The intense Hollywood couple who were the creative force behind “Burlesque” have gone their separate ways following a series of explosive fights on the set of the Cher and Christina Aguilera movie.
Sony Pictures Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper, 54, and Steven Antin, 52, his boyfriend of 20 years who got his first directing gig on the movie, reportedly had such nasty arguments that Aguilera tearfully complained to her manager, Irving Azoff.
A friend told us, “Steven moved out of their Hollywood mansion and has been living at the Sunset Tower Hotel since the end of October. He has been telling people it is over with Clint. They’ve broken up before and always got back together. Some friends expect them to reconcile, but this time Steven is saying things are different. Working together was intense.”
While Sony insists they’re still together, another source said, “They have a tempestuous relationship. It’s just too dramatic.”
Culpepper is said to have urged Antin to write and direct the $55 million story of an Iowa girl who goes from waitress to a dancer in a Sunset Strip club. Another source said, “Clint staked his reputation on putting his boyfriend in a first-time directing role on an expensive film, and it’s created gossip about his position at Screen Gems.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Culpepper poured ice tea over Antin’s head during one fight. It reported that Aguilera tearfully turned to Azoff, who told Culpepper, “Dude, she came from an abused childhood . . . You can’t yell like this.” Aguilera, who’s divorcing Jordan Bratman, is now dating set assistant Matthew Rutler.
Sony spokesman Steve Elzer strongly denied a split: “There is no truth to any of this. They remain together, so whoever is feeding this doesn’t know what they are talking about. Clint has one of the most successful track records of any studio head, and 2010 is Screen Gems’ best year yet. We could not be more supportive of him.” Antin’s rep and manager didn’t get back to us.