Status Update

One of the original TV “bachelors” Andrew Firestone has called it quits with his wife Ivana after 17 years of marriage, I am saddened to report.

“After much reflection and many hours of counseling we have decided we can best serve the children and honor our commitment to family by moving forward as co-parents,” Andrew, a developer, wrote in an Instagram statement.

“While this was not an easy decision, we remain united in raising our children with the values we share.”

Andrew, 50, son of Brooks and Kate Firestone, and Ivana, 47, may no longer be a couple, but they are committed to being a family cheering from the sidelines for their children’s “happiness and success.”

The tony twosome have three children – Adam, 16, Anja, 14, and Shane, 11.

I wish them well.

Heading Back Home

Prince Harry is returning to London this week to attend the WellChild Awards in his first visit to the U.K. since losing his court battle with the Home Office over his security detail.

The Duke of Sussex will celebrate the achievements and resilience with youngsters and their families on Sept. 8, which is also the anniversary of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Harry will be at the ceremony for the 15th time as the charity’s patron, a position he has held for 17 years. 

The visit will no doubt revive speculation as to whether Harry will also meet with his father King Charles and elder brother the Prince of Wales.

House on the Market

Hollywood veteran Christopher Lloyd, 86, has put his six-acre Montecito estate on the market for $6,385,000.

The Back to the Future star is parting with the 2,880 square foot, three-bedroom, four-bathroom home after purchasing it eight years ago.

Lloyd and his wife Lisa Loiacono, 55, whom he wed in 2016, remodeled the sprawling space after their purchase.

The estate also has a one-bedroom guest suite.

Lawyers’ Fees Continue

Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry is not just asking for substantial cash damages in her lawsuit over her $15 million Montecito estate, she wants justice, she told a Los Angeles court.

When asked if she stood to make money, the singer said she wanted ‘justice.’ “I stand to lose money if this does not work in my favor.”

The 40-year-old, testifying via video in L.A. Superior Court, is claiming millions in damages from 85-year-old Carl Westcott for back rent and damages to the home she bought from him five years ago.

During 55 minutes of testimony Perry told the court she already owned three other homes in the Santa Barbara area when she agreed to pay $15 million for the property to Westcott in July 2020.

Just days after signing the contract Westcott, who is suffering an incurable brain disorder, tried to back out of the deal claiming he was under the influence of painkillers when he signed.

Perry and then fiancé Orlando Bloom said they wanted to keep the 9,000 square foot home to raise their daughter Daisy Dove, who just turned five.

Dinner for Two

Kevin Costner is back on the dating scene just 18 months after his bitter divorce was finalized.

The Oscar winner, 70, split from Christine Baumgartner in May 2023 after 18 years of marriage, officially closing the book on their acrimonious split in February.

The courtroom battle was brutal with the Carpinteria resident ordered to pay $63,209 a month in child support – far less than the hefty $248,000 she’d demanded.

Since then, Costner has been living the single life with the rumored likes of Jewel, Sharon Stone, and Jennifer Lopez.

Now he’s cozying up with Kelly Noonan Gores, the director and author ex-wife of billionaire Alec Gores.

Stay tuned… 

Apartment Off the Market

Prince Harry’s polo playing pal Nacho Figueras (who is also Ralph Lauren’s Polo model) and his son Hilario have splashed out $3.1 million on a three bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment in Miami, Florida, at the Jean Georges Residency.

Nacho and his wife Delfina live mainly in Palm Beach to the north, and in Argentina.

At 2,951 square feet the sprawling pad has a private elevator and an extensive 968 square foot terrace. 

Flowers on Display

Carpinteria’s Florabundance flowers are featured in the new season of Netflix’s With Love, Meghan.

In the first episode Markle highlights the joy of floral arranging and refers to the Flower Mart – a nod to Florabudance, where many of the flowers showcased in the episode were sourced.

Many of these flowers are American grown, supplied by small to medium sized farms across the West Coast and Midwest, connecting Santa Barbara County’s flower tradition to households around the world.

The moment builds on episode five in the first season when Netflix films right inside Florabundance’s cooler, Markle selecting flowers with the help of longtime wholesale floral consultant José Rabelo, giving viewers a glimpse of the local operation that has been supplying specialty flowers for more than 30 years.

Sightings

Writer T. C. Boyle at Lucky’s… Oscar winner Kevin Costner at The Nugget in Summerland… Former newswoman Maria Shriver at Pierre Lafond.

Pip! Pip!