SOTH 10.11

Alec Baldwin‘s indie Western Rust will make its world premiere at Poland’s EnergaCAMERIMAGE Festival in late November, nearly three years after the tragic on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. 

While Baldwin, a resident of Amagansett, was absent from the event’s press release, the festival plans to hold a special panel discussion following the screening, featuring insights from the film’s director, Joel Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline, and Stephen Lighthill, Hutchins’ mentor. 

Festival director Marek Zydowicz noted the significance of honoring Hutchins, who was part of the festival family. “We knew that our event was important to her, and that she felt at home among cinematographers from all over the world,” he stated.

After the tragic shooting, Baldwin, who played a lead role in the film and served as a producer, faced involuntary manslaughter charges twice. The charges were dropped in April 2023, and a judge dismissed the case with prejudice in July, citing police and prosecutorial misconduct for withholding evidence. Baldwin, who pleaded not guilty, broke down in tears when the case was dismissed.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ infamous Hamptons parties may soon be thrust into the spotlight as part of a wave of legal action against the disgraced music mogul. On Oct. 1, while Combs was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee announced he is representing 120 victims—60 males and 60 females—who intend to bring civil claims against Diddy. The lawsuits, expected to be filed within the next month, will include allegations of sexual assault, abuse, and misconduct. 

“The acts complained of in these cases that we’re going to file occurred primarily in New York, either Manhattan or the Hamptons, or occurred in California, primarily in Los Angeles, or in Florida, primarily in Miami,” Buzbee stated, adding that 25 of the accusers were minors at the time of the incidents.

Most of the alleged events took place at Diddy’s notorious afterparties, album release parties, New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July celebrations, and his “all-White” parties, according to Buzbee.

The national trial lawyer also suggested that other high-profile names could be implicated as the investigation deepens. “The day will come when we will name names other than Sean Combs,” Buzbee hinted.

Diddy’s attorney, Erica Wolff, denied the allegations and vowed to fight the cases. The Bad Boy Records founder was denied bail on Sept. 18 and remains in federal custody after pleading not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.

Katie Couric recently shared a glimpse into her Sunday routine in the Hamptons. Splitting her time between Manhattan’s Upper East Side and her East Hampton home, Couric highlighted some of her favorite local spots and activities.

Couric starts her day reading the latest political news and a trip to Goldberg’s in East Hampton, where she enjoys a hazelnut iced coffee. “It’s fun for me to go to Goldberg’s because I know the owner, Paul. Sometimes he’ll slip me a bagel so I don’t have to stand in line. I try to do that on the down low,” she quipped to the New York Times.

Her Hamptons Sundays often include a stop at Carissa’s bakery for their sought-after honey wheat bread, which she stocks up on because “for whatever reason they only make it on Sundays.” Couric also mentioned that she’s been playing “a ton of pickleball” at Hampton Racquet, where she’s made new friends and significantly improved her game. “This is not your grandmother’s pickleball,” she said. “These women are intense.”

With a love for hosting, Couric wraps up her Sundays with lunches at home, often incorporating vegetables from her own garden.

GOOP founder Gwyneth Paltrow celebrated her sixth wedding anniversary with Brad Falchuk on Sept. 29, commemorating the occasion online with a sweet snapshot of the couple kissing on a paddleboard. Paltrow simply captioned the post, “6,” reflecting the years since their intimate Hamptons wedding, where 70 guests gathered in the backyard of her Amagansett home.

While Paltrow celebrates love, Kelly Bensimon, who has long maintained strong ties to the Hamptons, is embracing a new chapter. The former Real Housewives star and real estate mogul recently opened up about calling off her own Hamptons wedding just days before the big event. 

In an appearance on the I Do, Part 2 podcast, Bensimon shared that her decision to end her engagement to Scott Litner was partly due to his refusal to sign a prenuptial agreement. The wedding was set for June in the Hamptons.

Now embracing her single life, Bensimon says she feels like she’s “18 again” and is looking forward to what’s ahead. “I’m just excited about new opportunities, and I think that’s something we’re not seeing that much of with women in their 50s,” she added.

Speaking of former Real Housewives stars, Luann de Lesseps put her Sag Harbor home on display for a recent feature in Forbes, showing off her exquisite waterfront view and a peak at some of her favorite treasures at home. 

“I’ve designed and decorated all my homes,” de Lesseps told the outlet, noting that her outdoor furniture was purchased from Rumrunner home, which has locations in Southampton and Wainscott. The sprawling property has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and her private dock is where she keeps her “badass” Boston Whaler boat, she shared.

Sightings…

East Hampton resident Robert Downey Jr. officially made his Broadway debut on Sept. 30 in McNeal, which opened to a star-studded crowd including Matt Damon, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux and Steven Spielberg.

On Sept. 29, Hamptonites flocked to Manhattan for Sabrina Carpenter’s sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. Bethenny Frankel enjoyed the night out with her daughter, Bryn, while Christie Brinkley’s daughter, Sailor Brinkley Cook said, “I’ve actually never heard MSG so loud.” Also spotted at the concert was Mia Calabrese from Selling the Hamptons.

Comedian and former Summer House star Hannah Berner praised the Southampton Animal Shelter after she and her husband, comedian Des Bishop, helped rescue a stray cat that visited their porch. The couple enlisted the shelter’s assistance and found the cat had been adopted the next day. “They have so many amazing kittens and cats right now if you need some purr therapy,” Berner shared online. She also posted a photo of her breakfast at Café Volo in Westhampton Beach, joking that it “hits too hard” when it comes to serving up a great meal.

Ramona Singer hit the tennis court on Sept. 29 before hosting friends for a Mexican dinner at her Southampton residence. Chef Andrew Molen prepared the meal for guests, which included her daughter, Avery Singer, and Kelly Dodd.