Courtney Stodden, 19, Dances With Anna Nicole Smith's Ex, 53, - 'It's Just Innocent Fun'
Courtney Stodden was photographed with Edward Lozzi, the ex-boyfriend of the late Anna Nicole Smith, at a recent red-carpet event, but the pair is said to be just friends.
The former Vh1 star, 19, stunned onlookers at Ocean Nation's Pop, Fashion, and Sport event in Los Angeles on Thursday when she posed on the red carpet alongside Lozzi, 53. While her risque outfit was enough to raise eyebrows, it was the unlikely pair's 35-year age gap which set tongues wagging. Her rep, though, insisted that they are not romantically involved.
"It's just innocent fun," Stodden's manager told E! News of Anna Nicole Smith's ex. "It seems like lots of guys have a hard time keeping their hands off of her. She is enjoying being 19. She deserves it."
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The controversial teen was seen dancing with Lozzi, who is a former White House aide turned PR guru, and at one point he was photographed embracing her.
Noticeably absent was Stodden's diamond wedding ring, which she stopped wearing in recent weeks after separating from her husband of three years, Doug Hutchison.
The "Green Mile" actor, who is also 53, made headlines around the world for marrying the aspiring pop singer in 2011 when she was just 16. The estranged couple reportedly grew apart after Stodden's appearance on "Big Brother U.K." earlier this year.
"I am feeling good. Obviously any break-up is stressful. We've gone through quite a bit as of late, but I am feeling good," Stodden told E! News.
"I couldn't neglect my desires and wanting to embrace my independence and freedom," she continued, adding that ultimately they grew apart due to "my age."
Hutchison was forced to separate from Stodden when she entered the "Big Brother" house and although it marked the first time the couple had been apart for more than 24 hours, she admittedly did not miss him "intimately."
"I missed him, but not intimately," she revealed. "I was definitely scared but I think I felt more pressured and responsible. When we got married ... I became his world ... I felt like there was a lot of weight on my shoulders."
Hutchison, who once admitted that his controversial marriage to Stodden ruined his once promising Hollywood acting career, previously explained the extent of public backlash he faced over the union.
"I got death threats calling me a pedophile, calling me a pervert. My agent dropped me, my manager said by marrying Courtney was like taking a gun and shooting my career in the head," Hutchison told Vh1 in 2012.
