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The Clooney Effect

Posted June 29, 2011 by Sharon 7 Comments

This much is true. I was on Lake Como last week participating in a fabulous fam trip sponsored Central Holidays.

However, I will neither confirm nor deny rumors that I had anything to do with Oscar-winner George Clooney’s breakup with the Sardinian velina Elisabetta Canalis.

As for the insinuations that I was stalking George? Laughable. I never got any closer to his villa than the distance from the sight-seeing boat.

All I know about the situation is what I read in the media.

As I sipped my secondo cappuccino on the morning of Tuesday, June 21, I read in La Provincia that George and Ely had been spotted sharing a romantic dinner on the lake. The article featured a photo capture from The Globe Web site. “La Favola Continua” . . . “the fairytale continues” proclaimed the headline.

So, I was as shocked as everyone with the announcement a day later:

“We are not together anymore,” People.com quoted the celebrities as saying in a joint statement.

“It’s very difficult and very personal, and we hope everyone can respect our privacy.”

No reason was given for the split.

Media reports point to George’s displeasure with Elisabetta publicly using the “M” word.

As George told CNN’s Piers Morgan in a recent interview, he has tried marriage and — basta –once is enough. (Here’s a trivia nugget: George’s ex-wife, actress Talia Balsam plays the role of Mona Sterling on AMC’s Mad Men. She’s married to actor John Slattery who plays Roger Sterling.)

While us glamor-starved gawkers fret over George’s romantic relationships, the folks on Lake Como care only about his residential entanglements. His purchase of a villa on Lake Como has been very, very, very good for local tourism– “The Clooney Effect,” as Leoni Luca, Vice Sindaco for the commune di Bellagio put it.

Frankly, I think George might want to spend a little bit less time dating and focus on keeping up the property. The roof really looks as if  it needs some work.

Filed Under: Architecture, Culture, Film, Miscellany, Travel Tagged With: Elisabetta Canalis, George Clooney, Lago di Como, Lake Como

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Comments

  1. ciaochowlinda says

    July 5, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    It really cracked me up how real estate agents in the Lake Como area would advertise apartments for rent …. “near George Clooney’s residence” – as if you would be invited over for coffee or something. Interesting trivia about his ex-wife. Hope his love for things Italian continues.

    Reply
  2. LindyLouMac in Italy says

    June 30, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    It is good to be back at last catching up with your blogging activities. I think it is a shame they have broken up 🙁

    Reply
  3. Angela Cybulski says

    June 30, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Love the Mad Men trivia, Sharon! We’re addicted to the show and had no idea about the “Clooney Connection.”

    Reply
  4. Massimo Melani says

    June 30, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    Elisabetta wasn’t very able to cook and he heard about a charming “Chef” coming from his country……two candles a rich
    “Minestrone” …flask of Chianti ..the Moon ..the splendid Lake..
    and so on…
    Ah…I forgot..HE didn’t like pasta in that “Minestrone”.

    Reply
  5. Marlene Finkel says

    June 29, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    The first thing that everyone asked me upon my return from Como was “Did you meet George?” I have to reply that sadly no but the Clooney effect lives on…so near and yet so far – Maybe next time…..

    Reply
  6. Walter Sanders says

    June 29, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Not jealous. Really!

    Reply
  7. Betty Houston says

    June 29, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Sharon,
    You are the best!

    Reply

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