Brad’s $400K divorce party  

Seen making a low-key exit from the Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, California, Brad Pitt had spent the previous night hosting a lavish, no-expense-spared party for his closest A-list friends to celebrate his
new-found independence.

Following on from a major breakthrough in his bitter custody battle with Angelina Jolie, sources close to the Hollywood star reveal Brad marked the occasion with a $400,000 ‘divorce party’.

‘This was a special gathering for Brad to celebrate his freedom,’ an insider informs New Idea.

Many of Hollywood’s movers and shakers were said to be in attendance at the intimate yet expensive soiree, such as Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Courteney Cox, Brad’s Allied co-star Marion Cotillard, Bradley Cooper, Benicio del Toro and Brad’s loyal divorce lawyer Lance Spiegel.

‘Brad hired an entire floor of the hotel, where he’s been staying for the past few days. They drank Champagne, feasted on seafood and stayed up all night watching movies,’ the source continued.

It certainly was a lavish affair, with rumours that rock star Melissa Etheridge performed a private set at the joyous celebration. Brad’s assistants were also seen trailing a large bunch of gold and white helium-filled balloons behind them, and carting boxes of leftover alcohol – which included pricey bottles of red wine and Perrier-Jouet Champagne – from the party.

Indeed, Brad, 53, is even said to have forked out on individual limos to take his guests home the following day.

According to those close to the actor, the private party signals a huge change in Brad’s spirits. At one point, he was almost certain that the children he shares with Ange, 41 – 15-year-old Maddox, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne – would be permanently taken away from him.

For the full story, see this week’s New Idea, out now.