Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends And Neighbors

Homeward Bound
Madonna might just be gearing up to spend a lot more time here in the Hamptons. According to several sources, the “Material Girl” is building a massive music studio inside her 10-bedroom home in Bridgehampton. 

Based on her own social media hype, it looks like the pop star has been firmly entrenched on the East End this summer. The “Queen of Pop,” (and of reinvention) been posting lots of “farm girl”-type photos around her 58-acre double-lot spread on Mitchells Lane. 

Known for her versatility and boundary pushing, the singer songwriter and actress has courted controversary throughout her lengthy career. What could possibly be next for genre-leaping “best-selling female recording artist of all time?” Perhaps a shocking collection of songs about life in the country? 

Big Deal 
Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners recently announced a partnership with streaming giant Netflix. The new relationship will focus on feature films, according to the renowned director, producer and screenwriter responsible for such blockbusters as Jaws, E.T. and the Indiana Jones franchise. 

“At Amblin, storytelling will forever be at the center of everything we do,” says the Georgica Pond-based part-time East Hampton resident. “It was abundantly clear that we had an amazing opportunity to tell new stories together and reach audiences in new ways. This new avenue for our films, alongside the stories we continue to tell with our longtime family at Universal and our other partners, will be incredibly fulfilling for me personally.” 

Spielberg and Amblin recently teamed up with Netflix on the Academy Award-nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7. His West Side Story reboot, starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler and Rita Moreno, who appeared in the original 1961 film, will be released at the end of the year. 

Enquiring Minds
East Hampton-based journalist Katie Couric has been keeping busy this past year. The Stand Up To Cancer founder, who was the first-ever female guest host of Jeopardy! back in March, has just completed a new book. Titled Going There, the memoir allows readers to learn more about her upbringing, her biggest professional triumphs and failures, her work in cancer awareness, and even a few tales about the newscaster’s various network experiences. An 11-city tour is planned in support of the book, which will be released in October. 

Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
Hamptons frequenters Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwayne Wade have joined the vaccine crusade via “Don’t Skip.” The campaign, in collaboration with Merck, encourages doctor wellness and recommended protocols for preventable diseases. 

The actress, activist, author and mother said she and her husband, a professional athlete and three-time NBA champ, were moved to act after learning of the huge drop in child-wellness visits during the pandemic. 

“If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that public health matters and we all can do our part to help protect our families and each other, says Union-Wade. “That’s why I’m encouraging parents to talk to their kid’s doctors now about getting back into the office to stay up to date with their kid’s recommended vaccinations.”

Anywear & Everywear
Cover girl Molly Sims is doing her part to make America beautiful, one piece of clothing at a time. The actress / model just launched an athleisure-themed capsule collection collaboration with Nylora. The chic and comfortable clothing is for cool girls everywhere who want to look good in the studio, on the street and anywhere in between. 

She Will Survive
Water Mill’s Jennifer Lopez, who has been spotted all over the Hamptons this summer with rekindled flame Ben Affleck, wants everyone to know that she’s having the best time of her life despite that very public split with former fiancée Alex Rodriguez. In the middle of all of the hullabaloo, she’s somehow made time to release a surprise single this past month.  

The song, “Cambio El Paso,” is all about moving on. Translated to “change the step” in English, the collaboration with rapper Rauw Alejandro is an upbeat tune’s lyrics are about a woman who leaves an undeserving man whose “life is better now without him.”