Rihannna and Chris Brown: I hate that I love you so

By Bill Zwecker July 16, 2012 7:44PM

Barbados-born singer Rihanna performs on stage at the 2012 Wireless Music Festival in Hyde Park, central London, Sunday, July 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan)

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Updated: July 16, 2012 7:58PM

Theres a slew of romantic news in the celeb world today, beginning with Rihanna.

The superstar is said to be torn between her strong feelings for her ex, Chris Brown, and her longtime pal (and reported occasional lover) Drake.

In the wake of the recent run-in between Brown and Drakes posses that led to a bad cut on Browns chin Rihanna has been seen with both men.

However, my sources tell me she still has a real connection with Brown but knows a lot of her fan base is totally opposed to her reviving a romance with the man who was convicted of physically abusing her.

A source who has long worked with Rihanna said Monday, She did meet with Chris in a Burbank restaurant the other day a place not even the sharpest paparazzi would think of. Both Rihanna and Chris Brown changed cars twice, in enclosed parking garages, just to throw the paparazzi off so they couldnt follow them.

According to the source, Rihanna is still trying to figure out a way to go public with Chris, but in a way people will be cool with.

Not an easy task.

BACHELOR BIT: While its expected former Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowskys ex-fiance, Roberto Martinez, will be the next guy to be The Bachelor, theres also new buzz that Sean Lowe dispatched by Emily Maynard last week on The Bachelorette also could ! be in th e running for the companion show.

HEADED HERE: Controversial rapper Mickey Avalon should have things rockin at Board Room on July 28 as he performs his hits, including Jane Fonda and What Do You Say? featured on The Hangover soundtrack.

REALITY RUMBLINGS: Evanstons own Maeve Quinlan perhaps best known for her long-running role as Megan Conley on The Bold and the Beautiful is delighted the reality show she created, Beverly Hills Nannies, s off and running on ABC Family. The series airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Theres also a local connection to Bravos Gallery Girls, premiering Aug. 13. Among the seven young women who dream of making names for themselves in the chic and fashionable New York City art world is Claudia Martinez of Flossmoor.

CLUB CAPER: David Arquette says his new Hollywood nightspot is a big homage to his late mother, Mardi. The actor has named the place Bootsy Bellows, his moms stage name when she worked as a burlesque dancer long before she became a marriage and family counselor.

Now theres a switch!

Arquette told the Hollywood Reporter that naming the club for his mother and decorating the place with sexy posters and photos from her burlesque years,was a way of honoring her youth.

MAKING MOVIES: Yet another Honest Abe picture is being made this time with Billy Campbell (The Killing) in Killing Lincoln, a TV movie for National Geographic Channel, based on Bill OReilly and Martin Dugards book about the assassination of our 16th president.

Not long after winning best actress in a play at this years Tony Awards, actress Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur) has been tapped to portray the iconic Janis Joplin in the last six months of her life. The movie will be directed by Sean Durkin, who made his feature film helming debut with last years acclaimed Martha Marcy May Marlene, starring Elizabeth Olsen.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Jason Sudeikis was back at Second City the other night, checking! out the new mainstage show the famed improv meccas 100th revue, Who Do We Think We Are? plus the Second Citys e.t.c. troupes Were All in This Room Together. During the Pitchfork Festival last weekend, Nellcote on West Randolph snared a bunch of the performers. Among those spied dining at the hot River West eatery were the Japandroids, the Ty Segall Band, Dirty Projectors, Feist and Baio from Vampire Weekend. Umphreys McGee keyboardist Joel Cummins brunched at Quay on East Illinois. While in town, Carlos Santana so enjoyed Rosebud on Rush, he went back three times! Not surprisingly, fans of the legendary Muhammad Ali were delighted as The Greatest made a rare Chicago appearance, dining at Rosebud Steakhouse.