Jessica Simpson has a new man in her life. The repeatedly unlucky-in-love singer, who previously dated Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, is now being romanced by another football hunk: Eric Johnson, a former tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints.
“It’s true,” an insider told People magazine, saying the couple have been an item since May.
“She is happy that she found a great guy,” the source said. “She’s really happy.”
An NFL source described Eric, who’s currently separated (he filed for divorce in February), as “one of the nicest guys around.
“He is the polar opposite of what you think of when you say ‘player.’ When I met him, he was driving a Prius when other athletes were driving gas-guzzling cars.”
A nonplayer sounds exactly like what Jess needs. Let’s hope she doesn’t get her heart broken this time around!
Mel Meltdown?
It’s no secret Mel Gibson has a dark side, but graphic evidence of his rage may be about to become public.
Last week, Radar Online reported the existence of shocking racial-slur-laced recordings of him verbally abusing then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. Now, the website claims Oksana has photos that show the effects of Mel physically abusing her.
“You can see Oksana’s two main front teeth were broken and there are bruises all over her face,” said a friend who has allegedly seen the pictures. “They will come out eventually, and she is prepared to use them in their court case.”
The former couple are battling for custody of baby daughter Lucia, and the Russian singer recently filed a restraining order against the “Braveheart” star. But Mel’s attorney strongly denies that any physical abuse took place on the night of the alleged incident, Jan. 6.
“Oksana was scared to death to go to the cops,” the insider said of the alleged abuse. “Any battered woman is. Most women never speak out and suffer [for] years.”
Documents related to their court battle have been sealed, but we have a feeling more dirt could be dished before it’s resolved.
Rocker Romance
Things are getting serious between Kate Hudson and her new guy, Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy: He’s meeting the parents.
The Brit rocker told the U.K.’s Mirror that mom Goldie Hawn (and, we presume, de facto stepdad Kurt Russell) will soon be giving him the once-over.
“We are meeting up next week. I’m quite nervous,” Matt said. “You don’t want her reading daft stories about you online. It’s embarrassing when you meet someone's family for the first time.”
Though he may lose points if he strikes out with Goldie, the romance apparently is progressing quite swimmingly.
“Things are going great at the moment. I am very happy,” Matt said. “We had such a good time at [last weekend’s] Glastonbury [Music Festival]. We just have fun together and are seeing how it goes. Kate is great. We have tried to keep things private, so we haven’t told anyone how we met or any details like that. We are just doing our thing.”
So, about that diamond-encrusted ring he gave the “Bride Wars” star at Glastonbury ... does that mean he might be asking permission for her hand in marriage?
“It’s a little bit too soon to talk about weddings and stuff,” Matt said. “Ask me again in a few months, though. I’ll let you know how it went with Goldie, and then who knows?”
Sounds promising! Somehow, we’re guessing Kate’s last flame, Alex Rodriguez, was not so eager to discuss marriage after “a few months.”
Kitty Raymond is an entertainment writer and astrologer. She welcomes feedback at kitty@media-darling.com.