo: Charles Norfleet / PR Photos
Even though Christie Brinkley has been divorced for two years, she’s in no hurry to find love again, according to People. Why? According to the model, she’s not as likely to meet people when she has her kids with her, which is a lot of the time. Also, she says, “you never really know if someone is talking to you because you’re a celebrity. It’s not my number one priority.” Brinkley currently has three children, and says that being a mother “takes a lot of work. My works makes me a better mom. It gives me a little door to step out of my parenting and bring the excitement from that day back home.” Her advice to bounce back from a painful divorce? “You’ve got to find a way to keep laughing, even if it’s black humor, and my friends are very good at that,” she says. “Some people think of happiness as a luxury, but it’s a necessity, and you need to make space for it in your life.”
How do you know if someone likes you for the right reasons?
Nicki Minaj is single and ready to date, according to The Hollywood Gossip. Minaj is on the cover of the latest issue of King Magazine and opens up about what she’s looking for in a partner. “Someone who is calm, who is strong enough to not have to win every argument, who allows a woman to be her crazy self and someone with a conscience not to feel less of a man.” We suppose a calm man would be a good balance to the rapper’s wild style.
What are characteristics of a good argument style in a relationship?
Jim Toth and Reese Witherspoon. Photo: Pablo/Stoianov/FameFlynet Pictures
Reese Witherspoon will soon be walking down the aisle once again, this time with Hollywood agent Jim Toth. The actress, 34, and Toth, 40, began dating in January 2010. This will be Witherspoon’s second time down the aisle; her first marriage to actor Ryan Phillippe ended in 2008. Witherspoon and Phillippe have two children together, Ava, 11, and Deacon, 7. An insider revealed that Witherspoon’s children have bonded with Toth and “…are happy with [Toth].” The source assured UsMagazine.com, “[Reese] is definitely happy, in love and definitely wants to settle down.”
What are things to consider about a second marriage?
Tasha Smith and Keith Douglas. Photo: Koi Sojer / PR Photos
Every little girl has dreams of a big fancy wedding when she grows up, right? Not necessarily! For Tasha Smith and Keith Douglas, exchanging vows in the living room of their Los Angeles home was a dream come true. “We decided to hold a very simple, intimate ceremony with just us and our pastor,” the 39-year-old actress tells Essence. According to People, the newlyweds announced their engagement six months ago. Now back from her Las Vegas honeymoon, Smith says, “It was a beautiful, blessed moment that we will remember forever.”
Shenae Grimes and John Mayer. Photo: Andrew Evans / PR Photos; Charles Norfleet / PR Photos
According to UsMagazine.com, Star recently connected Shenae Grimes of 90210 to singer, John Mayer. However, both parties deny this claim. While a rep for John Mayer simply stated that Star isn’t a credible source, Shenae Grimes took to Twitter to set the record straight by tweeting, “According to Star magazine John Mayer and I are in secret sexy cahoots. How wonderful for me…if wonderful meant embarrassing.”How do you tell if he’s a bad boy?
Luke Worrall and Kelly Osbourne. Photo: Bob Charlotte / PR Photos
Christmas wasn’t so merry for Kelly Osbourne, thanks to ex-fiance Luke Worrall. According to Us Weekly, the 26-year old let her ex have it late Monday night via Twitter. At first, Osbourne kept it cryptic, tweeting: “Just found something out that has hurt my feelings so bad 🙁 and christmas was going so well.” Later on, she made it clear that since they parted in July, “he has been trying to get back with me, I only came home for Xmas to see him. Meanwhile, he has been f***ing hundreds of girls…behind my back.” The E! Fashion Police critic is back in London with her family for the holidays and plans to go “off Twitter for a while.” Osbourne noted, “Never felt heartbroken like this in my life.”
What things should you keep to yourself in a relationship?
Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes. Photo: ME/LAQ/Flynetpictures.com
After all the controversy surrounding their relationship, LeAnn Rimes and boyfriend Eddie Cibrian are engaged! According to People, a source close to the couple says, “Yes, they were engaged over the holidays and are very happy.” On Monday, Rimes thanked all of her fans for their support by tweeting, “Thank you for all your well wishes!! We are extremely excited and look forward to a beautiful future. It’s been an incredible last few days, I was shocked!!! We are blessed, our families are so happy and our lives are filled with love.” The pair was surrounded by family and friends in town directly following.
What are reasons to involve your family in your engagement?
