Connelly at the Creation premiere last night (Photo by Karon Liu)
Jennifer Connelly was literally ripped apart by Astral Media bigwig John Riley for failing to show at his gala yesterday—when announcing her non-presence, he held up a picture of her and tore it in two—but she had excuses to make this morning. Or was it revenge to take? And after her heart-wrenching explanation, we imagine he’s feeling like a rather outsized asshole.
At this morning’s Creation press conference, Connelly interrupted the film talk to deliver a personal message to Riley: “I just have to say, we did go to to your party, and I would have loved to stay longer, but it was,” a fragile, struggling pause here, “the first anniversary of my father’s death.” She eked out a few more words, but then sprang the tears. With obvious difficulty, she blinked them away. “I’m sorry,” she choked. “I’m sorry.”
Somewhere, John Riley is cursing the fine talents of his “former favourite actress.” As he told his party attendees last night, “I promised my kids we would shake hands.”
UPDATE: Read John Riley’s reaction from Friday afternoon>>
[...] she said it with tears and finesse. Here’s the salient excerpt of the Astral statement, which stresses that Riley was totally [...]
September 12, 2009 at 3:19 pm | by John Riley apologizes to Jennifer Connelly; original remarks were “in jest” | Toronto International Film Festival 2009 | torontolife.com/dailyAnybody have a picture of John Riley we can shred to pieces!!!!!
September 12, 2009 at 4:02 pm | by SaylirNo, he did not rip her apart “literally” – that would mean he dismemebred her bodily, almsot certainly killing her in the process. Learn some basic English usage please.
September 13, 2009 at 5:26 am | by eyeswiredopenSub-editors, please correct my crap typing. Yes, I am aware that the words are “dismembered” and “almost” , lol
September 13, 2009 at 5:28 am | by eyeswiredopenSome people can be such egotists. As a head of a company he should have demonstrated more maturity and humility.
September 13, 2009 at 6:50 am | by Red maskI’m not sure that I’m buying this… I’ve been through the death of a parent, and while I’m not undermining the emotional impact, can we PLEASE keep in mind that this woman is a professional ACTRESS… She is paid to ACT. She knew that it was her the first anniversary of her father’s death, she is paid enormous sums of money to perform her craft and she knows her that her public support of a film is CRITICAL to promoting it. HAS ANYONE THOUGHT that perhaps it might have been her responsibility to advise her people, or the powers that be, “in advance” that this was going to be a difficult emotional time for her in the event that she might have a meltdown?
OR… do you think under the circumstances, she could have at a minimum, shook the important hands and then b-lined out of the party?
I’m sorry about the death in the family, but she’s a grown-up woman and she’s a princess and while tearing up her photo was also juvenile, she’s still the culprit in this silly little story…
September 20, 2009 at 3:47 pm | by Meow MeowHey Meow Meow,
September 20, 2009 at 8:34 pm | by CarlieConnelly DID shake hands and DID the press line. They (her and her husband) asked permission if they could leave early and they were told that was fine as long as they made an appearance, which they did. If i am hosting a party, i make it a point to greet my guests and not have them come to me. You obviously don’t understand the circumstances. Also, to accuse Connelly of ‘acting’ is disgusting. You must work for the a – hold who ripped her picture. She is hardly a princess if you knew anything about her reputation she is extremely private and she does her best to stay out of the lime light unlike other actresses. Please take your hate somewhere else. Nobody wants it here.