Halle Berry friends fear failure of her third marriage

By Bill Zwecker

FRANCE-CINEMA-FESTIVAL

Updated:

While Halle Berry clearly believes the third time will be the charm, a number of her Hollywood pals are worried as it appears the Oscar winner will marry for the third time this weekend.

The beautiful actress hasn't had the best judgment in picking mates, and friends expect fiancé Olivier Martinez to be another disappointment - especially if he strays, as they fear.

'Right now, it all seems great and they are expecting their first child together, and all that,' said a longtime Berry buddy Wednesday. 'But that's how it was in the beginning with her first two husbands, [baseball player] David Justice and [singer] Eric Benet - and even with Gabriel [Aubry, whom she did not marry even after the birth of their daughter, Nahla].'

While another veteran associate of the actress also expressed a degree of nervousness about Berry remarrying, she did say, 'I've known Halle for many, many years, and I've definitely never seen her happier or more content. ... But in this day and age, why does she think she has to have that piece of paper? ... Of course, we all hope it will really work out this time.'

Berry and Martinez, whom she met while filming 'Dark Tide,' have been engaged since March 2012. They have revealed the child they're expecting will be a little boy.

† Even Berry herself seems surprised she is heading toward the altar, telling 'Extra' just last weekend, 'I swore it off, right? Never say never, people!'

THE SINGLE SCENE: Chicago-based Being Single magazine will host its 10th annual 'Bachelor Breakfast' Saturday at the South Loop Hotel. The event usually draws women from across the Midwest to learn more about relationships from the male perspective.

This year's panel will include Darren Washington, author of 'A Dummies' Guide to Sexual Purity & Dating'; Patrick Shaffer of City of Faith Christian Church of Chicago, noted AIDS activist and author of 'Love Again'; shipping executive Bill Bolden, and Grammy-nominated record producer Eric Miller.

The event will be hosted by Being Single publisher Bonita Bennett and moderated by Joy Bivins, curator at the Chicago History Museum. For more information, go to beingsinglemag.com.

BIG THINGS EXPECTED: The talented Steve Grand was featured on 'Good Morning America' Tuesday, thanks to the meteoric rise of his 'All American Boy' video on YouTube. For the final weekend of Grand's yearlong gig at the Joynt in River North, club owner Stanley Wozniak expects a flock of folks - including record label reps and touring managers for the singer, who currently is unsigned.

MORE MUSIC: Anita Baker has canceled her concert Saturday at Ravinia. No reason was stated, but Baker also called off a June 29 show at Wolf Trap in Virginia. Refunds will be automatically applied to original payment method.

† The one-and-only Chicago music legend Milt Trenier will be back by popular demand at Untitled Show Lounge, 111 W. Kinzie - with the fun all starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: We're sure to get lots of rocker sightings around town with Taste of Chicago in gear. Delta Spirit (performing at Taste with fun.) was spotted Tuesday night dining at Nellcote in the West Loop, while Karmin (here with the Jonas Brothers at Northerly Island) got a burger fix at River North's 25 Degrees.