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson. Photo: CWNY/Fame Pictures
Jessica Simpson was very active on her Twitter account this past week, wishing all of her followers a very merry Christmas, reports RadarOnline. Simpson revealed that her entire family gathered at her parents’ home in Encino, California for a Christmas celebration. Simpson’s fiancé, football player Eric Johnson, was also there for the celebration. “Eric is the perfect addition to our family,” tweeted Simpson. “I’m so grateful this holiday season!!! I hope everyone had a magical Christmas! Love you X.”
Is it important that your partner fit in with your family?
2010 is drawing to a close, and the new year will soon be upon us. While this is usually exciting for me, I must admit that I’m not looking forward to watching the clock strike midnight this year. Let me explain. I turn 35 next year. If I’m being honest, I’m scared shitless. Luckily, I still feel and (thanks to great genes), look 25. But no matter how young I look, the fact remains the same: next year I will be 35 and still single. I’ll be single with not even a whiff of any potentials and without ever having experienced a long term relationship. The older I get, the more worried I feel about my singledom.
Just like Jennifer Aniston (and many other single women out there), I’m notoriously unlucky in love. Although Jen has the distinct advantage of having been married to Brad Pitt, whereas I have the advantage of still being in my mid-30’s (Aniston is in her 40’s). Either way, I’m rooting for Jen because I’m sick and tired of the reaction in the media to her lack-of-a-man situation. Everything they say about Aniston are the same things my friends, family and co-workers say about me: “but, she‘s gorgeous,” “but she‘s successful” and “why on earth can’t she keep a man?.” It’s frustrating, it’s tiring and it’s just not fair.
Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman. Photo: Andrew Evans / PR Photos
Natalie Portman has more to celebrate than her Golden Globe nomination. The actress is engaged to choregrapher, Benjamin Millepied, and they are expecting their first child, according to People. The pair met during the production of the Darren Aronofsky’s ballet thriller Black Swan, where Millepied acted as a choreographer and one of Portman’s co-stars. The couple is excited for their first child who is due in 2011.
After a May wedding, singer Alanis Morissette and rapper Mario “Souleye” Treadway are proud to announce the arrival of their son, Ever Imre Morissette-Treadway. Talk about a mouthful! It was in August that Morissette revealed her pregnancy in Us Weekly’s “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me” section, listing “I am pregnant!” as the 25th item on the list. According toUs Weekly, a representative confirms, “All are healthy and happy.”
What are ways to compromise with your partner about a baby name?
Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson. Photo: Fame Pictures
As much as we had hoped they would work it out, less than two weeks after their separation, Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johannson have officially filed for divorce, according to USMagazine.com. According to their documents, neither is asking for spousal support.
How do you know when it’s time to make a separation permanent?
Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck. Photo: Insidefoto / PR Photos
Before marrying rocker Chris Martin and becoming a family woman, Gwyneth Paltrow was a serial dater. In the 90’s, she was known for her high-profile relationships with men like Brad Pitt and Ben Affleck. Paltrow now confesses that now she feels a little weird about her famous ex-boyfriends, according to Us Weekly. “It was strange to be part of a public couple,” she says in a new E! special, Gwyneth Paltrow.
What are personality traits to avoid in a potential partner?
Christina Ricci, Robert Pattinson and Holliday Grainger. Photo: Away! / PR Photos
Uh oh, should Kristin Stewart be worried? According to Us Weekly, Christina Ricci and Rob Pattinson locked lips for their upcoming movie Bel Ami, and Ricci liked it. The actress confessed, “He’s a good kisser,” but the smooching was purely professional. She went on to say, “He’s a lovely human being also, he reminded me of my best friend’s little brothers growing up. He’s just a silly, fun guy; we laughed a lot. He makes fun of himself all the time; he’s adorable…” Luckily, it seems like Stewart has nothing to worry about.
Why is the first kiss in a relationship so important?
Danielle and Kevin Jonas. Photo: Diane Cohen/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
This past Sunday marked the first wedding anniversary of pop star Kevin Jonas, and his wife Danielle. The couple celebrated their anniversary by visiting Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Florida. Jonas had some kind words to say for the occasion. “Happy anniversary to my amazing wife of a year and for the rest of my life I love you,” he wrote on Twitter. After a magical day at the theme park, the Jonases stayed in the Cinderella Castle Suite.
What are some unique first anniversary celebration ideas?
