Newly single Russell Brand went on the prowl in New York over the weekend — and was spotted asking an attractive brunette for her phone number on the street.
The long-haired lothario, back to his old tricks after wife Katy Perry filed for divorce after 14 months of marriage, was seen eyeing up the talent on Saturday night at subterranean eatery La Esquina with two pals.
When the trio emerged from the downtown hot spot, Brand spied a pretty 20-something brunette he wanted to meet.
“Outside the restaurant, Russell approached a girl and asked her for her number, telling her she was ‘perfect,’ ” said a spy.
Once the object of his attention gave over her digits, Brand wasted no time. “He called her 10 minutes later,” our source said, adding that Brand and the babe were “texting all weekend, but haven’t met up yet.”
Brand was in town for Amnesty International’s “Secret Policeman’s Ball.” Onstage at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night, The comic and actor — wearing a chain from his belt that dangled provocatively between his legs — played up his womanizing reputation.
When he first took the stage at the benefit with Noel Fielding of UK show “The Mighty Boosh,” Brand mentioned there are “10 women facing death by stoning for adultery in Iran.” Fielding then said to Brand, “You slept with 10 women last night!” Brand shot back, “Yes, I’m responsible for most Iranian stonings.”
Brand didn’t specifically mention Perry during the show, aired on Epix. But he did reminisce about the night their relationship kicked off when he was host of the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. He said, mysteriously, that pop culture was, “a pink pony trotting through our brains, [bleep]ing glitter.”
Meanwhile, Perry was seen partying over the weekend in Paris at a “This is New York” bash at Le Regine. She was “dancing the night away” with friends, according to spies.
Brand’s rep didn’t get back to us.