Why Justin Theroux chose now to propose to Jennifer Aniston - Chicago Sun-Times

By Bill Zwecker August 13, 2012 8:51PM

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 28: Actress-director Jennifer Aniston and actor-director Justin Theroux attend the 64th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards cocktail reception held at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on January 28, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for DGA)

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Updated: August 13, 2012 8:52PM

Hollywood sources tell me the long-anticipated engagement of Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux could have happened earlier, but the future groom’s Friday proposal â€" on his 41st birthday â€" was carefully timed for two reasons.

After about 15 months together, Theroux didn’t want to put his beloved in a “me too” situation â€" with their engagement coming too soon after Aniston’s ex-hubby Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie announced their intention to wed four months ago.

Also, several Tinseltown insiders who know Theroux well believe he waited till he was convinced the rumors of a Brangelina wedding last weekend were not true â€" to deny the media “another opportunity to beat that dead horse,” as a key film studio honcho put it. That source again stressed how all involved have long since moved on from Pitt and Aniston’s split in 2005.

† It is expected that the Aniston and Theroux wedding â€" not yet thought to be scheduled â€" will be kept a closely guarded event. “It will be run just like a top-secret government operation,” said an Aniston pal with a big laugh Monday. “I’m betting it will also happen somewhere overseas â€" where and when you least expect it!”

BE CAREFUL! Despite hearing lots of warnings from friends, Katy Perry reportedly is forging ahead with her budding romance with John Mayer. The two singers supposedly have quickly clicked â€" and Perry, whose divorce from edgy comic Russell Brand was finalized in July, is laughing off Mayer’s reputation as a serial dater â€" and heartbreaker.

A longtime Perry pal says the chart-topper admits to a “weakness for bad boys” but says she has “this irrational belief I can change them!”

FASHION FLASH: Mischa Barton is still acting and has a couple of films slated for release this year, along with an upcoming stage production of “Steel Magnolias” in Ireland. But the former star of “The O.C.” has been mostly focusing on her fashion biz lately. Her Mischa’s Place online site is doing well and Barton’s self-named boutique in London has really taken off â€" selling her signature lines of accessories and women’s clothing.

FACING FACTS : In the wake of being dumped as the “face” of Nivea, Rihanna not only has tweeted and publicly criticized the cosmetics giant’s CEO for axing her, but I’ve learned she dumped the huge supply of Nivea products in her various homes. The music queen reportedly did the right thing and had the beauty products delivered to a number of women’s shelters.

THEY’RE KAPUT: After 20 years of marriage, jazz saxophonist Kenny G has filed for divorce from his wife, Lyndie Benson-Goerlick, citing that old chestnut, “irreconcilable differences.” The filing follows a motion Lyndie filed for legal separation back in January. According to TMZ, the court documents indicate there is a pre-nuptial agreement, perhaps not surprising as Kenny G â€" real name Kenneth Gorelick â€" is worth an estimated $50 million. CUT ABOVE: Miley Cyrus is said to be amused by how passionate her fans are about her new, short “pixie” haircut that has a lot of folks tweeting up a storm â€" many dissing the pop star and actress’ new look. Cyrus thinks it’s all pretty silly and reminds us that millions of women in this country change up their coiffures on a regular basis.

† While a key Cyrus camp member confirms the look is part of a “more mature” style move for the entertainer, it’s not clear if it may also be connected to her reported multi-episode arc on “Two and a Half Men.” Cyrus reportedly plays a new girl in town who becomes a love interest of Angus T. Jones’ Jake Harper character.

FUNNY & IN TOUCH: A new survey conducted by PeekYou has ranked the top 50 comedians â€" at least as far as how savvy they are about web presence, digital footprint and being connected via social media. Topping the list is Brit funnyman Russell Brand, joined in the top 10 by Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, George Lopez, Jay Leno, Robin Williams, Oak Park’s own Kathy Griffin, Tracy Morgan and Jon Stewart.

BIBLICAL PROS:

Among the contestants on the new GSN game show “The American Bible Challenge,” hosted by Jeff Foxworthy and premiering Aug. 23, are local teams “Courageous Chicks” (Andrea Goeke, Robin Long, Diana Marshall), “Sacred Flame” (Faith Coons, Eric Wang, Amy Wiener), “Reese’s Pieces” (Daniel, Susan Marie and Derrek Reese) and “The Horns of Plenty” (Jonathan, Blase and Adam Horn).

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Funnyman Jeff Garlin had ’em laughing as he got his deli fix at Ashkenaz on East Cedar. ... Vanilla Ice was a big hit with the crowd at the Player Sport and Social Group’s “Big Dig” volleyball tournament at North Avenue Beach â€" performing both new songs and his old hit, “Ice, Ice, Baby!” … The Bulls’ Nazr Muhammad dined at Carnivale the other night.